When Cecile Richards (‘75) wore a black armband in protest against the Vietnam War, she was disciplined by her old high school. But there was no stopping her — she came to St. Stephen’s to finish high school, graduated from Brown University, became a major force in the reproductive rights movement as president of Planned Parenthood, and founded the nonprofit Supermajority to educate and empower female voters. On December 4, 2024, she won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her decades of advocacy.
On January 20, 2025, Ms. Richards passed away after a long battle against glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, leaving behind a fight for equity that is far from over. Nevertheless, her legacy and the communities she has built through her work lives on, providing the younger generation a foundation to continue advocating for those in need.
The recent inauguration of a new President weighs heavily upon students of marginalized backgrounds, whose legal rights and sense of belonging now face an uncertain future. However, St. Stephen’s stands out for its strong support of students’ social justice initiatives, allowing them to create safe spaces to navigate adversity and bridge cultural barriers together. The Student Council of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (SCODEI) was established in 2023 to serve this purpose. Ultimately, we wanted to provide the clarity and guidance students needed, which led us to join forces with Supermajority for a Q&A panel on civic engagement and grassroots activism this January.
Supermajority was not founded by Ms. Richards alone. The organization has a plethora of highly respected figures in their leadership, including the ACLU’s Deirdre Schifeling, BLM founder Alicia Garza, and Ai-jen Poo of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Although their backgrounds are widely different, they share the same goal: to educate and unite underrepresented voters.
Our panelists for the event were no different. With a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and talents, each shared a thoughtful and unique perspective that ultimately resonated with everyone. Texas native and Chief Impact Officer Jara Butler is the seasoned veteran of the guest speaker lineup, with over 20 years under her belt as a political strategist with President Obama’s and Beto O’Rourke’s campaigns. Tessa Harvey, their Deputy Director of Digital Experience, is the brain behind the organization’s online outreach. Arizona Program Manager Justa Lopez works tirelessly to register voters in her home state and bring awareness to key issues on the ballot.
Prior to the event, students submitted questions about civic engagement, careers in activism, and bridging cultural barriers. These were answered live on Zoom, with Ms. Butler moderating the panel. All of us left with many valuable lessons and inspiring stories, and these are just a few takeaways from the event.
1. I want to get involved in activism—where should I start?
Start local! Ms. Lopez noted that regional policies and efforts ultimately accumulate and shape national policies. Major change begins with building from the ground up through united local efforts. Hearings at the Texas State Capitol Building in downtown Austin are open to the public, and they are great ways to become informed about local politics. If there is an issue you are especially passionate about, you can make your voice heard and provide witness statements sharing your perspective.
2. How do you take care of yourself during such politically turbulent times?
Ms. Butler’s motto: take care of yourself! You can’t pour from an empty cup. Activism requires you to invest so much of your time and effort into helping those suffering the most, but in order to show up for others, you need to show up for yourself first. Take breaks and reflect when you feel overwhelmed, and remind yourself of why you advocate for others. This is a long-term journey, and self-compassion will sustain you for the whole ride.
3. What inspired you to become an activist, and what keeps you going?
All of the panelists come from different marginalized backgrounds, making them familiar with the harsh reality of having their rights overlooked. Supermajority’s motto is to help those closest to the suffering, which unites everyone with a common purpose. Ms. Harvey achieves this by embracing not only her multicultural identities, but also her passions and interests. An avid One Direction listener with blogs dating back to her high school years, she’s harnessed her digital sleuthing skills as a force for good, taking Supermajority’s digital impact to the next level. Plus, her curated event intro playlist was off the charts!
Even though Supermajority is a big name tackling nationwide politics, they’re not afraid to be down-to-earth and talk to local kids. Although the future seems uncertain, diverse safe spaces and guidance from experienced community organizers can help bring a sense of clarity and solidarity. In a post-election period filled with division, it’s crucial that we all have compassion for each other regardless of background and beliefs, consume media responsibly, and use our voices for good. Midterm elections will take place in 2026, when many current Spartans will be old enough to cast their votes. Even if you can’t vote yet, local politics are a great place to start grassroots organizing. What change can you make with your voice?