Q: What do you do professionally?
A: As an attorney, I’ve worked as an advocate in consumer protection, elder/senior citizen advocacy, and real property rights. At the base of this advocacy is my desire to protect the public. My service to the public goes beyond being a steward of the law to include advocating for city, state, municipal, and national leaders seeking to responsibly represent the public as elected officials. I have a strong belief that thoughtful individuals should lead and serve the public, regardless of party affiliation.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in politics?
A: Since I was 17 years old, I have participated in political races and campaigns in various states. I have been engaged in state house and senate races, local alderman races, national senate races, county commission elections, United States House races, mayoral races, public service commission elections, and presidential elections. I have also worked as legislative staff for the Georgia Senate.
Q: How did you get connected with Georgia’s WIN List?
A: Behind this array of participation, I have been fortunate to have several mentors who have encouraged my continued growth and skills development as an advocate for political candidates. These mentors have nominated me to enroll in or serve on committees of such programs as Georgia’s WIN List Class of 2015, The Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorney’s Judicial and Public Office Academy, and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorney’s Judicial Review Committee.
Q: How was your experience with the Women’s Campaigns School?
A: The Yale Women’s Campaign School supplemented Georgia’s WIN List non-partisan training by means of a national case study curriculum, video consulting, image consulting and election day & night preparation. My cohort included dynamic women campaigning nationally and internationally while in the program.
Q: What did you learn through your year-long training with Georgia WIN?
A: Though I have worked on a wide range of campaigns, WIN List provided a valuable experience addressing the nuances of politics in Georgia including laws, ethics and compliance. The courses addressed areas that you cannot find in books and likely would not learn without years of tactical experience in Georgia politics. Key political influencers serve Georgia WIN by presenting and training academy participants each year.
During my WIN experience, one of my cohort classmates was inspired to launch her campaign for State House Rep after only 70% of the way through the program. There are two things that I appreciate most about WIN. It is inclusive not only of those seeking office but also of those desiring to serve as staff. Additionally, WIN not only trains candidates they vet, endorse and support them.
Q: What advice would you give women who are running for political office?
A: The advice I would give women running for office can be summed up in a recent experience of mine. I recently began training for my first triathlon. My tri-coach asked us to predict the time it would take each of us to complete a 1-mile sprint. Each woman of our 15-member team underestimated our time by an average of 3 minutes. Statistics show that women who desire public office often cease to commence due to underestimating their talent, contribution, support and resources. As my tri team underestimated our strength, endurance and ability, women leaders shy away underestimating their support structure, coalitions, financial resources and supporters. Data from WhoLeads.Us shows that women are 51% of the US population but only 27% of public office contenders and only 29% of elected officials. I challenge women who have the passion and desire to run for office to choose, then put action behind it. You are ready, you have more support than you realize, and don’t be afraid to ask.