This spring, IGNITE welcomes 16 interns from across the country. These young leaders bring wide-ranging experiences, creative ideas, and a deep commitment to IGNITE’s mission.
From high school and college students to recent graduates, these interns will contribute to IGNITE’s mission through advocacy, alumni engagement, program development, research, storytelling, and youth organizing. Their passions span education justice, immigrant equity, mental health, political representation, reproductive rights, and strengthening democracy.
Meet the inspiring young people who will be supporting IGNITE’s work this spring!
“One political and community issue I believe young women should have more influence over is local politics and voting. In many disadvantaged communities, there is a lack of education and awareness around how local politics work and how much they impact everyday life.”
“I did the Activate Your Advocacy bootcamp with IGNITE in May of 2025, and I just felt seen and welcomed and empowered by this incredible organization of women. One of my career goals is to work in Congress someday. I thought, what better way than to learn from an organization that aligns with my goals and with which I'm familiar? Another thing that encouraged me to apply was the big network this organization has; it feels like a big family of women supporting each other in such a difficult field as politics.”
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I am invested in our country's future and believe in IGNITE's mission to empower young women to become the next generation of political leaders. I believe that by promoting leadership and political knowledge in ourselves and others, we will be better equipped to address our nation's ongoing challenges and have a real positive impact on people's lives."
“I take pride in interning with IGNITE because of their consistent effort to uplift women and nonbinary individuals by giving them the tools to understand advocacy and mobilize. Without IGNITE, my perspective as a first-generation Latina would not be amplified within the legislative space as it is now. I am devoted to continuing to build this movement so that future generations of women do not have to fight for their voices to be heard. Politics affects everyone, and giving the power to everyday people to understand their impact strengthens our democracy. I am passionate about all of the incredible work that IGNITE has done to pioneer accessible advocacy for all young women, regardless of background and orientation.”
“I decided to intern with IGNITE due to my interest in fostering voter engagement nationwide. Youth aged 18 to 25 have the lowest voter turnout of any age group nationwide. I aspire to not only increase these statistics but also analyze why these trends have succumbed to begin with.”
“IGNITE’s mission to empower women in politics deeply resonates with my passion for championing women’s rights and fostering civic engagement. This internship is an exciting opportunity for me to gain professional experience through work that aligns with my personal values and create measurable change that uplifts the voices of future women leaders.”
“A political process I would like to learn how to navigate is lobbying. Most of what I have heard about lobbying comes from a negative perspective or the media. I would like to understand how organizations can work with legislators to effect change without being a formal part of the governmental process.”
“Interning at IGNITE will allow me to be a part of and support organizations that are passionate about women's career development and have a mission for uplifting women. It's inspiring to intern and support IGNITE in any way possible while also building my professional skills. Additionally, being in a professional space with other career-driven women is extremely empowering. It's a space I will be able to thrive and give back to through empowering others, sharing my insights, and giving back to the IGNITE community in any way possible.”
“I hope to use my lived experiences to encourage others, especially young women, to speak up, get involved, and believe their perspectives matter. I aim to help create spaces where diverse voices are valued and included in discussions about leadership and change. I’m interested in learning how nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups engage with policy and decision-makers to influence change. I want to better understand how ideas move from community needs to actionable strategies within political systems.”
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I want to be surrounded by powerful, inspiring women and gain political exposure while deepening my knowledge of legislative advocacy. I’m passionate about mobilizing college and high school students, and I’m eager to gain hands-on experience in voter engagement and other initiatives that encourage civic participation. I believe this internship will allow me to contribute meaningfully while developing the skills and insights needed to make a real impact in politics and advocacy.”
“I decided to intern with IGNITE, as I aligned with their mission and tasks. I first learned about IGNITE through these panels of women with different careers. When I got into high school, I learned more about the program and wanted to continue growing more as an individual, so I joined my school's IGNITE chapter. When I heard about this internship opportunity, it really fascinated me, as I've been getting more interested in political science and civic engagement. I wanted an activity to help me grow more as a leader and gain new experiences in networking and mentorship.”
“IGNITE develops young women to participate in and influence systems. That is the kind of learning environment I want to be in, one that treats leadership as a craft, not a performance. Every role I’ve taken has been steppingstones towards the broader policy arena, and IGNITE’s training, mentorship, and rigor will allow me to take the work I’m already doing and widen its reach.”
“Young women deserve greater influence in political and community decision-making because their perspectives matter just as much as others. Increased representation ensures that policies are more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the communities they serve. Empowering women to lead and participate strengthens not only their rights but also democracy and the well-being of communities altogether.”
“As a Communication Studies major, I am drawn to how IGNITE empowers young women and individuals to use their voices strategically and responsibly to create real change in their communities. I admire how IGNITE invests in developing leaders who are not only confident communicators but also thoughtful, inclusive decision-makers. The organization’s commitment to ethical storytelling is exactly how I approach communication.”
“I decided to intern with IGNITE because I wanted to be part of an organization where I could create tangible change while also gaining the resources and support to become the best leader I can be. I have never seen another organization that so directly supports youth in gaining positions in student government, especially young girls, and that focus immediately stood out to me. IGNITE’s mission to empower young women to engage in civic leadership, along with its values of equity, inclusion, and leadership development, strongly aligns with my own goals."
“I really admire IGNITE's dedication to empowering women, and I hope to continue to be part of such a community."
Interested in interning with IGNITE in the future? Sign up to receive alerts when applications open.