The 2016 election feels like the official Election of the Millennial Generation. And it’s not just because certain politicians are working hard to attract young voters. Young people — and particularly young women — are involved not just in supporting candidates with their votes, they're actually key players behind the scenes. Fusion is bringing these influencers center stage, with a new, all-women, all-political “30 Under 30” video list.
In the site's rundown of the project, Rebekah Dryden, the director of elections coverage, discusses the importance of not limiting the pool to those working within the political machine.
“We didn’t want to limit our roster to campaign staffers and Washington types. Those people are hugely important, of course. But there are other people in the game, too. People working in outside groups — or even getting elected themselves. And, of course, there are incredibly influential people working entirely outside the system. For example, the #BlackLivesMatter movement has unquestionably pushed the Democratic candidates for president to address social justice and policing in ways that they simply weren’t before.”
If you think it sounds like a project that can't be done justice in just a few videos, you’re right. Fusion will be releasing the videos in bursts of two or three per week over the next few months, so you can check back weekly to see the next set of incredible women.
In this third installment, meet two young women who are bringing their activism from opposite sides of the establishment line — one working from the outside to challenge the presidential candidates on their stances on climate change, and the other joining her state’s legislators to bring a millennial perspective to policy.
Yong Jung Cho is taking candidates to task on their plans to deal with climate change.
Yvonne Dean-Bailey is only 19, but she’s representing herself and her community in the New Hampshire House.
Dionna Langford is the youngest member of the Des Moines School Board, and she's helping to bring an awareness of race and youth issues in the classroom.
Lily Adams, The Iowa communications director for Hillary Clinton, explains what the Iowa Caucuses do that are so important.
Meet Symone D. Sanders, the national press secretary for Bernie Sanders (no relation).
Lorella Praeli was an undocumented Dreamer — now she heads up Latino outreach for the Hillary Clinton campaign.
Rachel Kania, a political consultant for Rand Paul, had an existential awakening in college that led her to embrace a libertarian philosophy.
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