Symone Sanders speaks on her journey toward success, equality
PHOTOS BY AMY LAWHON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Symone Sanders said her being focused on your goals is important when climbing up the political latter.
Emma Owen
Blazer News Reporter
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After going through 27 job interviews, Symone Sanders figured out how focus and determination are key elements of success. CNN Commentator and former National Press Secretary for Bernie Sanders, said her extensive career in politics was inspired by her collegiate internships.
“When I was a [communications associate]for the mayor’s office in Omaha, Nebraska, the city tried to recall the mayor,” Sanders said.
“They brought in a firm from Tennessee to beat the recall and they liked me so much they let me continue to work with them throughout my collegiate career. That’s when I knew I wanted to get into politics.”
“When I was a [communications associate]for the mayor’s office in Omaha, Nebraska, the city tried to recall the mayor,” Sanders said.
“They brought in a firm from Tennessee to beat the recall and they liked me so much they let me continue to work with them throughout my collegiate career. That’s when I knew I wanted to get into politics.”
Throughout her time as press secretary, Sanders said she used her position to continue bringing awareness to the rights of minorities and women.
“[On the campaign trail] I was often times the youngest person in the room, sometimes the only woman, sometimes one of only a few people of color.” Sanders said. “I learned how to navigate ageism, sexism and racism in a way that allowed me to be a vocal advocate for the things I cared about, but also get the job done.” Sanders said she learned that communications and politics intertwine, which is why she chose to pursue the role of press secretary. “Politics is nothing but a bunch of messages put together,” Sanders said.
“But people who put the messages together usually didn’t look like me. They weren’t women, they weren’t young people and they weren’t people of color.” Sanders said she uses her success to advocate for women and minorities through Girls Inc, an organization Sanders said she is the product of. “Every day I feel like I’m out here battling for the ladies,” Sanders said.
“I know the benefit of what happens when you speak directly to young women and give them the [access]to media literacy programs and STEM programs.”
Sanders said it is important for each of us to stand up for social justice. “We have to call out [racism, sexism and ageism] when we see them,” Sanders said.
“We should work to eradicate it, but we also have to learn how to navigate through it.” Sanders said her experience working on the campaign trail taught her how to address important issues facing our world today.
“Because [diversity]is still relatively new in the political arena, I learned that we have to navigate through some things,” Sanders said. “Working on the campaign trail taught me how to do that.”
Of her list of positions that she has held, Sanders said she is most proud of the work she has done in the classroom. Sanders is a fellow at University of Southern California’s Center for the Political Future, and last semester, she was a fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School.
“I enjoy opening up a space for dialogue and I am proud of the fact that I am an embodiment of the idea that you don’t have to reach a milestone to do what you want to do,” Sanders said.
Symone Sanders speaks on her experience being black, young and a woman in her field of work.
Sanders said she hopes her students take away the idea that they have the power to evoke change.
“Whatever it is you want to do, put your plan together and make it happen,” Sanders said. “We have to do the work to advocate for ourselves and put our own plans together. It might take time, but it can happen.”
Sanders said her advice to those following in her footsteps is simple.
“People should put together a plan.” Sanders said. “Create a roadmap of what it is you want to do.”
Sanders said keeping her goals in mind helped her obtain the career she wanted.
“I went on 27 interviews before I got the job with Bernie Sanders,” Sanders said. “Had I not kept laser focused on what I wanted to do, I probably wouldn’t have even made it to interview number five.”
Sanders said her final piece of advice to students would be to pursue the opportunities you want to have, not what you think you will get.
“When Bernie asked what I wanted to do,” Sanders said. “I said I wanted to be the national press secretary. I wanted to do cable television. I wanted to be his on the record spokesperson and I wanted a hand in the messaging strategy. He could have given me something less, but I asked for exactly what I wanted. We need to be intentional in what we’re asking for when we get our moment.”
Sanders said she is a “Champion of women” and finds great importance in acknowledging Women’s History Month to advocate for equity, while celebrating women’s achievements.
“[Women] have come [far], but there is still a long way to go in terms of equity for women,” Sanders said. “I think it is important to talk about the courageous women in history who have bucked the status quo and didn’t take no for an answer, because that is the way change comes about.”
