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On the Road: Delaware and DC

On the Road to DC

As the time to greet our new president arrived, the LEAP Ambassadors likewise neared their “D.C. destination.” But before braving overwhelming Inauguration crowds at the Capitol, the Ambassadors enjoyed quiet visits to two other states, specifically the statehouse where our nation first declared independence and the statehouse where George Washington did not reign, but did once resign.

Delaware’s State Houses

The first item on the agenda today was a visit to the Delaware State Capitol, known locally as Legislative Hall, and the old statehouse where the state legislature used to meet. We began with a tour of the statehouse provided by a most enthusiastic tour guide, Mr. Thomas Welch. Interestingly, the retired docent has been giving tours since the building was re-opened to the public in 2007. He explained in great detail the history of how Delaware broke away from Pennsylvania, use of the old capital by both state and county governments, and the history of many of the delegates who served in the earliest years of Delaware’s statehood. The building itself was initially used both as a county courthouse (on the first floor)…

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Dover, Delaware, Old Statehouse, Courtroom
Original Dover Courthouse/Courtroom

and the House and Senate chambers of the state legislature (on the upper level). In the first few years of their statehood, Delaware had only nine state Senators…

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Dover, Delaware, State Senate
Old Delaware State Senate

…and twenty-one Representatives…

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Dover, Delaware, House of Representatives
Old Delaware House of Representatives

…one of whom, Allen McLane, Mr. Welch has gone on to learn about extensively, including lecturing statewide and writing McLane’s biography.

The newer capitol building in use is much larger, though not the most opulent of the state capitols LEAPsters have visited.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Dover, Delaware, State Legislature
Delaware State Legislature

The building has undergone renovations since its original construction, with many of the windows in both House and Senate chambers once on exterior walls now blocked by new interior walls. To make the space more aesthetically pleasing, the Legislature hired Jack Lewis, a famous Delaware artist, to paint murals in the frames of the removed windows. The murals depict the history of and many famous people from Delaware, such as local hero Caesar Rodney.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Dover, Delaware, State Legislature

After roaming the small building after our tour, and running into a committee hearing on marijuana legislation…

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Dover, Delaware, State Legislature
The DE State Legislature Held a Hearing on Cannabis

…and playing “Speaker of the House…”

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…we made it back to our mini-van to meander through Maryland.

Delaware State Capitol Building, SHSU, LEAP Center

Buddy’s Crabs and Ribs

Our day continued with a detour to Annapolis, Maryland. We were on the hunt for Baltimore’s crab cakes, but the siren song of still another capitol was hard to overcome. We crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and headed instead for Annapolis, MD, where we weaved through cobblestone streets on the search for some authentic East Coast seafood. After consulting with an Annapolis local, we decided on Buddy’s Crabs and Ribs. According to our new Maryland friend it was a classic, which meant it had to be good! We indulged in a variety of dishes including the Seafood Gumbo and the Rockfish Annapolis (rockfish covered with a creamy crab sauce served over a bed of rice). We enjoyed eating “local,” the hot lunch welcome on another chilly day.

Maryland’s State House

A short walk to the Capitol building allowed us to embark on a short, self-guided tour of the Georgian-style building.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Annapolis, Maryland State Capitol Building
LEAP Ambassadors on the Steps of the Maryland Capitol Building, in Annapolis

After visiting the Delaware capitol in Dover that morning, the Maryland capitol in Annapolis was grand in comparison. Immediately upon entering, the House and Senate chambers greeted guests on opposite sides. Black and white tile lined the halls and led visitors to each room throughout the first floor. We learned that the Maryland General Assembly has 47 Senators…

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Annapolis, Maryland State Capitol Building

….and 141 Delegates in the House of Delegates.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Annapolis, Maryland State Capitol Building

Further back in the Capitol is the Old State House and the Old State Senate which explained the rich and interesting history associated with Maryland. In the Senate chambers, George Washington gave his resignation speech on December 23, 1783. He felt that his job leading the country was complete and that it was time to return home to his wife Martha. Today a bronze life-sized statue of Washington stands in the place he spoke some 234 years ago.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Annapolis, Maryland State Capitol Building, George Washington
George Washington offered his resignation from public life in 1783 in the Maryland Capitol Building

The self-guided tour also included the original paper copy of George Washington’s resignation speech. Our time in Annapolis was short and enjoyable, but we were eager for our main destination, the Capitol of the United States of America.

SHSU, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Annapolis, Maryland State Capitol Building

Washington D.C.

