Chicago ONE Congressional District Leader Nina Rodriguez discusses facing fears and making a difference.
Chicago weather can be often unpredictable and severe. Last week, there was a winter storm in Chicago, causing a mix of heavy rain and snow. Despite the winter storm, several dedicated individuals attended the ONE “Advocacy in Action” Meet and Greet at Robert Morris University.
Sharing advocacy insights with attendees at the Robert Morris University. Photo credit: Nina Rodriguez
This was my first time hosting and presenting at a ONE event. I admit I was a little nervous about presenting, largely because I was worried I wouldn’t convey the importance of ONE. However, partnering with fellow Chicago Congressional District Leader Vanessa Avila for this event eased my worries. Sharing our combined passion for ONE made presenting much easier.
Nina teaching the attendees about ONE’s mission. Photo credit: Nina Rodriguez.
Guests were welcomed to snacks while background music created an inviting mood in the classroom setting. The presentation went without a hitch, with several guests asking valuable and insightful questions about ONE. At the end of the evening, our guests seemed inspired and more than willing to write letters to both Illinois senators Mark Kirk and Richard Durbin.
Nina and Vanessa, after a very successful “Advocacy in Action” meeting. Photo Credit: Nina Rodriguez
My mother was one of the guests that night. Previously, she didn’t know much about ONE. She left that evening inspired to advocate for ONE. The next day she went to work and told her co-workers about ONE-she even convinced them to write letters to both senators! Over the same weekend, my mother engaged in a conversation about ONE with the sales associate at a local retail store, who was unaware of ONE and what ONE is doing. He was impressed, promising he was going to look more into the ONE campaign.
It’s a pretty amazing thing to see the effects an “Advocacy in Action” event could have on one person. I’m proud to have been a part of this inspiration.
Consider hosting an Advocacy in Action event in your neighborhood – for details contact, field@one.org.