Thoughts From a Student Fellow

  Sandra Fluke: Making Our Voices Heard  

Olivia Steil, Communications Committee

Sandra Fluke is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is an attorney and women’s rights activist. Fluke has been involved in many public rights campaigns and was a featured speaker at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She came to Northern’s campus on March 20^th to talk about public interest topics such as pro-equality and political involvement.

Fluke started her speech with talking about how it is important for more people to be active with their vote so that congress can accurately represent the U.S. population. By explaining that voters hold some authority and we, the people, are what congress works for, “we make them deliver and have an opportunity and responsibility.”

She also spoke on behalf of what pro-equality means within politics. Some of the topics in this area were the female paycheck, the immigration reform, student loan interest rates, and LGBTQ rights. Specifically she talked about the Pay-check Fairness Act and also how the immigration reform needs women representation. She also felt very strongly about repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, stating that it is unfair to the LGBTQ community.

Overall, Sandra Fluke had a very strong presence and was very open to questions and communication between the crowd and herself. She was very knowledgeable and well spoken for the topics she covered.  She was extremely encouraging and motivational throughout the night.