OUT ON THE HILL is the official blog of the Victory Congressional Interns. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of LGBTQ Victory Institute. Learn more about the internship at victoryinstitute.org/vci.
———————————–
For those who have not yet had the opportunity to ride on the Senate trains – they make a warning sound when they start. This train has a total of three stops starting at the Capitol, then going to Dirksen Senate Office Building, and then stopping at the Hart Senate Office Building, or of course, the other way around.
As a Congressional intern,, we are privileged with a pink badge that allows us to ride on these trains that the Senators and their staff ride on while going to vote on bills or briefings. This week marked my sixth week working in a Congressional Office and I have finally gained more sense of direction in terms of the buildings. Very often now, I ride on this three-stop subway ride to attend hearings or meetings on behalf of the Senator’s office.
Stepping off the train, eyes bright, chin up, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute pin on my lapel, intern badge clipped on belt, I was ready. This is a briefing I am tasked with to write a memo for, and it was regarding the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The speakers ranged from Colonels to professors at universities and they were all specialists in special topic areas. Specifically, one of the diseases discussed was breast cancer and the constituent letter I am drafting that week coincidentally happened to be on increase in funding for research and development for breast cancer. I was able to take down notes regarding the budget planning, development, research, and community impact.
Every time I leave a briefing location to head back to the office, I leave with more hope for my future self and the people I am serving. All those coffee I went on with different staff members and interns served the purpose of demonstrating who I am, what I wish to accomplish, and my will to be of assistance to those that might need it. For some time, I doubted myself and if I am truly qualified to be of representation on Capitol Hill. I am. And you are, We should be the new wave of that lavender color and my purpose is found during those very moments waiting for the train – lead, take up space, and create changes.
The train ride from Hart Senate Office Building to the Capitol may be a three stop ride, but my journey to Congress will not be. We are barely past the first stop on this ride, but I am ever so ready to go out and win.
