Page 184 - PINE CREST 2015

up STORY I LISA ZHEUTLIN
Taking the Capitol by storm, Brooke Olefson leaves her mark
on our nations capital through political activism.

utspoken and confident, Brooke Olefson has never really been show.” Elated, yet still taken aback by the incredible opportunities that
one to shy away from a challenge. Channeling the need she abounded during her summer stays in the nations capital, Brooke speaks
saw for change, Brooke set off to do something, anything. As with humility and a strong desire to spark discussion, “[a woman from
0 inspiration for kicking off her political activism Brooke cites the station] called me and said, ‘I’d love to interview you about same
the Chick-Fil-A debate last year. “It made me realize that there sex marriage!’ I was like, Am I really qualified to speak about that?
are still people who are anti-gay out there. « [THE CHICK-FIL-A DEBATE] MADE But they wanted to talk to me because I’m a
That’s really where it originated.” Since the child of a same sex couple, so I did that.” The
summer after her sophomore year, she has ME REALIZE THAT THERE ARE topics of women’s rights and gay marriage are
been building her niche in the political what inspire Brooke the most. Admitting to
world. She started off working in Lois STILL PEOPLE WHO ARE ANTI-GAY” be “a pretty big feminist,” Brooke dreams ot
Frankels district office. Despite being “the fighting for the rights of women and gays as
baby in the office,” she familiarized herself with the ins and outs of the a future Congresswoman. “I want to become some sort of congressional
worlds ot these congressmen and was even able to meet Congressman member. I’d prefer to be in the Senate but you know, baby steps.” On the
Kennedy at the Capitol building to discuss same sex marriage. She was path Brooke is on, it seems like her steps are more like leaps. Who knows,
also interviewed by what she referred to as “some obscure Boston radio she might end up representing the rest of us on Capitol Hill one day.

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