#civicstudies

Lidya Woldeyesus (IEA’18), a freshman working toward a degree in Political Science and Civic Studies at Tufts University, is spending her summer interning at the ALL IN Democracy Challenge in Washington D.C.--a non-profit national awards program supporting and recognizing college campuses for democratic engagement. At ALL IN, Lidya has a variety of duties, such as analyzing voter data using the Blue State Digital Database, crafting national studies surveying schools’ civic progress--which is especially important in determining who receives awards. Lidya also draws press releases for campus and national voting initiatives, like the NESCAC Voting Initiative, a voting competition among New England schools.

Lidya was first exposed to civic interest during her freshman year at Tufts, while working as an ambassador for the Andrew Goodman Foundation--another nation-wide voter engagement group which sends out student advocates in support of on-campus social action (and where she is looking forward to an upcoming mission). When arriving at Tufts and immersing herself within the student-led political scene, however, she noticed that she was not just the only black person within these groups, but that much of the events themselves seemed to cater to white students.

Inclusivity became a project of hers, and she set up partnerships with on-campus cultural groups. “It’s not like they were bad people to not have already done this”, Lidya said. “It just shows you the power of diversity and inclusion. A strong democracy is an inclusive democracy”.

“Coming from the student perspective, when talking to people of color on campus, and even within my East African community at large, they don’t see voting in the US as a responsibility. And some people may feel like they’re not really American, even if they do qualify to vote. Voting is the most important mechanism to changing policy and how we are governed… Maybe I’m naïve in thinking government can have a positive impact on people’s lives, but I really do”.

Both of Lidya’s parents were active voters, and had continually vocalized their appreciation in performing that civic duty. “When my mom finally did take me to the ballot box, I had thought there would be cheerleaders and exciting an festival just because of how much my parents had hyped it up. Moving forward, I want [voting] to be something that is looked at like that,” Lidya says. “Looked at with pride. With excitement—the excitement to express your voice and… in turn, elect representatives who reflect who you are and what your community needs”.

At ALL IN, Lidya is enjoying cultivating skills that she will not only use to invigorate spaces back at Tufts, but in her community at large. “I am interested in going into non-profit work”, she recounts. For those who have known her, there is no question in her ability as an amazing leader and maker of change, as she impresses many as she remains grounded in both herself and her future.

We look forward to keeping in touch with Lidya and her ever-growing story.