Reflecting on the Time Spent Campaigning This Summer!

It’s been a little over a month since Comfort and I started working with Rob Teplitz’s campaign for State Senate in District 15. Having never worked for a political campaign before, I was unsure of what to expect and a little nervous. Rob is a fantastic candidate and I really wanted to do well. Our campaign managers seemed intimidating at first, but we soon learned that they were easygoing and very excited to have Comfort’s and my assistance with the mountain of research they had before them. At the campaign office we help Victor and Andrea scrutinize lists of names to create a database of potential donors to Rob’s campaign. It’s not the most exhilarating work, but it’s important and it’s gratifying to know that we are helping to build a foundation for this campaign so that it can really take off at the end of the summer. Compiling lists of donors, stuffing and sending out mailers, and helping to prepare for fundraisers and events takes up most of our time here at the office! It can be hectic at times (especially when we lose our Internet connection!), but we always manage to get a great deal of work done to help ease the burden on Victor and Andrea.

Last week we took a break from campaign work and drove to Pittsburgh with Caitlin for a Planned Parenthood visibility event outside of a Mitt Romney fundraiser. We had some issues securing a rental car at the last minute, but the woman at the rental agency really wanted to make sure we got on the road and went out of her way to help us. She must have been a Planned Parenthood supporter since we were all dressed up in our bright pink Women are Watching tee-shirts and sunglasses, with signs to match. In Pittsburgh we got to reunite with our Western PA friends Olivia, Phil, and Rebecca –it was great to see them and catch up on how their summer was going! We walked over to the Romney fundraiser which was held at the Duquesne Club and met another group already protesting the event. They were happy to have us join them and their megaphone helped us shout our women are watching chant throughout the city. The turnout was great, a lot of Planned Parenthood volunteers showed up and we flooded the streets with a sea of pink shirts and signs. One of our volunteers was only 3 years old! It was really exciting to have so many people walk or drive by and voice their support for our cause.

I’m so thrilled to be working with Planned Parenthood this summer. Even though it means working seven days a week and traveling back and forth from Baltimore to Harrisburg, I wouldn’t want to spend my time doing anything else. The decisions that are made this election year are especially significant for women and for anyone who supports Planned Parenthood. Knowing that I am getting involved and trying to make a difference rather than just watching from the sidelines is truly rewarding. My friends are jealous of all the amazing things I’ve gotten to do this summer and are now looking into ways that they can help out themselves. I really want to thank Planned Parenthood for offering me this incredible opportunity to get involved during such a critical time in politics. Thanks especially to Lindsey, Victor, Andrea, Caitlin, and Comfort for all their help this summer. I’m excited to keep moving forward with Rob’s campaign and I can’t wait to see the rest of the interns again in August!

-Mandee, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates in Harrisburg

Keeping Up the Good Fight for Women's Rights!

Two short months ago, I timidly entered the office of Planned Parenthood in Philadelphia, unaware of what was to come. I was excited but more nervous to start a new job that I didn't really know anything about. Now, as the summer winds down and my internship comes to an end, I can't help but feel sad and already nostalgic of the good times that were had and the hard work that was accomplished.

When I first arrived at Steve Santarsiero's campaign office in Yardley, I was greeted by lots of friendly faces, including my fellow intern and partner in crime: Heidi. Although Heidi is five years older than me, we still shared one thing in common: we are both passionate about women's rights. For months I have wanted to get involved with the issues of reproductive healthcare and women's rights (other than reading PP emails) and I was ecstatic to finally get the chance. For 2 days of the week, Heidi and I canvassed for Steve in the beautiful neighborhoods surrounding Steve's campaign office. Steve stood for education, the environment, creating jobs by infrastructure, and of course, women's rights. I was happy to be helping out a candidate who was so honest and well-intentioned. For 1 day of the week, we performed a Planned Parenthood canvass and targeted only the women of Yardley, which gave me the chance to connect with ladies of all ages who cared about healthcare and freedom of choice like I do. The other interns at Steve's office were all around my age, very friendly, and super helpful. I got along with each one of them, and within the walls of the office, we were able to get work done, talk politics, share ideals, educate each other, and most importantly, goof off. Although some days were slower than others, I still left work each day feeling like I contributed to a greater cause.

