CAMPUS
NEWS
Student Spends Spring Break Lobbying in Washington, D.C. By Melyssa Allen
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riana Landis, ’19, spent much of her spring break in Washington, D.C., meeting with political leaders. Landis traveled with the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society to lobby for increased funding for MS, including support for research and more affordable medications. She and the lobbying team spent two days in training. She then spent a day in individual meetings with senators and congressional representatives. The Meredith College junior biology major, who was diagnosed with MS at age 4, was the youngest person on the trip to the nation’s capital. She was one of 200 testifying for their cause. “It’s such an honor to be able to do this,” Landis said. “Research is my passion, but since I have MS, advocacy is something I’ve always enjoyed doing.”
“Research is my passion, but since I have MS, advocacy is something I've always enjoyed doing.” – Briana Landis, ’19
Landis is actively involved with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and has served as the featured speaker at many annual MS Society conferences. After she returned to campus, Landis
presented about her advocacy experience in a session held during Disability Awareness Week. She shared how individuals can impact policy decisions by connecting with members of Congress about important national issues.
Students Visit Washington, D.C., for Sloan Family Student Leadership Trip By Donna Bahena, ’18
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oordinated by the Office of Student Leadership and Service, Meredith students took a trip to Washington, D.C., over spring break for the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and understanding of the history and current state of women’s rights. Students met with women from the National Women’s Party to learn about the history of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and toured the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument. During the trip, students visited the headquarters of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), where they learned about the organization and their work toward promoting policies that help women break through educational and economic barriers. They also participated in a salary negotiation workshop. Students took an illuminated tour of the nation’s capital and visited the Capitol Building, Ford’s Theatre, the U.S. Holocaust Museum, and several museums in the Smithsonian Institution. “This opportunity opened up the doors to meet friends who share a passion for creating equality among women,” said trip participant
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Yesenia Anorve-Basoria, ’19. “Seeing our history and our progression makes me realize that we have to fight every day by advocating for one another and talking about issues that affect all women.” The trip was made possible by an endowment established by Carol Sloan, ’75, and her husband O. Temple Sloan, honorary co-chair of the Meredith College Beyond Strong Campaign Steering Committee.