Amelia Letson has always had a strong enthusiasm for civic participation and political activism. Growing up in Miami, she became familiar with political divisiveness and recognized the significance of having her voice acknowledged. As a Civic Scholar at the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, along with her past roles as a St. Louis Fellow, co-chair of WashU Votes, and legislative fellow in the U.S. Congress, Letson has dedicated the last four years to enhancing voter education, investigating progressive policies, and boosting civic involvement on campus.
“College plays such a vital role in our lives, influencing our habits, shaping our political perspectives, and determining how we engage in various issues,” Letson remarked. “When I approach a student and ask, ‘Are you registered to vote?’ that may be their initial exposure to civic engagement practices. If we can inspire concern for these matters now, I hope that they will continue to be active and engaged citizens for years ahead.”
Letson is also a proponent of reproductive rights. Merging her academic knowledge in political science with women, gender, and sexuality studies in Arts & Sciences, she has held the position of co-president for WashU’s Planned Parenthood Generation Action chapter and currently serves as a legislative assistant for Abortion Action Missouri, a grassroots organization.
In this context, Letson shares her thoughts on her civic participation at college, her leadership approach, and her aspirations for the future.
From dorm canvassing to presenting at civic engagement seminars, what have been your most significant achievements in WashU Votes?
WashU has consistently been acknowledged as an engaged campus, and I take great pride in that. Additionally, Missouri modified its voter identification law in 2022, which meant that students could no longer use their WashU ID to vote. We had to strategize on how to inform people about this change and ensure they understood their rights to vote in Missouri. I was gratified that our voter participation rate was still above the national college average, and I think it prompted students to consider voting obstacles and the reasons behind these identification laws.
You’ve been involved in student organizations, nonprofit sectors, and even the federal government. How has your perspective on leadership transformed through these experiences?
When I entered college, I believed that being a leader meant constantly directing others. Now I think it’s more about creating an atmosphere that encourages individuals to generate ideas and actively chase them. Working off-campus with individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds, and expertise has broadened my perspective. I have often been the youngest person in many settings, and it feels fulfilling when others place their trust in me and wish to hear my insights. I strive to mirror that, ensuring I listen to everyone and invite them to share from the very beginning.
What future directions do you envision for your work?
I am devoted to advocating for progressive policies and representing people in ‘red’ states. Regions like Missouri and Florida are often overlooked — one might examine the policies and assume they reflect the desires of the populace. However, that fails to encapsulate the entire reality. Missouri consistently elects conservative politicians, yet it also legalized the protection of reproductive rights in its state constitution. This reflects a broader concern: Why do our policies fail to represent the populace, and why do we incessantly blame citizens for the officials they elect? I aim to discover methods to make policies more inclusive and to provide support to individuals and communities.
The post Class Acts: Amelia Letson originally appeared on The Source.