“All men created equal;” The United States of America has come a long way from when the Founding Fathers left it. Woman have obtained most equality under law, but the glass ceiling still exists. It is most evident within the elected officials of our government. For the past five years the United States has been ranked in the high 70s and 80’s for woman involvement at the government level. In 2010 17% of the members of Congress were woman and women numbered 23% in the state legislator. In 2012 there are not only fewer woman in American politics but most of the woman who are elected to office do not decide to run until they are much older. Unfortunately, by that time they lose the power of being able to create seniority within congressional offices to chair committees, and therefore make higher level decisions.

My American Dream as 21 year old rising Senior in College is not just to point this out to the public but to take action. I owe this conviction to the non-profit 501c(3) organization Running Start. Running Start’s mission is to get young woman interested in politics by giving them the opportunity to interact woman in high level political offices, to learn the inner workings of how a political campaign works, and to improve the skills to make confident strong leaders, all at either a very low cost, or simply no cost at all. I participated in their week long program when I was 17 years old. I entered the program with minimal political knowledge (I knew who the President was) and came out with a whole new perspective on my career path, and goals in life. I began college believing in myself and did not fall back on the phrase that many woman fall into to justify not running for office, “I am not qualified enough.” Although I had not participated in student government in high school, I knew that it was never to late to make a difference. In the past 3 years I have become President of my dorm, the Treasurer of the Communications Politics and Law Association, the Secretary of my Student Government Association and learn, and a Producer on the largest all student run live production in the nation.

I am not certain if I will run for office, but with the support of organizations like Running Start, my own college community, and all of my friends and family, there is one thing I am certain of, I am qualified