INTERNSHIP AWARDS

Young Democratic Women: Leaders of Today and Tomorrow
 

 

The National Federation of Democratic Women sponsors Three internship awards for young Democratic women. Below are the criteria and application process for the awards. Download the application to complete. For more information about submitting nominees to the Awards Committee, go to Application and Instructions.

 

Rilla Moran Woods Internship

The Rilla Moran Woods Internship is a month long internship with the DNC Headquarters with a stipend of $3000.00 for expenses. Applicants must be 18- 25 years of age, and endorsed by her local Democratic Women's club and the State Federation Democratic Women's club. She must submit a letter of application detailing her academic standing, her political involvement and a 200 word essay explaining why a month's internship at the DNC will help her with her political or career ambitions.

Agnes Bird Internship

The second place winner will receive the Agnes Bird Internship Award. The Agnes Bird Internship is for two weeks in the State Party office or a Congressional District office arranged by the State Democratic Federation with a stipend of $1500.00 for expenses.

emerge america internship

This internship is given to a Democratic women between 18 and 25 years of age, with special consideration to those currently enrolled in school. This one month internship, most likely in Washington, D.C. will be with Emerge America. To learn more about Emerge America go to emergeamerica.org. Emerge America recruits, trains and provides a powerful network for Democratic women in-terested in running for office. Emerge is the only in-depth, six-month training program that in-spires women to run and gives them the tools to win. With affiliates across the country, their mission is to increase the number of Democratic women in all levels of public office. Emerge interns work in this type of environment:  

1.    Hands on experience. This is not a ‘pick up my coffee’ kind of internship. You will get the chance to play an integral role with fundraising, event planning, affiliate management, and communications. You will gain an understanding of the Democratic platform, have the op-portunity to learn strategies for getting women to run for office and win, and have expo-sure to a wide network of politically engaged individuals.

2.    We want you to thrive. At Emerge America you will be an important member of a national network that is transforming the face of American politics. You will receive mentorship and training that will help you to hone your ability to build a diverse and robust network. You will have the opportunity to participate in political events such as fundraisers, discussions, and learn industry skills.

3.    Hours are flexible. Emerge America interns are required to commit 20 hours per week. Internship applicants must be current students.

 Qualities you should possess:

 ·        Passion for the advancement of women in politics,

·         Eagerness to participate in and learn the ins and outs of a political organization,

·         Be a proactive problem solver,

·         A willingness to learn.

Preferred experience:

·         Comfortable with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint,

·         Familiar with general office operations,

·         Professional and clear communication skills,

·         Comfortable speaking over the phone,

·         Familiar with social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and/or LinkedIn,

·         Comfortable with technology.

History of Internship Awards

RILLA MORAN WOODS INTERNSHIP Rilla was elected the first President of the Federation at the May, 1972, meeting and served until 1977 when Jean Ohm of South Dakota was elected President during the annual convention at the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix, AZ. At this convention, the Rilla Moran Woods Fellowship for young women between the ages of 18 and 25 to work at the Democratic National Committee was established in honor of Rilla and to demonstrate NFDW’s commitment to involving young Democratic women in the Democratic Party. [Jean Ohm named Agnes Bird of Tennessee Parliamentarian in 1977]. The first winner in 1978 was Patricia Bunner, a law student from West Virginia. The Award was $500 to help pay room and board. The Award increased to $1,000 in the 1980s; $2,000 in the 1990s and $3,000 in 2003. At the 2012 NFDW annual convention in Louisville, KY, a resolution was passed to change the Founder’s Internship Award name to Rilla Moran Woods Internship Award. PURPOSE The purpose of the Award was to help young women who had demonstrated an interest in Democratic politics at the local and state level to gain experience at the national level. Shortly after it was established, the word “internship” was substituted for “fellowship.” Later following Rilla’s request, the name was changed to Founder’s Internship Award.

AGNES BIRD INTERNSHIP Agnes Thornton Bird, PhD. ,J. D., was the first Parliamentarian of NFDW named by Jean Ohm in 1977. She was Legal Counsel in 1985-87; named Outstanding OFDW Member in 1988 and Parliamentarian again in 91-93. She served as President of the Tennessee Federation and on the DNC as Vice Chair of the Democratic Party of Tennessee. She was a partner in a Maryville law firm which included her husband, Frank. She taught law, government, and foreign relations at Maryville College and University of Tennessee. She served on the Tennessee Human Relations Commission and was Vice Chair of the Tennessee Advisory Committee to the U. S. Civil Rights Commission. She served on the AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund Advisory Committee which advised on LAF grants to pursue sex discrimination cases. Frank established the Agnes Bird Internship Award in her memory in 1994 and the first Award, for $1,000, was given in Portland, Oregon, in 1995, to Jennifer Grondahl, KS.