When I look back on this summer, I will remember a few highlights: working the Planned Parenthood table at the Coldplay concert, handing out condoms and getting petitions on the streets of Philadelphia for First Friday, attending one of Steve's fundraisers, and meeting some truly wonderful people who are out to make a difference in the lives of others like I am. Although this was just a summer internship, I believe I gained so much experience and knowledge from this opportunity Planned Parenthood gave me. I now feel ready to go off to college and study Politics and Feminist Studies and to show my professors and peers what Planned Parenthood is all about!

This upcoming election is going to be crucial to the lives of millions of women but I have faith that come November 6th, we will all rise together and be the strong political voice that the women of America need. My internship may be over, but my work here in this country will never be done, until every last citizen is given the equal rights that they deserve.

-Jamie Epstein, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA

Having Fun at the Heart of the Keystone State

Every Tuesday and Thursday are the days that I get to completely immerse myself in the heart of Pennsylvania at the state capitol in Harrisburg.  There is not a day that goes by that I do not get to learn more about campaign life and or learn more about Planned Parenthood while I am in Harrisburg.  Though Mandee, my intern-partner, and I do not work in the capitol building itself we are less than 30 feet across the street in the campaign office of Robert Teplitz for Senate (PA-15).  The campaign office is in a cute store front where instead of people coming in they simply stare at the campaign signs that are in the window and stare at the four of us in the campaign office until we make eye contact.  It is always refreshing to have someone actually come in and ask who Teplitz is so we can break the hums of computer keys and inform them about what Rob Teplitz stands for and what he hopes to do if elected.

            These last eight weeks we have been laying down a pretty good foundation for the campaign by number crunching and sending out mailers. Our daily tasks included completing donor research and occasionally during the week having impeccable assembly lines for mailers to get stuffed, labeled and stamped as quickly as possible.   It is very interesting watching how campaigns work and function with the tremendous amount of hard work and organization that the campaign manager, Victor Wills, and financial advisor, Andrea Berringer, put in on a daily bases.  

           
My last week of the internship has been quite busy being as though the events that we were preparing for in June were all coming up.   One event was on Saturday with the Admiral and Former Congressman Joe Sestak in the garden area behind the campaign office while the other was on the following Wednesday with Former Congressman Patrick Murphy.  Both events were equally pleasurable and it was great seeing the hard work come to light.  I actually met two people that I actually looked up to invite to the event!

      Though donor research and mailers are time consuming they have their purpose in every campaign and I know that the Teplitz Campaign truly appreciated.  I love getting the opportunity to work on a campaign where I could be exposed to so many different facets of it. I know I enjoyed working on the Teplitz campaign and I can say would still like to help out any way I can. 

- Comfort Dixon, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates in Harrisburg 

Heidi's Whirlwind of Political Adventures

The past weeks have been a whirlwind of political adventure. It began in Harrisburg where I met and bonded instantly with a group of my peers.  There is something really special that happens when you are placed with a group of so similarly like-minded people in a society that tends to view feminism and Planned Parenthood with disdain.  

The Action Camp really motivated me and sent me to the campaign office of Steve Santarsiero with the tools to make a difference.  Since starting with Steve’s campaign, I have walked door to door in 100+ degree weather, participated in a fundraiser, done super important campaign research, worked with young volunteers, and have had the privilege of talking to a lot of very supportive people.

I think my favorite part of the past weeks has been canvassing for both Planned Parenthood and Steve simultaneously in his district.  It has been a rough summer for the political canvasser but as we have seen through practice, canvassing is the most effective way to get the word out to potential voters.  It has been a pleasure canvassing for Planned Parenthood and hearing the stories and words of support from the women of Yardley.  It gives me a lot of hope to hear that there are so many women who feel strongly about Planned Parenthood.   I know that this upcoming election is going to be one of the most difficult but hopefully one of the most rewarding. 

