Obama Scholar

Get to know Samantha Martinez, the Founder of @GageParkLatinx—a grassroots Latinx, queer, DACA, artist-led organization in Chicago. As part of our newest class of #ObamaScholars at @UChicago, she’ll be gaining new perspectives to help amplify her efforts. pic.twitter.com/OQ4YCiO54d

— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) September 23, 2021

Learning Safely

The pandemic’s impact in India has been devastating—and sadly, it also poses new barriers to girls’ education. That’s why the @GirlsAlliance is supporting three new organizations that are working to ensure that girls can keep learning safely.

Learn more: https://t.co/C6fvBT47Hk pic.twitter.com/TlqgKGg9c8

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 1, 2021

Giving Tuesday

This #GivingTuesday, meet some of the remarkable girls from the @GirlsAlliance global community, along with a few of the organizations that are supporting them during the pandemic.

And, if you’re able, donate to support global girls' education today: https://t.co/uAJh9LbSW0 pic.twitter.com/wiQePZqVSk

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) December 1, 2020

The Fight For Fair Maps

For too long, gerrymandering has contributed to stalled progress and warped our representative government. Redistri… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

—
Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 08, 2020

Ever wonder what gerrymandering is? 🤔 How it undermines our democracy and what YOU can do about it? Watch Preside… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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All On The Line (@allontheline) July 08, 2020

A Purposeful Leader

I’m thrilled that @TIMESUPNOW named @TinaTchen—one of the most brilliant and purposeful leaders I’ve ever worked wi… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

—
Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) October 07, 2019

When We All Vote

In my family, voting was a sacred responsibility, one which we never took for granted. I’m excited to be a part of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

—
Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 19, 2018

Your vote is your voice. #WhenWeAllVote, we all do better. Register and volunteer at whenweallvote.org. https://t.co/sYAxRGFNjd

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When We All Vote (@WhenWeAllVote) July 19, 2018

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Stay tuned... people.com/politics/miche…

—
Valerie Jarrett (@ValerieJarrett) July 18, 2018

Michelle's back. usat.ly/2mqSKPj

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USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 19, 2018

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Hey, friends! I’m joining @MichelleObama, @tomhanks, @Lin_Manuel, @JanelleMonae, @CP3 & @TheTimMcGraw to make sure… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Faith Hill (@FaithHill) July 19, 2018

.@MichelleObama knows just how important this is. #whenweallvote we make our voices heard and we can change the wor… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Valerie Jarrett (@ValerieJarrett) July 19, 2018

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Tu voto es tu voz. #WhenWeAllVote, todos lo hacemos mejor. Registrarse y ser voluntario en… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) July 19, 2018

We can’t sit on the sidelines. #WhenWeAllVote we elect people who represent all of us. Register to vote & volunteer… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Jussie Smollett (@JussieSmollett) July 19, 2018

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We make a difference in every single step along the path of our democracy. It’s up to all of us to register, vote,… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Tim McGraw (@TheTimMcGraw) July 19, 2018

Oh hello. Hold on I have a call...😳 Whenweallvote.org twitter.com/whenweallvote/…

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Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) July 19, 2018

More Ways To Help

Since Melania Trump's jacket said "I really don't care"... I set up ireallydocare.com Click the link and it… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

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Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) June 21, 2018

One More Way We Make Our Voices Heard For The Next Four Years

In regards to Twitter, Facebook, etc., I say use all but accompany them with her other suggestions. All forms of communication can help on the road to change

I worked for Congress for 6 years, and here's what I learned about how they listen to constituents.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

First, tweeting or writing on Facebook is largely ineffective. I never looked at those comments except to remove the harassing ones.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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Second, writing a letter to the district office (state) is better than sending an email or writing a letter to DC.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

But, the most effective thing is to actually call them on the phone. At their district (state) office. They have to talk to you there.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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We repped half a million people, it was impossible to read and respond personally to all letters. Impossible.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

This was something in particular that I cared about as a staffer and worked very hard on, but the sheer volume of emails is overwhelming

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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So, we batched them with computer algorithms and sent out form letters based on topic and position. Regardless of method received.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

But, phone calls! That was a thing that shook up our office from time. One time, a radio host gave out our district office phone # on air.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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He was against our immigration policy and told our constituents to call. And they did. All. Day. Long. All I did all day was answer phones.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

It was exhausting and you can bet my bosses heard about it. We had discussions because of that call to action.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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If we started getting a pattern of calls, I called up our DC office and asked if they were getting the same calls and we talked.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Also, recognize that your letters and your emails get seen by staffers, just like your phone calls get answered. That's the way of it.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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If you want to talk to your rep, show up at town hall meetings. Get a huge group that they can't ignore. Pack that place and ask questions.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

We held town halls consistently that fewer than 50 people showed up for. And it was always the same people. So, shake it up.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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As always, please be kind but firm with those staffers. They will listen and talk to you. I always, always did.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

If you run an advocacy group, invite local staffers to show up to your events. Let them talk to people you work with and set up meetings.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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I loved getting out of my office and meeting with advocates in immigration, healthcare, education, science, and every type of work.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Invite staffers on "field trips" and show them what it's like in your communities. Show them the work you are doing. It works.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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Are you noticing a pattern here? The staff are the ones who run the ground game for Congress. Work on helping them understand and learn.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Because, if the staff knows you, when they have a question about a piece of legislation or amendment, they will be the one you call.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

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And, that's the best I've got for you now. I hope it helps. Use your resources the best way you can and get their attention.

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

Here's a Storify of my thread if you'd like to share: storify.com/editoremilye/i…

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Emily Ellsworth (@editoremilye) November 12, 2016

no turning back

Text of speech here

President Barack Obama addresses the Families USA 16th Annual Health Action Conference, in Washington, Friday, Jan. 28, 2011. Families USA is an consumer advocacy health care organization. At left is Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack

White House video: