Not only does PLEN hold its own seminars, lectures, and events but they also collaborate with other organizations in the D.C. area to offer their members and students incredible opportunities. Recently, PLEN paired up with WGR, an organization that is dedicated to helping young women professional in the government relations arena. It is great to see two amazing organizations coming together with the same purpose of helping millennial women. Events of this kind spread a important message to the young women attending: it shows us that even in a city like D.C. with such high competition, there are events for women to attend, learn and feel comfortable.
During the panel, we heard from Libby Wuller, Director of External Engagement at Quorum; Michele Stanley, Senior Director of Government Affairs at National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association; Alpha Lillstrom Cheng, President at Lillstrom Cheng Connolly; and moderator Haley Nicholson, Policy Director at National Conference of State Legislatures.
This was such an informative event because the four women answered questions and also shared their stories about careers, education, politics and other helpful advice. It is always nice to speak with individuals who are in the outside world, and who are actually working in the public policy arena.
These events give women the chance to understand that it is okay to not know exactly what path or career you should pursue. They teach women that if you really work hard, you can achieve anything, even in the male dominated world like politics. It was great to see the interaction between both sides, engaged in questions and answers from the participants and panelists.
Ana Marku is a recent undergraduate student from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, and a minor in Women’s Studies. Ana is PLEN’s Summer 2018 Communications Intern.