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this internship is that Steve Santarsiero is running a very bipartisan campaign.  This is far from an angle, as Steve knows firsthand how the deadlocks in Harrisburg are harming Pennsylvania.   It has been an especially interesting experience to hear people from all political affiliations praise Steve because he does not give in to party politics.  He is therefore an excellent candidate for people who want to see changes made for the good of the people of Pennsylvania rather than strictly on party lines. 

I have also had the pleasure of doing visibility work with the Philadelphia Planned Parenthood.  We staged a rally after the Affordable Care Act was passed on the streets of Philadelphia.  The atmosphere on the streets was overwhelmingly positive and full of hope.  It was so inspiring to hear the stories of people as they signed our petition to support Planned Parenthood.  Another amazing opportunity was being asked to table the recent Coldplay concert.  Knowing that this group that has such a large audience wanted a Planned Parenthood presence at their concert is inspiring to say the least not to mention extremely exciting! 

Thank you so much Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates for allowing me to get involved during such a crucial time in politics.   This is just the start of my involvement with political campaigns and I am so excited to see where it takes me. 

- Heidi Lieberman, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA

Liz is Watching, and She Votes!

Its been a few weeks since Chazie and I arrived at the old Grizwold Plaza Post Office in downtown Erie for our first day on the job, but it seems like we’ve been there for so much longer. I’d never worked on a campaign before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wondered whether the rumors were true- like do you eat nothing but fast food? Do you work in the office until the sun goes down? Does the team act like a weird dysfunctional family? And I quickly realized the answer to all of these questions was yes. But what they don’t tell you is the feeling of accomplishment when you leave the office, and how you work long hours and eat bad food because you’re committed to something bigger than yourself. You’re never stuck at the office because you have to be, but because you want to be.

Our first two weeks consisted of sending out mailings, stuffing envelopes, and becoming a part of the team. It was a time for a lot of questions and answers, and settling in while our candidate enjoyed a vacation with his family. And then came the phone banking. Lots of calls were made as we got ready to host our two upcoming events: the Women for Wiley Committee Launch Event and a fundraiser hosted by two prominent men in the community.

I was so excited to get involved with the Women for Wiley event because of my women’s studies background and because of our role on the campaign as Planned Parenthood interns. As I made calls to remind women about the event, I was met with warm greetings and assurances that not only would they be attending our event but they were sure to be bringing some of their friends. I began to realize quickly that my candidate had made a great impression on the Erie community so far. During the events, he didn’t just give a speech, instead he was really committed to talking individually to all the attendees and asking them what issues they cared about. And when Sean talks, it’s not about party lines and who is Democrat and who is Republican. He wants to bring “Erie’s Values, Erie’s Voice” to Harrisburg and represent the citizens of the 49^th district. He is not just the right Democrat for the job- he is the right person for the job.

Sean Wiley is truly an inspiring man with a beautiful family who is honestly devoted to the people of Erie. Sean’s commitment, sincerity, and energy has inspired voters to not only write down his name on election day but to volunteer where they can and support his cause of bettering the greater community of Erie and Pennsylvania. Campaign staff members Scott and Laura have been invaluable to the campaign, and Chazie and I have been more than lucky to be a part of the #1 race in the state. I feel compelled to support my candidate in everyway possible, whether it is with women’s advocacy work or making phone calls. But more importantly, when my time as a Planned Parenthood intern comes to a close, I will be there to volunteer as much time as I can until Election Day on November 6^th. This internship has not only taught me the basics of grassroots organizing, but it has re-invigorated my passion for politics and educating voters. 3 months from now may seem like a long time, but I have hope that it will be a great day of joy for our campaign and our long hours will finally pay off.

Thank you to Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates for trusting in me to represent your values and message in this political election. I could not be more proud to be a part of your team and a part of standing up for the voices of so many women who deserve the best healthcare. “Women are watching, and we vote!”

