IGNITE's Blog

The time is now to step into our political leadership and show up for our communities.

Starting a college chapter with your friends may sound intimidating but trust me, it’s a lot easier than you think. In fact, it’s an intriguing experience that helps you collaborate with others, manage time efficiently, and can lead to lifelong friendships.

We often hear about changes happening at the national, state, and local levels, but what about on your school campus? Regardless of whether you’re in high school or college, there’s always a need for public service and leadership. There’s no need to wait until graduation to be an elected leader making change. Sometimes, the best person to help solve the problem is you! 

Content warning: sexual assault 

Letitia “Tish” James, the first woman elected as New York’s Attorney General and the first woman of color to serve a statewide NY office, is a passionate public servant presently paving the way for future generations of women leaders.

At twenty years old, Deja Foxx is not afraid to advocate for reproductive health, educational reform, and protecting Title X. She’s making herstory today as a young woman trailblazer who is not afraid to use her voice and fight for her rights.

Senator Mazie Hirono was born in Fukushima, Japan. Because she had an unstable father, her mother risked everything to escape to the US for a new life for her children. Once in Hawaii, their lives were challenging as she struggled to learn English and her mother worked two jobs to pay the bills. Despite the barriers, her love of learning flourished with trips to the library and a newly found passion for public service. 

We not only remember our past trailblazers but also celebrate our current HERstorymakers. From science labs to television stations to Congress, women have continued to break barriers in every field. Women win cases, run for public office, close deals, write codes, lead startups, save lives and so on. In this article, we zero in on the profiles of some of the extraordinary HERstorymakers of today and thank them for inspiring women across the country and the globe. 

As one of the youngest members of the Kansas Legislatures and an IGNITE alum, Christina Haswood is currently making strides for Indigenous women across the country. 

Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, has made strides for American women in politics. Born and raised in Michigan, she has had a long love of politics and public service. She was born to two lawyers and grew up surrounded by the importance of law and public service. Whitmer attended both undergrad and law school in Michigan at Michigan State and the Detroit College of Law, respectively.