Washington, D.C.
Interview Tour
2012

The air here is full of history, pride, and politics, reminding me that I’m only a small part of the whole. Yet even as a teenager from Santa Cruz, my part is an important one. We are constantly reminded in interviews that we as young people are the driving force of the future. We are reminded to vote, get educated, and become involved in any way we can. I’m afraid and honored by the faith these powerful leaders place in us. They seem so sure that we’ll be able to take over their positions and move the country in the right direction.

Washington D.C. has a presence unlike anywhere I’ve been before. We walk by the White House and imagine President Obama in the Oval Office, discussing secrets the world has yet to know. We picnic on the grass as the Washington Monument looks down upon us. We even let ourselves feel a little superior in our business clothes as we watch other school groups in their matching neon shirts. Although Washington D.C. is a city divided by the parties, there’s a unity here founded on the knowledge that everyone is passionate about something, leaving me feeling hopeful about change.

Earlier this year we were shown a documentary called Misrepresentation, which focuses on the impact media has on modern women. Since watching this film, the issue of women’s equality has been something that I am extremely interested and enthusiastic about. Therefore I am grateful that a theme of our trip so far has been the empowerment of women. Following our amazing interview with Layli Miller-Muro, we had the privilege of interviewing Susannah Shakow. Susannah founded a nonpartisan operation called the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee (WUFPAC) that encourages young women to run for political office and she currently runs an organization called Running Start. Running Start works to inspire young women to political leadership.

During the interview she spoke about one experience she had speaking with female high school students about political leadership. The students unanimously agreed that there should be more women in politics but only one girl was actually willing to run for office. She noted that many girls are not raised believing that they can have a successful political career. This reduces the number willing to try. Susannah is very clear that this needs to change. Having the opportunity to talk with an individual working to support women’s empowerment was an exhilarating experience. One of the things I most loved about Susannah was the absolute confidence that radiated from her. She never once apologized for her beliefs or wavered in her absolute confidence that women should have a bigger role in politics.

From our interviews with these women, I’ve begun to realize that the first step to getting more women involved in government is getting them to believe that they are capable of making a difference. As Susannah said, women should not have to conform to fit the standard that society has set for them, but instead be confident that they can be successful just as they are. Meeting these women has been a true inspiration for me and I will try to use their advice to be the change they are trying to inspire.

---

When we met Susannah Shakow in the lobby of her husband’s law firm, it was clear that this would be an engaging interview. She spoke with ease to a variety of students, while we set up the room. Her ability to connect with us was a theme that prevailed throughout the entire interview. What I loved about her was that I really felt she wanted to be understood and to understand a little bit about us; she wanted a conversation, not an interview and I was hoping for the same thing.

She began the conversation by saying that if there was one thing she would like us to take from the interview, it would be that every single person is capable of finding something that they are passionate about. It was clear that she had found her passion. However, what struck me went beyond her passion. Coupled with her love for her cause, she had a determination that could not be denied. She was a self-empowered woman who never let anyone discourage her from following the path that she felt was right. When we asked about where this strength came from, she mentioned that it was almost an expectation she had for herself. She had a responsibility to work for the change that she was passionate about. That combination of passion, drive, and adherence to what she believes is right is a rare and beautiful mix that I find absolutely inspiring.

I am excited about this trip because we have the opportunity to try to understand people who we never otherwise would have had the chance to meet. Not only do we get to sit down with these incredibly accomplished members of our society, we have the opportunity to truly understand the thoughts behind their actions. This is rare in any conversation. Our discussion showed me a snapshot of this woman’s remarkable life and in just one hour she was able to convey to us a little of who she is and what she stands for.

---

Susannah Shakow began her interview by informing us that the path she traveled to get to where she is has not been a straight one. This immediately caught my attention because I identified with it. I often hear people refer to their work as something they always knew they would end up doing or as something they were born to do. When someone feels they were destined to do something, I feel it is implied that they found something they enjoyed and that they were naturally good at. This being said, I found it refreshing to hear such a successful woman like Susannah say that her path to success wasn’t a sure thing.

Although I have yet to hit the peak of success, I feel that in comparison to where I thought I’d be today, I have been successful. Like Susannah Shakow, my path was not a straight one. I found this aspect of her life to be relatable and inspiring. Susannah also emphasized that you can do something you are passionate about. This taught me that I shouldn’t settle for something just because I am good at it if the passion isn’t there. I now feel confident that striving to do something I am passionate about is a better option than doing something just because I am good at it.

Today we had one of the many unique opportunities that this trip presents. Earlier in the week one of Ward’s friends, Charles Holmes, arranged an introduction to his friend Bob Elton. Bob Elton has served as the president and CEO of BC Hydro, a large Canadian power company. He currently teaches at a university and supervises countless energy and social boards.

