Written by: Claire Avalos, Cisneros Scholar ‘27
The power of a vote is something that is oftentimes taken for granted. While my parents have always voted in every election — local, state and federal — the act of voting seemed like something that had little value, as our representatives did not always listen to the problems our communities faced.
My time as a communications intern at the League of Women Voters of the US has taught me the impact a vote can have, the importance of making your voice heard and the powerful role communications plays in expanding voter access.
The League was established in 1920 to advocate for women’s educational opportunities regarding voting and civic engagement. While the priorities of the League have evolved over the past century, one thing has remained constant: Voter access is a nationwide challenge. In addition, women’s bodily autonomy continues to be endangered, as we are faced with mounting state- and federal-level restrictions.
The League has led the charge in combating these issues. With the upcoming election cycle and release of Supreme Court decisions this summer, I have been kept busy behind the scenes, drafting rapid responses and press releases on the latest news concerning the League.
A particularly impactful experience during my time at the League was related to the recent Supreme Court decisions in United States v. Idaho and Moyle v. United States. Since the League filed an amicus brief for the case, I had the opportunity to attend meetings with the League communications and legal teams to strategize an appropriate response to the impending decisions. While the Court’s final decision preserves emergency medical treatment under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), this is only a delay. By simply deferring the case to a lower court, the Court failed to firmly protect the lives of those who seek reproductive care. This experience underscored the crucial role of voting for me, as our choices determine who makes the ultimate decision in impactful cases like these.
My time with the League also gave me the chance to work with Press Secretary and Director of Media Relations Shannon Augustus. Her leadership style exemplifies how to be assertive while never being afraid to ask questions — two qualities that are challenging to possess as a young woman of color.
I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Shannon and all the other exceptional members of the communications team; they embody the true grit and determination that women possess to make nonprofits like the League run smoothly. This experience has helped me hone my communications skill set and given me invaluable insights that I will utilize in future roles.
Claire Avalos is a Cisneros Scholar majoring in Political Science. This summer, she is a Comunicadores intern at the League of Women Voters. Claire's views are her own and not necessarily reflective of the Cisneros Institute.
This article was originally published by Vanguard Communications.