Hi! My name’s Christina Cimini. I’m a junior originally from Massachusetts double majoring in Political Science and Social Policy with minors in Chinese and Economics. I spent last summer studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science, learning about American foreign policy and comparative political economy. This summer, I am excited to be staying in the states to pursue my passions of political activism and political justice by interning in Washington, DC with Planned Parenthood as a Public Advocacy Intern.
It will be my job to raise awareness and gain support for Planned Parenthood via efforts such as canvassing, phone-banking, and volunteer recruiting. I hope to learn a lot from this experience, and I’ve set 5 learning objectives for myself:
- Learn more about the policies which affect abortion and women’s health care
- Gain connections and mentors within the social activist/reproductive rights community
- Organize an effective grassroots effort in the DC area
- Learn to use NGP VAN, a voter database for the Democratic party
- Learn more about sexual/reproductive health
In working with Planned Parenthood, I hope to learn more about the specific issues we are facing today in reproductive rights as well as gain the tools to become a more effective community organizer and activist. It is Newcomb College Institute’s mission to educate undergraduates for women’s leadership in the 21st century. I believe their mission aligns very closely with the work I will be doing for Planned Parenthood, an institution which has historically proven itself to be a champion for women and minorities.
Through my internship, I will become a better leader while working with other strong, powerful women and those who strongly believe in protecting women’s rights. As I prepare to move to DC and start my internship, I have been keeping up with current news regarding reproductive rights. In particular, I have been following the terrifying developments of Ohio and Georgia, where incredibly strict abortion laws are being put in place. While seeing these laws being implemented is disheartening to say the least, I know that organizations such as Planned Parenthood are working hard to push back and are continuing to help women have their health care needs fulfilled in any way possible.
I’m excited to be even a small part of that effort, and I look forward to being able to work both with those fighting for change and those being fought for.