Ward arranged for Bob Elton to join us for our morning interview with Susannah Shakow. After our interview, he walked back with us to the hostel. He ate lunch with us and we spoke about a variety of things. He told me about the many different things he balanced when he was in charge of BC Hydro. I learned that he was an English major at Cambridge. He told me that he loves books and that whenever he is stressed he goes home and reads. He talked about how studying English has made him a much clearer thinker. He talked about how reading Tolstoy has made him feel that he understands people better because Tolstoy had such an amazing understanding of human nature. Bob said that for him reading is meditative, thought enriching and a pleasurable process. I love meeting people who love books as much as I do.

After lunch we circled up the green chairs in the hostel dining room and began a group conversation with Bob. He was awesome. He was genuinely interested in talking to us. He seemed to care about our program and what each of us thought the purpose of our trip was. He was very insightful about our group dynamic, even though we were only with him for a couple of hours. We talked to him about the competition that is part of our group dynamic and he asked us if there was any external reward for competing with each other. We all said no, which made the internal competitions in the group seem silly. This led us to an interesting conversation about the nature of competition and how it can sometimes drive us to better ends and help us continue to push the envelope. We also talked about how at times it can bring out the worst in us. We didn’t end up interviewing Bob Elton; he ended up interviewing us.

I worried when reading about past years’ trips and interviews, and now when writing in this blog, about the difference between serious writing about a thing someone found to be truly important and the imitation of the same. After our interview with Layli Miller-Muro, I can much more easily accept what I have heard before as sincere. I have heard often before that in an interview the “energy of the room” changed. There is a different “energy” in the experiencing of watching and listening, a certain way things are allowed to matter, by the immediacy and thoughtfulness of someone like Layli Miller-Muro and maybe even in part by the foreignness of the 10th floor law office we were in.

Layli Miller-Muro works as a lawyer, somehow simultaneously for a large firm and the Tahirih Justice Center. She founded Tahirih 16 years ago to provide legal support and advocacy for immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence. She began her work in this area when as a law student she represented a 17 year-old named Fauziya. Fauziya was seeking asylum from a forced polygamous marriage to a much older man and from the practice of genital mutilation. This transformational case was in the court system for over two years and finally reached the Supreme Court in 1996. It established the precedent of asylum from gender-based persecution. She co-wrote a book with Fauziya about this case and used her portion of the proceeds to found the Tahirih Justice Center when she was only 23.

Throughout the interview, Layli Miller-Muro was able to balance talking about the purpose and emotion of her job with specifics and thoughts and reasoning. A lot of her ideas centered on the need for empathy, both in our laws and individually. Personally, she seemed to find a “higher calling” in her Baha’i faith, that conscious deliberation alone would have trouble providing. She viewed the politics of the women she supports as, even while often meeting with a lack of understanding and a general hostility towards immigration, an issue with a bipartisan appeal for its “unqualifiedly sympathetic” nature. The basics of what she said were generally what could be expected from someone of her position – supporting the right of women to make choices but encouraging them to not make stupid ones, providing statistics to argue that women provide a distinct value in leadership and to argue that excess immigration was not really a problem in America, but there was a lot more subtlety and articulacy in what she had to say than in these sorts of up or down, for or against categorizations. She is indeed a lawyer. I am a little worried that my standards will be thrown off by a first interview as engaging as this one. I really hope to have more serious and open discussion like this one. I want to hear more about what people who do and think a lot, do and think.

---

“There’s nothing that wakes me up faster in the morning than the thought that someone needs help.” Layli Miller-Muro is a woman who doesn’t simply speak about changing the world; she takes action every day. As part of my preparation for our Washington D.C. trip, I read Do They Hear You When You Cry, the book that Layli Miller-Muro co-wrote with former client Fauziya Kassindja. As a law student, she represented Kassindja, helping her achieve political asylum in the U.S. and escape female genital mutilation (FGM) in Togo.

During our time with Layli Miller-Muro, we discussed how we as individuals let sexism prosper and grow. Layli asked each of us to consider what our role is in furthering sexism. Everyone has their personal perspectives and I can spend countless hours trying to change them. However, if I really want to take the first step in furthering gender equality, I need to look at my own views and change the way I act. Although I have been raised to condemn sexism, it’s difficult to ignore the messages that the media and society send.

Layli Miller-Muro reminded me that we need to take a look at our own stereotypical views before we can make a change within our community. Cliché as it sounds, I left the interview feeling empowered and as if I could make a difference in the world like Layli…as long as I look inside before I try to change what’s around me. In Layli Miller-Muro’s words, “Define who you want to be as a woman and be it.”

---

“People aspire to be leaders, but they don’t always aspire to be good leaders.” Layli Miller Muro is the true embodiment of a good leader. Her energy is magnetic, her smile is authentic, and her enthusiasm is contagious. She described her experience as founder and executive director of the Tahirih Justice Center and shared with us the horrifying realities that her clients face. As she spoke, the fire in her eyes immediately drew me to the edge of my seat, and the vehemence in her words kept me there throughout the interview. The passion she has for her work was evident and that passion is what continues to drive her actions forward.

