My parents are both first generation Americans, coming to the United States from India in the mid 1980’s. My father came to America to pursue higher education in science and research. His dream of coming to America would not have been possible without a merit-based assistantship he earned at the State University of New York. My mother’s story is slightly different. Upon arriving in America, she was fascinated by the advanced technology in computer graphics this country had to offer. She pursued a master’s degree in architecture specializing in computer aided architectural design. It was a work study program at her college that helped her
afford her education.

My parents are my role models and are the reason I am here today. Their success stories would not be possible if it wasn’t for their hard work and the merit-based work study research & teaching assistantships they earned in college. I am proud to stand up for President Obama and the Democratic Party because they stand up for me, my community and young Americans across this nation. Over the last four years, President Obama has expanded Pell Grants, helping nearly 4 million more students afford college. He has capped federal student loan payments at 10 percent of monthly income, which helps over a million students manage their monthly payments.

For President Obama this issue is personal. He went to college on loans and worked to finally pay them off in January of 2004. He and other Democrats such as Senator Sherrod Brown have fought to make college more affordable and accessible for America’s students.

Whether it is education, immigration or job creation, Asian American & Pacific Islander students are proud to stand with President Obama and the Democratic Party. This was evident in 2012 when AAPI’s came out big for the President: 73 percent to Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s 26 percent, a 47 percentage point gap, according to exit polls. 2012 was a historic year for our community as five new AAPI’s were elected to the Congress including two female combat veterans. With the AAPI community becoming the fastest growing demographic in America, the College Democrats of America is doing everything we can to reach out to young
AAPI’s and show them that when it comes to our values, it is the Democratic Party that stands up for us.

“Men are raised to play football, to bash their heads and come back for more. Women are raised to stand back. We aren’t raised to be risk takers.” -Representative Sue Myrick

This quote is true in so many cases, but I am going to prove society wrong. Slowly but surely, women are becoming more represented in society, although we already comprise over half of the population. I grew up being inspired by women’s activists like Hillary Clinton, Eleanor Roosevelt, and more recently, Elizabeth Warren. If these women have the drive and determination to be role models for me, I hope to follow in their footsteps and be that woman for another little girl.

My determination and drive in politics is ignited by the women who do not think that they can accomplish what they want or deserve. Too often I have witnessed women back down from challenge and adversity because they did not believe in themselves; the glass ceiling has a great intimidation factor, but by overcoming our fears we shatter the ceiling. The women before me have fought to get to where we are now: the record number of women in Congress, the Lilly Ledbetter Act, and soon, the next woman president. I have a duty to the women before me who blazed a trail for us to continue advocating for our rights. We will no longer be viewed differently in the workplace, in math and science, or in positions of power. Happy Women’s History Month: let’s continue having something to celebrate.

-Sara Valentine, CDA Women’s Caucus Chair

In her address at the U.N. 4^th World Conference on Women Plenary Session, then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton passionately stated, “If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.” This statement echoed across the world, sharing the beauty and stark truth in her words to the international community. Since then, Secretary Clinton has crafted history as an active and enthusiastic woman, enough to inspire and encourage any woman to do the same in whatever field she embraces. She is the embodiment of what I aspire for myself: strong, accomplished, charismatic, and moving.

Women's Caucus Vice Chair Donya Nasser with Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues

I have grown to stand upon the shoulders of historic women like Hillary Clinton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and many others that have stood in the face of adversity and stereotypes in order to achieve what they deem necessary. It is the spirit of these women that have molded me and students like me, by paving the path that we have to journey through. That path includes increasing women’s representation in elected positions on the local, state, and federal level. This is what will pave the way for more common sense decisions as it relates to our health, our pay, and our personal lives.

The women that constitute history, even if unjustly pushed to the margins, have allowed me to push forward for all women because of the strides they have taken to ensure equality and liberty. I know it is possible to work for equity until one’s gender is no longer an obstacle. Knowing that the women before me fought and were triumphant lets me know that I may do the same. As they have done for me, I will do for the future generation of young girls that hope, dream, and desire, as I do.

-Donya Nasser, CDA Women’s Caucus Vice Chair

During his second inauguration, President Obama proclaimed, “For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class.” African Americans have struggled for equality, working to make our country truly the land of the free, only to be looked over by government until Dr. King led the civil rights movement to show that we as citizens of the United States can not be free until all are equal under law. Following an economic crisis that hit people of color particularly hard, the President has put into place reforms that work to build the America that Dr. King envisioned — one where every American values hard work, equal access to opportunities, and the ability to succeed regardless of skin color.

President Obama worked to prevent risky practices and predatory abuses in the financial sector by passing laws such as the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform and Consumer Protection Act. To put Americans back to work, he signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which created as many as 3.5 million jobs according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.  To ease the financial burden of health costs, the President signed into law the landmark Affordable Care Act, which will expand the access and affordability of health care for millions of Americans. And following his wife’s advice to “give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed,” the President has fought to make college more affordable by increasing funding for students.

