ACTIVIST SPOTLIGHT: ACTIVIST SPOTLIGHT: JOELLE JACKSON AND LILY PAZNER
My name is Joelle Jackson, and I am a third-year undergraduate double majoring in anthropology and folklore at Indiana University. My Jewish identity is deeply rooted in social justice values, something that was instilled in me by my mom Amy, an incredible Jewish educator. I am so inspired by the work and history of the Workers Circle, and it is exciting to get the chance to support the efforts of an organization that so beautifully embodies Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof (Justice, Justice, You shall pursue). Along with the other organizing interns, I have been helping gather signatures on the College Network's Gen Z for Democracy petition and advocating for voting rights protections, DC statehood, and the end to the filibuster. Working on this project has opened my eyes to how democracy reform is the key issue upon which so many other legislative efforts depend. If we want to have a chance at repairing our world, we need a healthy democracy.
My name is Lily Pazner and I’m originally from Michigan, but currently studying Gender Studies and English at Barnard College. Ever since I’d heard about The Workers Circle while serving as an editor at jGirls+ Magazine, I’ve admired their work to uplift the voices of young people and give them the tools to make necessary and important changes. When I heard about the democracy organizer internship it felt bashert (meant to be), giving me an opportunity to get involved with an organization I’ve admired and to organize around issues that I’m passionate about. As a democracy organizer, it’s been really powerful to engage with my peers and different groups on and off campus to get them involved in fighting for the democracy that we all deserve. Being a part of the college network has been a refreshing and empowering experience as well as a welcome reminder of what can happen when we mobilize young people.
The Workers Circle would like to thank and acknowledge Lamis Idris, our other college democracy organizer. She is also doing wonderful work organizing around issues of democracy and we’ll be featuring her in a future issue!