WIN Corps is a program that provides young women with an opportunity to go through our campaign training and work on campaigns of our endorsed candidates for a modest financial stipend. WIN launched WIN Corps in 2010, and runs this program in even years. The young women selected participate in a Campaign Boot Camp led by WIN staff and guest trainers in May. Following this training, WIN Corps members were placed on targeted WIN List campaigns for the primary and then general elections.
2012 WIN Corps Members
Shontiece Epps
Our youngest WIN Corps fellow, is Volunteer Coordinator with the campaign of WIN-endorsed incumbent Rep. Dar’Shun Kendrick, who is running for re-election to state House District 93, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.
The 19-year-old freshman at Agnes Scott College is majoring in political science and also works as a crew member for Technology Production Studio in Decatur, filming, editing and assisting with production. Shontiece has volunteered with the Silver Comet Trail half marathon races and with Homeless Pet Shelter and Petsmart adoption days. She graduated from Campbell High School last year with honors, a scholar athlete patch and a varsity track certificate.
“Thanks for sending me Shontiece… I am particularly pleased that she is organized to keep up with all the papers for volunteers flyling around these days. Its sure to heat up even more after the July 4th holiday… Anyway, just wanted to tell you WIN List rocks and so does its’ interns. Thanks again!” — Rep. Dar’Shun Kendrick
Amkia Phifer
New York City native Amkia Phifer graduated this year on the Dean’s List from Oglethorpe University with a degree in political science. This entrepreneurial 24-year-old founded the university’s Amnesty International chapter and served as its president, organizing campus-wide letter writing campaigns, petitions and special events to raise awareness of domestic violence issues. Amkia was also the spring intern for Operation HOPE, organizing campus events around Financial Literacy month.
Her other internships have included the Innocence Project in New York, Oglethorpe University’s Center for Civic Engagement, contributing to The Tower campus literary magazine, and volunteering for the Bronx, NY for Obama chapter. Amkia also serves as president and secretary of African American Women Empowered, which has made her a perfect fit for Georgia’s WIN List’s WIN Corps program, and for her fellowship with Rep. Yasmin Neal, who is running for re-election to state House District 75, which includes portions of Clayton and Henry counties.
Christian Locklayer
Christian Locklayer had already interned for an elected official when she applied and was accepted to the 2012 WIN Corps program. Now working with LaDawn Blackett Jones, candidate for state House District 62, Christian draws on her experience working at Atlanta City Council – and her own dreams of serving in public office.
Christian is a rising junior at Oglethorpe University who has created her own degree program, Communications and Rhetoric Studies. She is a member of the Democratic party, of co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, and of Amnesty International. In addition to being on the Dean’s List at Oglethorpe University, she was also awarded the Pierce Leadership Award. Christian attended Wesleyan College in Macon before transferring to OU.