As we hurried past Maryland’s forested hills, our surroundings changed from a rural landscape to the hustle and bustle of the DC streets, with much accompanying honking. Even though the streets of our nation’s capital are always busy, on the eve of the Presidential Inauguration, even the narrow alleys seemed as if they would burst with cars and pedestrians. In this ocean of tourists from all over the nation and world, the LEAP Ambassadors wrestled their way towards the Washington Monument.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC

At the foot of this near pearl-colored obelisk, the immensity of the monument forced us to strain our necks in order to gaze at its glory from bottom to peak. While admiring this great American treasure, Kaitlyn wondered whether we could reach the top. Disappointed by the Monument’s temporary closure for maintenance, this crafty Ambassador chose to reach the peak from the ground with the tip of her fingers.

washington_monument_kaitlyn_touching_web
Kaitlyn Tyra Touches the top of Washington Monument

After a few pictures, we noticed–and then joined–crowds of excited Trump supporters…

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC, Blacks for Trump

…on their procession towards the Lincoln Memorial.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC

As we neared the memorial the multitude of red “Make America Great Again” hat wearers grew to the point that we could move no closer to the concert stage set up on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC

There we stood listening to excited “USA!” and “Trump!” shouts echoing from every corner of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC

At one point it was announced that President-Elect Donald Trump was present on stage and the crowd roared with animation.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC

Such a spirit was so contagious for some of the LEAP Ambassadors that they could not resist another temptation–souvenir vendors.  Several bought Trump merchandise to forever remember the 2017 Inauguration eve.  A couple in the group actually voted for Trump; others just wanted a souvenir (without Trump’s image) to document their presence at a historic event.

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC
Kaitlyn Tyra with her Trump Foam Finger

With a bag full of red hats and Trump pins, we left DC to catch only a few of hours of sleep, but not before some extremely rural looking individuals walking through the National Mall.  Of course, the media converged on them, and soon began an interview:

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC

Spanning several stops through Delaware and Maryland, and still feeling the fatigue of Philly, we would need as much rest as we could get before embarking on our presidential adventure at the crack of dawn (or as some would argue, before then).

LEAP Ambassadors, SHSU, Inauguration, Washington, DC

The LEAP Ambassadors are a bi-partisan group.  The students signed up for this trip before knowing who would win, and Trump, Clinton, and third-party supporters attended this trip to be part of this historic event.  It is the fourth presidential inauguration the LEAP Ambassadors have attended.

dc_kaitlyn_christina_washington_monument_web

Author mikeyawnPosted on January 22, 2017Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Politics, TravelTags Annapolis, DC, Delaware, Donald Trump, Dover, Inauguration, LEAP Ambassadors, Maryland, SHSU, State Capitol, WashingtonLeave a comment on On the Road: Delaware and DC

Getting to Washington, DC: A New Adventure

Jazmin Perez is a senior at SHSU majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Political Science.  Earlier this year, she attended a LEAP Center event featuring political consultant Nancy Bocskor, who has worked for more than 100 congressional candidates and members, raising more than sixty million dollars.  She also teaches at George Washington University and does various workshops and training for groups across the country.  More recently, Bocsckor has done consulting for the State Department, traveling to more than 20 developing countries to help women become more engaged with the political system. 

Wisely, Perez reached out to Bocskor following their meeting and asked to be a part of Bocskor’s life for part of this summer.  Such a step was not a natural one for Perez.  She had never flown before, never been to DC, and was new to the world of political consultants.  As Bocskor’s “right-hand woman” that is changing…

Wednesday, July 29th

By Jazmin Perez

My adventure began here. Flight 6262 to Washington, D.C. was scheduled to depart at 2:50 pm. On this day, I woke up early to prepare for the trip. In several hours I would be flying to Washington, D.C. for a month long internship with Nancy Bocskor. Although, this was my first time on a plane, I was not nervous.  Upon entering the airport I checked in my luggage and proceeded to wait calmly with my family until it was closer to boarding time. As boarding time approached, I said my goodbyes and headed toward the TSA lines, then to gate twenty –two. Much to my surprise, I was still very calm. A short amount of time elapsed before we were able to board. When we did I choose a window seat. I was still very calm. Strange really. After everyone was seated and the safety procedures were addressed, we were finally ready for take-off. Flight 6262 began to head for the runway. I was not nervous. Then very suddenly, when the engine began roaring and flight 6262 actually took off, that was when I began to smile, a smile that very quickly became a giggle and then emerged to uncontrollable but, luckily, no snorting (editor: a minor miracle).