Of course, the state of African-Americans in this country is not perfect. Many trials and challenges remain. However, the President has recently shown his commitment to dealing with these problems in his State of the Union Address last week. He talked about reducing poverty by raising the minimum wage. He called for action to reduce the horrors of gun violence. He spoke out against voter suppression laws and practices. He proved himself worthy of a second term. Yes, this February is different. But we expect next February to be even better.

By CJ Jackson and Milton R. Patch III

It isn’t always easy being a Democrat in Arizona. Our state legislature and governor are always in the news with a new piece of crazy, right-wing legislation, like when they made the date of conception two weeks before the actual act, enforced racial profiling, or even attempted to require religious oaths as a requirement for a High School Diploma or GED.

Erik Lundstrom (left), President of the Arizona College Democrats

Trust me, it isn’t easy to watch these things unfold. But College Democrats in Arizona aren’t watchers, they’re doers. It isn’t ever easy; its an uphill journey, but every two years I see College Democrats across the state picking up clipboards and telephones, charging toward election day. Like chapters across the country, these CDs ran though neighborhoods knocking on doors every week; the only difference is that we would do it in 110-degree heat.

Beyond the field work that Arizona chapters put in across the state, from the Tucson Valley to the the Mountains of Flagstaff, they managed to do some other pretty incredible things. Students at NAU organized a brand new chapter, helped win legislative races, and put Ann Kirkpatrick back in congress. Students at the U of A worked and interned on almost all of the state’s legislative races and kept Ron Barber and Raul Grijalva in the House. ASU organized a gigantic rally with Richard Carmona and hosted former President Bill Clinton. They also elected Krysten Sinema, the first openly bisexual member of either chamber, to Congress.

For us it was a victory on election night. The country reelected the president, elected more Democrats than Republicans to the U.S. House, and chipped away at the super-majority in the Arizona legislature. That night was a good night; however the next morning we all remembered how much work we still have to do. The races were too close for comfort, and we still have much progress to make in our own backyards.

It will continue to be an uphill journey, but Arizona CDs are already gearing up for the 2013 municipal elections, the 2014 gubernatorial elections, and the 2016 presidential election. I know that as we continue moving forward, we’re going to find more outstanding individuals like Elaine Mills who managed a legislative race and helped to run the UA Chapter, or Seliana Robles who organized the largest political event of the season with President Bill Clinton and Surgeon General Richard Carmona. We need more folks like Pat Burns, who ran a legislative race and worked at the Ritz Carleton while still maintaining a 4.0 in his graduate program. We need another TrevorGervais who at 19 was the youngest RFD on the Obama Campaign, running three regions’ GOTV efforts when he was transferred to Nevada. These young Americans define what it is to be an Arizona College Democrat: we are hard, steady workers, even when facing a tough fight.

You’ll see us this summer, like always, knocking on doors and registering voters. It’ll be 110 degrees, and we’ll be red as cherries, but we’ll be doing it because we won’t rest until Arizona turns blue.

-Erik Lundstrom, Arizona College Democrats President

On November 4th, 2008, I sat in front of my television and watched as President-Elect Barack Obama walked on stage in front of thousands of supporters to give his victory speech. It was my senior year in high school; in between applying to schools and being a part of various clubs I volunteered extensively for the campaign. I had never worked on a political campaign in such depth before. Really, I had never been that interested in politics prior to that campaign, but on that night I felt as though even in maybe just a small way I had made a real difference and frankly I didn’t want that feeling to stop.

CDA Northeast Regional Director Daniel Torres

I decided that I wanted to do something to help my community, and although some thought it was crazy, I decided to run for a seat on my local school board. Hindsight truly is 20/20; I really didn’t know much about running for a local office. I knew I needed thirty valid signatures to make the ballot (twenty signatures less then it took me to run for class Vice President). My understanding of the board had come from my time as the student representative on the school board. I had received this honored position because I was the only Student Government member who was willing to do it.

My candidacy was certainly a spectacle in the small town of New Paltz, New York. Such a thing happening wasn’t such a shock to some as New Paltz isn’t your average upstate town. The 1960’s may have technically ended when the clock struck midnight on December 31st 1969. However, there is certainly a group in my town that refuses to believe that and with the town of Woodstock only a few minutes away it isn’t hard to understand why.

I campaigned on my unique perspective as someone from the school system. I advocated for green initiatives to help the environment and save money. I fought for healthier lunches and fought to make sure that the nutritional value of food be posted in cafeterias so students knew what they were eating. I didn’t want to be seen as just a “student” candidate so I advocated that the school board should take a more active role in the State in order to curb property taxes. I wanted to make sure that whether you were a senior in high school or a senior citizen you should be proud of our schools and want to stay in our community in part because of them.

On Election Day I filled out a hall pass and sat outside the entrance of my high school gym and waited for the polls to open. I was the first person on line. At that moment I wondered if I had done the right thing. I wondered if anyone had truly listened to the things I campaigned for I wondered if anyone had seen me as something more than just a “kid.” Then the line quickly started to fill. Noticeably with newly minted eighteen year old high school students.

