Activism in Action: Emma’s Journey as an Intern at REVERB
By Emma Sanchez
From June to November, I worked with HeadCount as a Voter Engagement Intern, focusing on communications and research to convey election information to audiences on social media. In volunteering and working for both organizations, I found that music is an excellent tool for finding common ground, bridging gaps, and connecting with others. It was through organizing and volunteering that I discovered my drive for social activism. My experience working with nonprofit organizations like HeadCount and REVERB was the perfect mix of music and social issues, two of my interests.
One of the first protests I attended focused on climate change, a cause close to home. Growing up in Miami, Florida, I witnessed the effects of climate change firsthand. Unfortunately, preparing for hurricanes has become second nature for us in the South, as it is now a regular part of our weather cycle. From Publix Hurricane Cakes to pantries stocked year-round with nonperishable food and batteries, Floridians have had to adapt to hurricanes as the planet has gotten warmer and warmer.
When I was a kid, I remember my family and I ducking under a tree that had fallen over our house’s entrance and going without electricity for 10 days after Hurricane Wilma. We had to drive to the local Zoo, where the National Guard distributed ice bags and drinking water. Every storm has made me reflect on how lucky we were that damage was minimal compared to the coastal areas constantly devastated by hurricanes.
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- Aftermath of Hurricane Wilma
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- Aftermath of Hurricane Wilma
It is disheartening to see the impacts of climate gentrification in places like Little Haiti, where there is a significant lack of shade or green spaces in public spaces for the locals. This contrasts the revamped areas of the city, like the Design District, which has parks by the water and walkable streets. Miami-Dade’s Extreme Heat Toolkit to help communities manage living with dangerously high temperatures is a bandaid to a more significant problem.
Over the past year, I focused my activism locally on my college campus as the Political Director for Planned Parenthood Generation Action UF, advocating for access to reproductive healthcare in Florida with Yes on 4. The campaign’s goal was to put a stop to Florida’s extreme abortion ban. It aimed to return control over healthcare decisions to the people and, if passed, would enshrine the constitutional right to an abortion in the Florida State Constitution. It is important to me that the government should not have a say in my or anyone else’s private healthcare decisions. I participated in the campaign through canvassing, phone banking, tabling, and collecting petitions.
Although Amendment 4 did not pass (despite receiving a majority of support and falling just 3% short of the threshold) it did show us organizers one thing: we connected person to person with most Floridians. Organizing and volunteer work often goes unnoticed, and it is crucial to make an effort to connect with people. Being a resource on my campus ahead of the election, providing information about topics on the ballot and how to vote, was crucial in ensuring that everyone made their voice heard.
It was rewarding to see people on the fence about voting walk away from my table with a reason to vote. Sometimes all it takes is a two-minute conversation to show someone that voting impacts everyone and that their vote can make a difference. My efforts to educate people feeling discouraged from voting—such as creating Canva graphics and informative TikToks about voting with HeadCount—can make a difference.
Volunteering with organizations like HeadCount and REVERB taught me a similar lesson. When you stand behind a table, finding common ground helps people feel comfortable asking questions. Human connection is essential to helping your audience be open to learning about topics like Voter Registration or Sustainability. Volunteering and organizing work can be exhausting, but it is important to view the connections you make with those in your community as the goal. We find community in clubs, organizations, or even concerts!