GIRLS MAGAZINE ISSUE 04 / DECEMBER 2019
FROM FOUNDERS TO THE FUTURE
GIRLS MAGAZINE ISSUE 04 / DECEMBER 2019
FROM FOUNDERS TO THE FUTURE
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR GIRLS 4 INTERVIEWS 2020 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY
PAGE THREE - FOUR PAGES FIVE - NINE PAGE TEN
RACE GUIDE
GIRLS MISSION STATEMENT GIRLS is a revised portfolio of interviews from a nationwide community of real, strong women. It's a magazine that is 100% all women, which is beautiful in its rarity - the magazine is a safe space FOR women ABOUT women. Created by Adrianne Ramsey, it serves as a content destination for millennial women. Read on for an engagement of feminist voices and a collaborative community for independent girls to discover, share, and connect. Front Cover Image Credit: Taken from video footage of the 2019 State of the Union Address on February 5th Back Cover Image Credit: Taken from video footage of the 2019 Impeachment Inquiry on December 18th
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: "THE FIGHT RAGES ON" BY ADRIANNE RAMSEY First and foremost, thank you for picking up this fourth edition of GIRLS Magazine. You are in for a fruitful treat. Whether you are an impassioned and dedicated activist who has attended protests and marches this year, or a first-time reader with an earnest curiosity for the sometimes exciting, sometimes confusing and maddening things that have happened in the last couple of years, the most important thing is that you are here. Your presence adds diversity and originality to a growing group of activists who are exercising their freedom of speech for the betterment of those who are oppressed and taking a step closer at finding the best compromising solutions for problems that concern all of us. Speaking out with the intent of raising awareness, addressing contradictions, and/or providing support towards the side you truly agree with is incredibly Important. It's never too late to get involved: with the right mindset and determination, you'll find a way. More than 100 women were elected Into Congress at the conclusion of the 2018 Midterm Elections. The beginning of this year began with those women being sworn in and Nancy Pelosi winning Speaker of the House, as Democrats won back majority of the House of Representatives. 2019 ended with Donald Trump impeached by the House of Representatives on two articles of impeachment, Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress, as a result of him soliciting Ukraine for information on Former Vice President and Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son Hunter. With this, Trump became the third U.S. president in history to be impeached and the first U.S. president to be impeached during his first term and while actively running for re-election. Some Republicans have referred to the impeachment inquiry and upcoming Senate trial as a coup d'etat or doomsday, whereas most Democrats are pleased that the institutions of our democracy are at work in an attempt to hold higher powers accountable for their actions. Maybe it won't end in the desired outcome - removal from office - due to the Republican majority in the Senate, but we have made our voices heard. (Continued on next page)
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: "THE FIGHT RAGES ON" BY ADRIANNE RAMSEY In this issue, five young women have voiced their impassioned opinions about Trump's impeachment and the upcoming 2020 Presidential Election - two events they deem of great importance to both themselves and the American public. Additionally, this issue contains an informative guide for those interested in watching upcoming Democratic debates and voting in the primary elections. There have been shake ups in the Democratic presidential nomination race, as noteworthy candidates such as Kamala Harris and Beto O'Rourke have backed out, and billionaire and former Mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg joined the race. Since the end of 2018, Democrats have been eager to see who will hit the ground running strong and come out swinging. With so many developments in this primary race, the entire nation has been captivated by this very close and very unpredictable election season. Thank you once again for reading GIRLS 4, and I hope that you have the most memorable and active time participating in activism. 2020 - we're ready for you!
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ERIN SILLIMAN
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AGE: 22 EDUCATION: B.S IN HUMAN BIOLOGY, WITH MINORS IN SPANISH AND GENDER STUDIES, FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COURTESY OF BETSY NEWMAN
"When Trump was impeached, I experienced restrained excitement. I have learned to rejoice in the small victories and then keep my head down and focus on the next battle. In the 2020 election, I would like to see a voter turnout that people will be proud of. I also hope that we vote for whoever we honestly think would make the best president, not just who can beat Trump. I'm choosing to remain an optimist. We've gotten scared, we've gotten angry, but we haven't really gotten anywhere. Women, POC, immigrants, and anyone that has felt oppressed under this administration should be working their asses off to ensure that there won't be four more years of this. It makes me sad to see our Democratic party still so divided. I have the strongest faith in Senator Elizabeth Warren, who would love to show us all that a qualified female candidate can win an election."
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PAULA GARCIA AGE: 22 EDUCATION: B.S. IN PSYCHOLOGY FROM CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY (SLO) COURTESY OF SOMYA LALWANI
"To be honest, I was initially unfazed by Trump's impeachment inquiry. I didn't think anything was going to come out of it and that there was no way the Senate would remove him. But then I started talking about it with people around me who gave me another perspective, which was this could only hurt him, not help him. He's not gaining any new followers, if anything he'll lose some. While I believe that if one has stayed a Trump supporter after all this time, there's no changing their mind, I have become hopeful that less people will vote for him. I'd like to see some drastic changes as a result of the 2020 election. I want to see swing states vote blue and historically red states turn blue as well. The little bubble that we lived in as a country popped after the 2016 election. We grew up believing that racism and bigotry were things of the past, but as a country we were rudely awakened with a slap In the face. In a way, we needed that. I'm very tired of older white men being given all the power. I'm not Interested in what they have to say any longer because they've had their run for long enough. I think it's time for a woman to lead and I want to see what she has to offer, so as of right now my vote is towards Elizabeth Warren."
