This month, Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting the women who are committed to making a difference in the world and who are at the helm of the amazing teams we work with everday. Follow along on social with #BSDWomen.
Earlier this week, we introduced you to Jamiah Adams who is fighting for civil rights at the NAACP. Now, meet Jenna Lowenstein, the VP of Digital at EMILY’s List.
1. What do you enjoy most about working at EMILY’s List?
I love that I get to introduce incredible women candidates to millions of people. EMILY’s List was founded to help elect women candidates who just weren’t getting support from existing party structures. Our founder Ellen Malcolm thought that if she got all her friends together and they threw their support behind the same candidates, they might be able to help those women candidates prove themselves, and raise more money down the line. It was like Kickstarter, for women candidates.
And for decades, thousands and then tens and hundreds of thousands of people joined EMILY’s List, and, together, helped elect 11 governors, 19 senators, and over 100 members of Congress.
I love that it’s my job to keep building the community of activists and donors doing that work. Because, if we could help elect women like Barbara Mikulski and Tammy Baldwin and Elizabeth Warren and the 100th woman in the House Alma Adams, imagine what we’ll be able to do when our community grows to 4 or 5 million strong?
Girls deserve to see themselves in their government. EMILY’s List makes sure that happens.
2. What’s one piece of advice you would give a young woman who is embarking on her career?
Take jobs you don’t know how to do (yet).
3. Who do you admire? Why?
A few weeks ago, EMILY’s List honored a Boston City Councillor named Ayanna Pressley with our Rising Star Award at our 30th anniversary gala. I was blown away by her single-minded devotion to the issues she cares about—not to mention her presence and passion. I highly recommend everyone take 10 minutes to watch Ayanna tell her story, because you’re going to hear a lot more from her in years to come.
4. What’s the first website you check in the morning?
I love the app Timehop that shows you photos you took and posts you made on social media on a given day in years past. Anyone running a social media program should take note—never underestimate the power of nostalgia.