Today’s topic is one that is almost guaranteed to elicit a groan and an eye roll from the average woman. For most of us, politics is not an interest that we pursue or enjoy, but more of a necessary evil. My guest today is seeking to change that mindset, teaching women everywhere that politics intersect our personal lives in many, many ways, and is, therefore, an interest we should cultivate.
Simone Leiro knows the importance of political involvement. She’s also acutely aware of the barriers many Americans face when they try to get involved. Simone has dedicated her career to helping people fully participate in civic life, first as the Associate Director of Online Engagement at the White House under President Obama, and how as the Engagement Lead at All In Together. In this episode, Simone shares how during her first political experience in North Carolina, she knocked on doors only to have them closed in her face, and how she heard more times than she could count, “I don’t do politics.” When asked why she’s made her passion for political involvement into a career, Simone’s mantra has become, “If you don’t do politics, then politics will do you.” She shares how better equipping women to take part in politics helps women show up for themselves, for their families, and at work.
Why Simone chose this work
Simone has been involved in different aspects of politics, including consulting, campaigns, and digital areas. She kept noticing that people felt far away from the people who represent them and the institutes of political power. Since democracy exists to serve our country’s people, Simone took on the role and responsibility to connect people to their government and their representatives. Now she helps train and equip women who may never have thought of politics as a way of changing their communities.
The work of All In Together
All In Together is an organization that helps women of voting age learn to participate in American civics and politics and become leaders that shape our nation. Women don’t make the connection to leadership as naturally as men do. Women are much more comfortable working with charities and non-profits and in other non-political ways to shape their communities. Simone is adamant that women’s voices need to be included so our experiences will be considered in the policies that impact and shape our lives. All In Together wants to show the many ways that women can take part in civic leadership besides running for office.
Working with organizations to engage women
Simone works with civic leadership training to make an impact at all levels beyond the ballot box and election day. All In Together works with major corporations to train women to become civic leaders through their professional experiences. They work with community organizations across the country to help women use their personal experiences to help shape policy work across language and social barriers to meet women where they are to raise their awareness and level of involvement. All In Together works with women on both sides of the aisle and at every level to help engage women.
Themes around women’s participation
Simone explains that for women under 40, the biggest barrier to entry into civic leadership is that they feel like they don’t have enough information, even though we live in an age where all the info we could desire is at our fingertips! The general attitude is that since a woman doesn’t know how it all works, and they assume that everyone else does, then they are content to sit out and not get involved. Breaking down these barriers is a big focus in All In Together’s work, and Simone helps women see that they do have the tools and life experiences to get involved in their communities and make a difference.
How do we find reliable sources of information?
Getting information and staying engaged requires women to read widely. This is Simone’s biggest piece of advice for people and the most significant goal for herself. Helping people understand the news literacy disconnect is one of All In Together’s platforms, teaching women to be critical consumers of news. One example is understanding the difference in straight – up reporting and an op – ed piece. Simone likes to think of and teach it as a “news pyramid,” similar to the food pyramid. She breaks down the news sources available to us and the filters we should use in consuming information.
The importance of accurate data
Women are not going to be involved in civic leadership if they don’t understand, and they aren’t going to understand without accurate data from trusted news sources. This means that social media feeds cannot be trusted as news sources, but Simone says women should look to organizations that align with their outlook and values, which is what she strives to do. Staying up – to – date with trusted news sources and looking at endorsements from those aligned organizations, along with following her candidates’ priorities and platforms are the ways Simone chooses to stay informed.
Time in the White House
Simone served in digital strategy areas with various organizations, and then interned and joined the White House team. She oversaw online engagement for the White House and President Obama, with their motto being, “Connecting people with purpose.” Simone says that President Obama saw digital technology as a tool to reach constituents and connect with Americans in strategic and authentic ways, and she was honored to partner with the president in that capacity.
The differences in social media today
Social media is a platform that’s changing rapidly. People are using social media to livestream big parts of their daily lives. Social media makes people feel more accessible, even in high positions of leadership in government. Simone explains how it can be used to communicate policy to people in digestible ways.
Being underrepresented
As “the only Cuban Jew from North Carolina,” Simone has experience with being underrepresented, simply by her virtual existence. She says it goes back to what she teaches: that all politics are personal. She hopes that the people representing her understand the issues that shape her identity and are important in her life. As a general rule, our policies don’t include the perspectives of everyone they should be representing.
Helping diverse groups of people
The first step in dealing with diverse groups of people and conflicting viewpoints is to find common ground. Simone realizes that even those who hold radically – different opinions than hers still want their families to be healthy and happy, so even in our differences, there is common ground to find. Even if two people disagree about every political topic, they still want good schools for kids and healthy food on everyone’s table. There are different paths and different solutions to accomplish common goals, and the best approach to political differences is always to assume the best intentions.
Why Simone believes in March for Our Lives
Simone served in an advisory role for March for Our Lives, a student-led demonstration in support of legislation to prevent gun violence in the US. Simone was involved because it was an example of political and personal coming together in organic and authentic ways. The march, held in 2018, was a way for people of the next generation to call out injustice and notice what they want to change in the world. Led by the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the march called for changes in gun laws and became a national movement that pushed for voter registration. Simone’s interest was piqued by the next generation getting involved and engaged in the political system. Again, it brought the personal together with the political in helping us realize that America’s kids need for us to do better.
Highlights of this Episode:
- 3:44 – People who don’t “do politics”
- 5:45 – How All In Together helps women
- 11:10 – How Simone works with organizations to help engage women
- 16:34 – Themes around women’s participation
- 19:49 – Reliable sources of information
- 27:08 – Where to get accurate data
- 29:33 – Simone’s time in the White House
- 33:38 – Social media today
- 36:06 – What it means to be underrepresented
- 39:23 – Simone’s advice about helping diverse groups of people
- 42:40 – Simone’s involvement with March for Our Lives
- 46:38 – Fem Five
Resources Mentioned:
- www.aitogether.org
- Find Simone on Twitter: @simoneleiro
The Fem Five:
1. Favorite book to recommend for women?
- “Not one particular book, but I start each day by reading from the books written by the women running for president in 2020.”
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- “Wherever I am, I try to get outside and off the sidewalk every day.”
3. Best piece of advice and who gave it to you?
- “A former coworker told me to bet on myself.”
4. Female CEO or thought leader you’re into right now?
5. One piece of advice you’d give your five years younger self?
- “Enjoy the ride. It’s all going to work out.”
Last Time on The NextFem Podcast
Going Against Conventional Wisdom for Massive Success – with Sophie Howard
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