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RACHEL LESTER
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AGE: 25 EDUCATION: B.S. IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE, WITH A MINOR IN DIGITAL STUDIES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COURTESY OF RACHEL LESTER
"I hope to see Trump voted out and a Democratic president voted in. I unfortunately don't have very high hopes for that, but I'm hoping it at least won't be a landslide victory for Trump. I think that all the Democratic primary candidates are better than Trump by virtue of not being Trump, but for also even having a shred of political experience and basic ability to speak coherently. Secondly, I think for the most part they're fine candidates. But the fact that everyone keeps saying, "Ugh, the Democrats have no one and Trump is going to win because the Democrats don't have a candidate that anyone wants to vote for" infuriates me because there are literally so many options! Just pick one and get behind them! I really wanted Kamala Harris to get the nomination, so I was really sad when she dropped out of the race. At this point I'm leaning towards Pete Buttigieg, but I'm recognizing that he's messing up more and more and becoming less and less viable. I'm open to being swayed by Andrew Yang, and for what it's worth I can't stand when people call Elizabeth Warren "crazy" because at least she has actual policy positions that she believes in! I really don't want Joe Biden to get the nomination but if he turns out to be the only one with a chance of beating Trump then I'd get behind him."
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CARRIE SCHERDER AGE: 23 EDUCATION: B.A. IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, B.S. IN HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION STUDIES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
COURTESY OF CARRIE SCHERDER
"I am definitely happy that Trump got impeached because it was very well deserved. However, I'm disappointed that the Senate probably won't remove him because I'm afraid that the same kind of illegal activities will continue to happen throughout the 2020 election. I hope to see a Democrat elected, ideally a progressive one! I really hope that social media companies step up against fake news and false advertising so that the election is fair and what our democracy originally intended! It's very clear that the United States has definitely changed for the worst since the 2016 election. We're more divided now than ever; implicitly and explicitly, there is more hate, especially towards marginalized groups. Some will just follow along with whatever Trump is saying, which is inherently hateful. But I also think people are less afraid to hate those different than them when there's constant rhetoric against others. I wish the Democratic primary race was more diverse in terms of gender, race, and age. However, I still believe that there are good options, and I will be voting for Elizabeth Warren."
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KAITLYN ENDO
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AGE: 24
EDUCATION: B.S. IN FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON "My initial reaction to Trump being impeached was relief, but I quickly became skeptical and doubtful that he will be removed from office. I hope that he gets pushed out one way or another, but I also hope that whoever is elected does what they say they're going to do regarding policy and change. I also hope that we could have a president that unites the people, but I know that we're in such a polarized political climate and the candidates that I'm personally rooting for may very well further contribute to the polarization in order to enact the types of policies that are for the greater majority, whether some Republican voters think so or not. I think the biggest way that America has changed is that it hasn't. Things have just been emphasized - there have always been bigots and racists, they just have new freedoms to express their bigotry openly because our commander in chief is a bigot and has gained support by expressing his hate for the must vulnerable and marginalized. Policies have obviously changed to no longer protect the vulnerable and marginalized and politicians aren't doing what is ethical and humane.
COURTESY OF KAITLYN ENDO Young people are more involved in politics than ever before. It's good to have people invested in the future and the future of the nation instead of passively watching and complaining as things fall apart. Unfortunately, there are way too many Democratic candidates. I appreciate the desire to take matters into their own hands and run for president, but it doesn't seem good to have less money per candidate in the long run because there's too many people running.
I've always been a Bernie fan, but I really like Elizabeth Warren as well. However, any Democratic candidate is better than Trump. I think that if Biden had run in the 2016 election he would've stood a good chance, but this time around people want to see someone who swings more left than in the middle."
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2020 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACE GUIDE UPCOMING DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES, PRIMARIES, AND CAUCUSES
The 2020 Presidential Election is considered the grand finale: it brings all of our diverse opinions together and it is up to us to set the model of respect we would most like to receive in return. Disagreements on ideas and conflicts of interest will rise throughout every block of debates and discussions. Be open-minded and listen, even though you may completely disagree - never block out the opinion of others, as it leads to ignorance. Take in people's ideas and address them within the formal structure everyone is encouraged to comply with. By making such an environment possible we, as the future movers and shakers of our nation, will demonstrate just how capable and tolerant we are of coexisting amongst a plethora of perspectives, opinions, and beliefs. - Adrianne Ramsey
Upcoming Democratic Presidential Debates:
Upcoming Democratic Primaries and Caucuses
7th Democratic Presidential Debate January 14th, 2020 Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa Will be broadcast on CNNÂ *Moderator and debate times not yet announced
February 3rd: Iowa Caucuses February 11th: New Hampshire Primary February 22nd: Nevada Caucuses February 29th: South Carolina Primary March 3rd: Super Tuesday - Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia primaries March 10th: Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, and Washington primaries March 17th: Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio primaries March 24th: Georgia Primary
8th Democratic Presidential Debate February 7th, 2020 St. Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire Will be broadcast on ABC News *Moderator and debate times not yet announced
GIRLS MAGAZINE ISSUE 04 / DECEMBER 2019
FROM FOUNDERS TO THE FUTURE