By Jordan Beach
Learning experiences traveled outside the classroom this summer for sophomore Aisis Hull, who participated in the Girl Up 2018 Leadership Summit in Washington D.C.
Hull represented Reinhardt as a lobbyist for the United Nations Foundation Girl Up organization, in which she is involved as a college representative for Girl Up with Macon Magnolias and Little Latinas of middle Georgia. Hull received partial scholarship of $300 to attend the summit among 350 youth advocates from around the world.
“Girl Up Leadership Summit is a time where all girls, and even guys, can talk about equal rights for women, and in general,” said Hull.
The three-day summit included leadership training, influential speakers, skill-based workshops and leading an official lobby day at Capitol Hill. According to the Girl Up website, “the summit strives to empower, educate and embolden the potential of every youth leader there.”
An especially important topic discussed was the Protecting Girls’ Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act, one that advocates for girls with refugee status to be provided with the proper conditions for education in refugee camps.
The experience led to opportunities to talk with people of influence. While speaking with Georgia representatives Rick Allen and Sanford Bishop, Hull voiced her concerns regarding women speaking about abuse.
“Women are sometimes scared to voice their abuse in this society, and women from Girl Up are fighting for women’s rights and what needs to be done,” Hull said, recalling her conversation.
The summit left Hull inspired to never give up as a woman, and she wants other women to believe in themselves. Upon returning to campus, Hull hopes to use this inspiration and her experience to start a collegiate Girl Up chapter at Reinhardt.
“I know there are a lot of men and women who love to fight for equal rights. What I learned in D.C. at the summit will bring great value to campus, especially for women.”