2008 New Leaders Fellows
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Charis Goff
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD
Age: 24
School: Old Dominion University
Interests: Political and Social Activism, Media and Popular Culture, Reading, Creative Writing
Placement: EMILY's List
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Charis A. Goff is a native of the Washington, D.C. area. She graduated from Hampton University with a BA in Sociology and will receive her MA in Humanities, emphasis in Media, Politics, and Popular Culture from Old Dominion University in December 2008. Charis is currently the Major Gifts Assistant at EMILY’s List. Charis is also a member of the 2008-2009 WeLead leadership program at the Women & Politics Institute at American University, School of Public Affairs. She has traveled to South Africa to do volunteer NGO work and is interested in working on a variety of social issues in the U.S. and abroad. She plans to continue to law school and focus on politics and democracy, social justice and global human rights.
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"I would like to advance my knowledge through an intense experience through a commitment to a progressive organization. "
- Charis Goff,
2008 New Leaders Fellow |
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| More about Charis |
What particular experience has contributed to your desire to with a progressive organization and participate in the NLP? What do you hope to gain from participating?
I consider progressive organizations to be best equipped to effect positive social change because they do not have the same limitations as other groups. As a black woman, my ideas and skills will not be overlooked simply because of my race, class or gender. An internship/fellowship with the New Leaders program would allow me to combine my experience and skill sets with my passion for service. I have what I consider to be a basic involvement in social participation, from my participation in political campaigns to my advocacy work around comprehensive health education and HIV/AIDS. Now, I would like to advance my knowledge through an intense experience through a commitment to a progressive organization. As the child of two parents who were born outside of the United States, I have grown up with an international perspective that I believe has made me more well-rounded. I began my academic career as a journalism major, but quickly switched to sociology because I had a desire to be a participant in my community, rather than an observer. I have continued my studies in hopes of better understanding how our society interacts with the influences around us. The New Leaders program would not only serve as more formal work in preparation for a career of service, but as a conclusion to my graduate program that provides practical experience in applying the concepts I have been researching and expanding my knowledge base on. |
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