- Elizabeth Deemer, Planned Parenthood of Western PA

Gaby is Hooked On Campaigning for Planned Parenthood

It has been a week since I started working with Heidi and Jaime for State Representative Steve Santarsiero. The first day was pretty nerve wracking specially with an excessive heat warning down upon us, which ultimately took us away from canvassing and really gave us the opportunity to have intensive discussions; and an in depth analysis of Steve's issues and outlook of how bills are working and affecting us. The campaign interns of the candidate even though younger than me by more than 6 years, were so knowledgeable, passionate and mature, and I was instantly hooked on their campaign and sentiments.

Before the campaign started, however, I also met an amazing group of people. All like-minded young individuals like me- my fellow interns, all from whom I learned different lessons in a very short amount of time. I was also trained by the most amazing staff in Harrisburg. An amazing group of mentors that for three days nourished our political and advocacy hunger, provided us with food and a place to stay, and became our rodel models in this race to the elections when we will achieve the wins to favor our cause and keep Planned Parenthood funded as it deserves to be.

As the weeks progress, I feel like a whole new world will develop before my eyes. One in which civic engagement from all Americans must be paramount to tackle so many issues that are of interest and importance for all. Most importantly, understanding what respect, tolerance and acceptance really means, allowing inclusion and a sense of belonging, values that seems to escape the people working in Harrisburg sometimes. 

This is why I am so excited to be a part of the political  advocacy work that Planned Parenthood so very needs. It is not time to sugar coat anymore what families need and want, both of which are our rights as Americans. It is time to educate the public about the truth and the facts of our most important issues, such as family planning, which as a public health student is of great concern to me. In the end, I hope to gain experience that I can in the future be proud of, because I am doing my part in what I believe is important for all.

- Gabriela Graterol, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern PA

This is not the West Wing...

     I arrived in downtown Erie at 9:40 in the morning.  Afraid that I was getting lost and running out of time to get to work, I took a chance and followed a confident looking car brandishing a bright Obama bumper sticker in the hopes that it would lead me in the right direction.  As it turned out, the very car I was following belonged to my campaign partner, Elizabeth.  We were both on time to say the least!

     As Elizabeth and I entered Sean Wiley’s campaign headquarters, we were immediately surprised by the amount of space that we had access to.  Our boss, Scott, took us for a grand tour of the headquarters.  We discovered that the building had at one point been a post office in Erie.  However, now all of the offices, lobbies, and mailrooms belonged to us!  The sheer size of the place excited both Elizabeth and I.  (It also certainly added a thrilling element to our workspace when our boss teasingly suggested the local rumors which implied that the building was haunted!)

     After being briefed on Sean’s campaign, I grew quite eager to meet our candidate.  Unfortunately, we learned that we would have to wait until next week to get to know him personally.  With Sean out of the office for a few days, Scott let us know that our work week would entail some of the less exciting, but equally important, work that is necessary in a campaign.  What did that mean for Elizabeth and I? Mail merges, letter folding, and label making galore!  Indeed, as Scott had noted, this was not the West Wing. 

“This table is about to get very sticky…..”

     Elizabeth and I quickly learned how much work went into getting the word out, gaining financial support, and providing voters with important information in every campaign.  After I unsuccessfully folded several fundraiser invitations, we decided to switch jobs.  Elizabeth’s mastery of the art of paper folding rivaled that of an origami specialist! Still, I managed to give her a run for her money when it came to sealing the envelopes.  Truly, we had both mastered our respective duties.  At the end of the day, we had labeled, stuffed, stamped, addressed, and sealed over 500 fundraiser invitations!  However, as Elizabeth had previously mused, all of that envelope sealing made for one sticky table. 

     As our first work week came to a close, Elizabeth and I could undoubtedly agree on one thing; we could not wait to put down the envelopes and instead hand out the official Sean Wiley Chap Stick and nail files at future events!  Ultimately, and all joking aside, we were proud to support and campaign for Sean Wiley under the endorsement of Planned Parenthood.  Sean’s support for Planned Parenthood, reproductive rights, and family planning made his campaign one that I was happy to be working on.  Candidates like Sean prove that women’s rights and access to safe reproductive health organizations like Planned Parenthood are essential positions that need to be a focus in all campaigns. I couldn’t wait to meet him!

-Chazie Bly, Planned Parenthood of Western PA