As I prepare to go off to college, the unknowns of my future are becoming increasingly daunting. What will I do with myself? How will I contribute? How can I make a difference? Layli’s words helped me realize that passion is the foundation, upon which all else will fall into place. She did not aspire to be a leader. She simply followed her passion, which eventually led her to a leadership position. This is what distinguishes a leader from a good leader, and this is what I hope to emulate as I enter a new stage of my life.

---

It’s one thing to read a summarized account of tragic events and quite another to hear it related to you in person. When Layli Miller-Muro introduced herself she began by describing some of her past cases. After her introduction, the feeling in the room dramatically changed. The high, nervous energy of 21 teenagers evaporated as we leaned forward in our seats to hear more. Layli was thoughtful and listened to our queries with intensity. When she answered them, she looked straight at the person asking the question, addressing them, feeding off their reactions, and conversing through simple eye contact and smiles. Slowly the formality of the interview format melted away and the exchanges between Layli and individual students stimulated the conversation further.

At the end of the interview, when my classmates and I took turns sharing with Layli what had struck us from the discussion, I noticed an overwhelming theme, one that rang true for my experience as well. Layli was able to captivate each student in the room by making her answers and explanations relatable.

Meeting Layli Miller-Muro was a privilege I shall be forever grateful for. Her words have caused me to re-examine my own life, motives and experiences, as well as look to my future with purpose and curiosity. Now as I approach college and embark on the rest of my life, I shall remember Layli’s passion and inspiring ability to connect with 21 nervous teenagers she had never met.

When our Values In World Thought class began preparing in February for our spring journey to Washington DC, I learned that we would interview leaders such as Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Congressman John Lewis. I was, and still am, excited to speak to a former presidential candidate and a famous civil rights leader. I admire both men.

When I reflected on this I noticed that all the people I look forward to meeting in D.C. so far are men. I thought about all the people in my life that I consider heroes and they are overwhelmingly men. Women make up about half of the world’s population, yet I could only think of a few that I consider my heroes. I have never really thought about sexism yet I realize I know very little about our female leaders. On our DC trip we will speak to many different female leaders, ranging from human rights activists to political organizers, to leading diplomats. I hope that when I speak to these different women and hear their perspectives I will be able to expand my worldview.

---

Preparing for the “Government In Action” trip to Washington, D.C. I am beginning to feel the strain of the required discipline, compounded by the reality that my final exams and SATs fall within the same time period. Ward expressed my feelings this morning when he said, “Creativity is not always convenient.” This sentiment rings very true for me, as I try to produce quality work while also juggling academic challenges. This trip is forcing me to learn a different sort of work ethic that I know will serve me well later in life. I know that when we are in the thick of the trip and working nonstop in preparation for our next interview, I will be in my element. Our collective purpose will rid me of my remaining apathy. I am apprehensive that I will not be able to work up to the standards that are expected of me, but I suspect that once we are in the thick of the trip, I will be able to achieve a quality of work that is not possible for me under normal circumstances. I seem to only be able to accomplish this level of clarity and industriousness under extreme pressure. I am curious to see how our collective energy as a group bears up under such conditions. I have faith that we can work well together, even in extenuating environments, and that we can realize this trip to it’s full potential.

---

Today, the months of excitement (and hesitation) finally reached their end. At last we boarded the Boeing 757 and jetted off toward the nation’s capital. The red-eye flight lived up to its name and by the time we reached our destination at 6:43 AM, our eyes were as red and blurry as the clouds just starting to be illuminated by the slowly rising sun. We soon reached our hostel, but fate had decreed that the red-eye would continue since our gracious hosts had not yet readied our rooms. With much needed sleep now out of the equation, we decided to wait out the time by exploring our nation’s capital.

Many wise students desired to take full advantage of our time by shopping at Forever 21 and lusting after hot Cheetos. This great idea was fortunately dismissed and instead we moved on to more erudite institutions such as the Smithsonian’s Air and Space and Holocaust museums. After our tourist activities concluded, we headed to a nearby food court and the pining for hot Cheetos began anew.

With everybody soon fed and happy, we returned to the hostel where our rooms were now ready for our occupancy. With the bags distributed to the various rooms, it was now time to renew our preparation for the coming interviews. The aftermath of the red-eye and the setting in of jetlag combined to create a limbo state in which an astounding amount of work was accomplished. As dinner came and went and the contributors starting dropping like flies, the limbo workers continued their crusade to prepare the group for the long journey ahead. I imagine the limbo effect will soon wear off with a good night’s sleep, but soon we may move into an even stranger situation as we explore the great unknown of our great nation’s capital.