Later that night as they read the results to a small crowd I was nowhere to be found. I was down the hall singing in the Spring Concert which had fallen on the same night. When I finally got to the gym I was approached by a reporter who told me that I had in fact won and that our budget passed by one of the highest margin in district history (in part due to young voters).

On that night, as my high school career was coming to an end I learned a not so insignificant lesson. The united voices of your youth in a Country, a State, and yes, even a small community can certainly make a real difference. Regardless of age you truly can make a difference and make a change for the better and even if it may seem scary there is nothing more important than standing up for what you believe in even if not everyone believe in you.

-Daniel Torres, CDA Northeast Regional Director

It’s about the values we share. All major religions share a common message of caring for each other and protecting those living on the margins of society. Yet we currently stand at a crossroads that requires Democrats of Faith to not only speak up—but to organize.

The Extreme Right has operated under the assumption that they speak for all people of faith. For decades they’ve used tried to sell a message to the American public that Democrats are waging a “war on religion,” fueled around fear and issues that divide us. Yet the only war on religion is the one coming from out-of-touch politicians who are using our common faith to push a political agenda.

This past election we helped defeat one of the most radical agendas the faith-community has ever seen. Congregations from around the country came out against the budget that Congressman Ryan authored, and Governor Romney endorsed. This budget would have gutted programs that built a social safety net for the “least of these” among us. It has become increasingly clear how out of touch the Republican Party has become with faithful America.

Whether you worship in a Church, a Temple or a Mosque, as Democrats we realize that our politics and faith are inseparable. The President could not have earned a second term if it was not for the strong work of faith leaders and the communities they represent—but it’s far from over. Most importantly as young people-of-faith we have the responsibility to organize, and demonstrate to the Republican right that we’ve found a President who shares our values…and we won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

-John McCarthy, CDA Faith Caucus Chair

Broderick Johnson, senior advisor to the President, hosted call on the night of the first Vice Presidential Debate and spoke about the crucial choice young people of faith faced in the 2012 election. Johnson said that President Obama has understands people of faith and our values, because he understands the importance of an active faith in pursuit of the common good.

On the night of the third Presidential debate, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley who also serves a Catholic for Obama National Co-Chair, hosted a second conference call. In it, he highlighted his strong support for President Obama. He said:

“As a Catholic, I believe that every human being is made in the image of God. From this, I believe that as a nation, we share a moral obligation to care for one another. As the President has so passionately affirmed throughout his career: ‘I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper.’ The President has upheld and advanced this principle in many ways, including his support for pregnant women and the Adoption Tax Credit, and his pursuit of immigration reform. We are proud of the President for his opposition to the budget proposed by Paul Ryan, embraced by Republicans in Congress, and heartily endorsed by Mitt Romney. The Republican plan would shred our nation’s compassionate safety net, gutting Medicare, food assistance programs, Head Start, and many other programs—all while cutting taxes for the wealthy.”

The Faith Caucus thanks Broderick Johnson and Governor O’Malley for hosting these calls and all the students who participated in them. We look forward an exciting and productive 2013!

-Christopher Hale, CDA Faith Caucus Vice Chair

From the CDA family to yours, Happy Holidays.

Democratically yours,

The CDA Team:
Tori, Andrew, Kenzi, Devin, Andy, Dom, Beth, Jake, Gracie, and Paul

College Democrats will certainly continue to support President Obama’s policies in his second term; but we will also be using our appetite for organizing and commitment to Democratic ideals to help us carry out service projects in our respective communities in the coming weeks and months. The president’s vision for our country relies on a productive partnership between the government and its citizens, through which we all work to build safe and healthy communities.

That’s why the College Democrats of America sponsors a week of service every year, where College Democrats all across the country take on service projects in their area, forging community partnerships and investing in the the posterity of their neighborhood institutions. Democrats believe that we are greatest when we are working together–in politics and in life. This belief in unity has been central to the Democratic party for a long time, and it is what inspires CDA to continue this tradition of service each year.

Service projects can be as simple as tutoring in your local school system, volunteering at a nearby homeless shelter, or spending a day cleaning up a public park. They can also be more structured and long lasting. For example, the College Democrats at the University of Central Florida hosted a “Yes We Canned” food drive over Thanksgiving and participated in Homeless Awareness Month in their local community.

For youth organizers, this fall has been a busy one; between Election Day and cramming for finals, free time is hard to come by. But it’s important that we make time to give back. The merit of our education system and the quality of our civic life depend on the health of our communities. When we invest in our communities, we are all better off.

Young Americans know how to organize for political campaigns–they know how to craft messaging and inspire people to support their candidates. This holiday season, we will be using those same skills to orchestrate important community service projects. The projects will be fun, rewarding, difficult, and discussed on Twitter–join the conversation using the hashtag #CDAServes.

But serving others is not just a seasonal responsibility. By devoting our time and resources to highlighting service this December, the College Democrats of America hopes to remind people that service should be a lifelong habit, part of our daily lives.