In the room where it happens
Photo Credit: Gaelen Morse
By Kennedy Ryan
August 18, 2023
In professor Jill Greenlee’s Gender in American Politics course, Aviva Gornick ’25 met her future mentor.
Nora Bent, the executive director of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, visited the class and shared her experiences working to advance womens’ issues at the Massachusetts State House. Gornick, a politics and sociology major, reached out to Bent shortly after her visit to inquire about internship opportunities. After a conversation and interview, Gornick was asked to join the team.
Her experience was made possible by the Hiatt Career Center's World of Work (WOW) Politics and Public Service Fellowship, funded by the Alexander P. Heckler/Governor Ann Richards Internship Fund. She spent the summer living on campus, commuting into the city, and spending three days a week at the Massachusetts State House.
Gornick participated in daily speaker series for interns, drafted memos and policy briefs, created social media content, and interacted with local organizations. The team participated in numerous fundraising efforts, such as a drive to donate menstrual products to a nearby overnight shelter, Rosie’s Place.
“I’m not sure if I’ll work on legislation in the future, but I know that I want to do my part to advance women's issues in any way that I can,” said Gornick.
