My name is Ella Zimbalist and I just wrapped up my junior year at Tulane. I am a Political Science and Social Policy and Practice major with a minor in Latin American Studies. On Tulane’s campus, I am a part of the Newcomb Scholars Program and I am a Community Engagement Advocate with the Center for Public Service.
This summer I am going to be interning in the Massachusetts Statehouse with Senator Jo Comerford. Comerford was recently elected from my district through a grassroots write-in campaign. She has an impressive track record of advocacy, political engagement, and leadership. I was very inspired by her campaign, and am excited and honored to be able to work for her this summer.
Through this internship, I hope to gain a better understanding of how policy is made and how state politics work. My learning objectives for this internship are:
- learning how the government works,
- learn how legislation is created,
- learn about issues around health care, housing and education in Massachusetts,
- gain an understanding of constituent representation and relations, and
- learn about issues that are important to constituents.
This internship relates to the NCI mission of educating undergraduates for women’s leadership in a number of ways. First, Senator Comerford is an excellent example of what 21st-century female leadership looks like. Her path to leadership and her impressive lifelong commitment to progressive change is admirable and inspiring.
Her grassroots and community-based campaign to me epitomizes the type of leadership we need. I have a lot to learn about what leadership looks like from women like Senator Comerford. Second, as someone who studies political science and has an interest in government and policymaking, I will gain first-hand insight and experience in these fields. I think that through this internship I will gain, understanding, knowledge, and connections that will inform my future work in the field.
The internship will be 10 weeks starting on June 3rd. In preparation, I have been following the recent work of the senator and am planning on attending some local political events regarding school funding to gain a better understanding of some of the most pressing current issues. I am looking forward to starting the internship, and very grateful to NCI for the funding that is making it possible!