Plane_Jazmin

I was now incredibly nervous and afraid I would not be able to make it through the three-hour flight ahead of me. Once the plane stopped roaring and we were actually flying, my nerves settled and I introduced myself to the man sitting beside me. We conversed for a bit mostly about the fact I was a first time flier which put me at ease. I was even brave enough to open up the window cover. The view was extraordinary, and the view and my building excitement carried me all the way to the nation’s capital!

Airplane_Wing

It was here that I met Ademide Adedokun, an SHSU Alumni and former President of the Junior Fellows (forerunner to LEAP), who has generously opened her home to me.   After settling into her apartment we headed to a nearby diner for dinner, and ended the day with a quick tour of the city. I was able to get a glimpse of the Jefferson Memorial, the Air Force Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Washington_Memorial

It was a great ending to an eventful day.

Thursday, July 30th

My first day started bright and early as I prepared to head to George Washington University via public transportation. I walked to the bus stop where I would get on a bus heading for Pentagon City.Getting on the bus was an adventure all on its own as to be expected of this girl. Unfortunately, I failed to have my SmartTrip card out to scan as I hopped on the bus, so I searched frantically for it in my wallet but not without other cards flying out onto the floor of the bus. (My SmartTrip card now lives in an easier to access pocket of my purse preventing a similar situation from occurring. Lesson learned.) I managed to pick it all up, scan my card, and take a seat. Anxiously awaiting my stop, I asked a sweet woman sitting beside me where I would get off to go to the Pentagon City metro, and proceeded to do so after she informed me. The Pentagon City Metro was a new challenge to overcome.

Metro_DC

Luckily the people that I encountered throughout my first day in DC on public transportation were all very helpful, and the reason I made it to George Washington University, a beautiful campus, without getting lost.  This is a different world than the compact and easily traversed campus of SHSU.

There, I had the pleasure of attending an event hosted by the Global Gender Program with the unwieldy title of “Empowering Women through Political Participation and Empowering Politics through Women’s Participation.”

Barbara Miller, one of the directors of the Global Gender Program, welcomed the audience and presented the keynote speaker, Homa Hoodfar, a professor of Anthropology at Concordia University in Canada. Dr. Hoodfar proceeded to open the floor and lay the foundation of topics on which the panelists would later expand. In her presentation, she mentioned that it would take 500 years to reach gender parity in America if we continued at this rate.

Following her presentation, there were three panels of presenters from several different countries including Ireland, Pakistan, England and the U.S.  Each briefly discussed their research on women in politics around the world.

Reidy_Speaking

Among my favorite presenters of the day were Rosalyn Cooperman, Theresa Reidy, Mona Tajali, and Susan Markham.

Rosalyn Cooperman, a professor at the University of Mary Washington, centered her presentation on women in politics in America and mentioned that, “The problem is not a supply of women, but a demand.” Theresa Reidy spoke of political parties acting as gate keepers, and emphasized that the problem is structural. Dr. Reidy is a professor at University College Cork in Ireland. Mona Tajali, a professor at Oxford University, spoke about the recent general elections held in Turkey, feminist political ideology, and parity at all levels.

Tajali_Speaking

Susan Markham, the senior gender advisor of the United States Agency for International Development, closed the event by stating that often times we forget to look at the whole picture. She also described running for office as a third shift for a woman with a family and a career.

Markham

After the event, we were invited to mingle and enjoy an array of subs, pasta, and drinks.

Finally it was time to head out, but not before getting stuck in the rain with no umbrella and having to walk several blocks to hop on the metro towards Nancy’s house. When I finally arrived and met her, we discussed the conference and she took me on a quick tour of her neighborhood.

Later that evening we met Nancy’s summer interns for a farewell dinner at Thai Noy. Thai food was another new experience for me, so I ordered one of the first items on the menu, Pad Thai with shrimp, an interesting dining experience capped off by interesting conversations and wonderful people. For dessert we shared sticky rice with mango and homemade coconut ice cream, both of which were rather enjoyable.

It was a day filled with new experiences! Despite being directionally challenge, I managed to not get lost taking public transportation, and I was welcomed to a new world!  Thank you Professor Yawn, Nancy Bocskor, Ademide Adedokun, and Chuck Jones for making this possible!

Stay tuned for more adventures!

 

 

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on August 4, 2015August 4, 2015Categories Civic Engagement, Civil Rights, Politics, TravelTags DC, Marines, Nancy Bocskor, Washington, Washington MonumentLeave a comment on Getting to Washington, DC: A New Adventure

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