Monday 07/01:
Still recovering!! Today was definitely the worst day of being sick. I didn't sleep until 4am today and so I wasn't able to attend my CHCI programming. However, due to staying home I had the opportunity to send follow up emails and catch up on office work. This week we had 6+ meetings scheduled and I had to prepare for them. Isaac and I had to go over our talking points and testimonies as it would be our first time facilitating these meetings on our own. I spent the whole day practicing and laying in bed.
Tuesday 07/02:
Today was the day!! I headed to Capitol Hill with my fellow colleague and met with congressional staff. Once we arrived to Rayburn House Office Building (one of three houses) we met up with our first staff member. In these meetings we had a goal: to help inform the staff about a long going issue, heat. As a team, Isaac and I created talking points, testimonies, and questions that we would share with congressional staff to hopefully bring awareness to current heat climate issues across the nation and their impact on farmworkers and outside workers.
A main component of these meetings was to showcase the Asuncion Valdivia Heat Illness and Fatality Prevention Act of 2023. A bill written for the purpose of honoring a 53 year old male who died in California in 2004 due to a preventable heat stroke after working 10 hours straight in 105 degree weather. The main goal of the bill is to make sure that every farmworker and outside worker receives water, shade, and breaks and create these heat standards across the nation.
As a farm worker myself and a daughter of immigrant agricultural workers I have been able to use this experience as a tool to help me share my story and voice the need for my people.
Here is an example of an office we visited today. It was Rep. Delia Catalina Ramirez from Illinois. Today we had the opportunity to sit down with her congressional staff and were given the opportunity to share our story. I share this picture because the minute I turned the corner I loved the butterfly design she had outside. With the help of representatives like this one we will help many farmworkers and outside workers who deserve to be treated fairly.
*I should mention that today we also received the news that we obtained 10 co-sponsors!!!!
Wednesday 07/04:
Today I had the opportunity to attend a lunch with Marco A. Davis President and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. This dinner served as a space where six of us were able to sit down and ask him more personal questions. Let me add that the filet with potatoes and green beans was amazing !!!! A key takeaway from this lunch was that "just because you're not a political science major doesn't mean you shouldn't occupy this space" - Marco.
When I first arrived here in DC I realized that I was different and felt like I was at a disadvantage. However, now in my fifth week I've been able to learn that because I don't have a political background I see things from a different perspective. As a Biology major I have the power of bringing in a health aspect to the table and sharing my knowledge in the spaces I occupy. Although DC is very political, I've learned that you can always bring a different perspective and should always occupy any space as you belong here and anywhere!
FOURTH OF JULY:
Today I started my day off by going to the Fourth of July parade near the National Mall. I was really excited as I had never witnessed what a parade looked like here in DC. After finding a seat, the parade started and I was able to see many cool performances. There were horses, school bands, and dancers from Ecuador, Bolivia, and Dominican Republic. I even got to see Abraham Lincoln and the glizzy mobile!! This was such a cool experience and although it felt so humid, I'd definitely do it again.
Today afternoon:
After attending the parade this morning I was super excited to see the fireworks near the Capitol Building. We arrived at 8:30pm and already there were thousands of people. We were able to get front seats and listened to amazing performances such as Fantasia who performed. After watching several performances, we headed towards the National Mall area, where we were able to see the fireworks. I'll never forget this experience and hope to come back one day and relive this memory.
Friday 07/05:
Today I ended the day by heading to the Kennedy Center and enjoying a movie on the grass. We watched Washington Heights, a musical movie. After the movie, we entered the building and headed to the top and enjoyed the view. When we arrived at the top, the air and the view made me realize how grateful I am for having the opportunity to come across the country and share my voice. This opportunity is only the start and I'm more than grateful for being here, meeting amazing individuals, and experiencing policy and decision making. When I leave in a month I'm going to look back and all I'll have is these journals and pictures. The journey doesn't end here though, I will come back!! If you would've asked me a year ago "Esme where do you think you'll be in a year"? I wouldn't have told you WASHINGTON DC and now I'm here.
Always remember to shoot for the stars:)
Sunday 07/07:
Today Cindy, Gizel, Juan and I went to Sheperd's Table and volunteered to serve brunch to the homeless community. As part of CHCI we are required to volunteer for 6 hours at our desired location and so we decided that volunteering at a shelter would be a great idea. Personally, I loved it! I felt like I was helping and impacting these individuals even if it was feeding them a small portion of their daily consumption. This opportunity helped me realize even more how much need is out in the world and the changes that need to be made. Here in DC there are so many political views and decisions being made but rarely do these decisions help vulnerable populations.
This opportunity also made me think about the life I live and everything I have. My parents have always reminded me that I am no better than anyone else and that you should always give to the most needy. One day, when I become successful, I will pay back the life that I've been able to live and help those around me at a greater scale.
"Be the change you want to see not the change they want you to be"- me
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