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