2008 New Leaders Fellows
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Emanuel Figueroa
Hometown: Puerto Rico
Age: 21
School: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Interests:
Placement: Sierra Club
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Emanuel is a graduate of the University of Michigan. A native of Puerto Rico, Emanuel is passionate about holding the government accountable for its actions. Concerned about environmental issues, Emanuel has lobbied and organized to raise awareness for the Safe Climate Act with Greenpeace, and to protect the Puerto Rican ecological corridor with the Sierra Club. Emanuel has also worked for Minority International Health Research where he translated questionnaires from English to Spanish and interviewed over 120 Chilean families. |
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- Emanuel Figueroa,
2008 New Leaders Fellow |
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| More about Emanuel |
What particular experience has contributed to your desire to intern with a progressive organization and participate in the NLP? What do you hope to gain this summer from participating?
I am not afraid to dedicate myself to a cause that I know will only be achieved in the long run. While interning as a grassroots organizer with Greenpeace I learned the importance of non-violence and direct action as a method and lifestyle which allowed me to witness injustices and then fight to change them. I have seen how we can move people forward with an idea to take action in an innovative way by actually engaging with their local, state or federal congressman. I want to be part of the New Leaders Program because I want to learn to think like a leader and progressive politician and invest the knowledge and training that I will gain into creating more progressive community leaders who are the key for social reform. Additionally, I want to know what it means to be a progressive leader because back in Puerto Rico we have a political party called the “New Progressive Party” (PNP), however they do not address the real issues of the progressive movement and are corrupt. How can a party call themselves “progressive” who measures the well-being of the island with its GDP; a party that is not inclusive of gays or immigrants, identifies itself with the Republican Party? That is why I want to become a progressive leader, to hold them accountable and in the future get involved with politics in my motherland. As a Fellow I hope to learn about those who like me want to learn what is truly meant by leadership, progressive, patriotism and to gain the knowledge I need to hold the PNP to its name and challenge its policies.
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