The 2020 election will not only be one of the most important in U.S. history; it will also be the first time many members of our current class will be able to vote.  These twin observations made our recent visit with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), one of the major candidates aspiring to the Democratic Party’s Presidential nomination, particularly instructive and valuable.

Our visit included a Capitol tour (one highlight: riding the “secret” train running underneath the Capitol between the House and Senate sides) and an intense and enlightening 20-minute question-and-answer session with the Senator.

Though Gillibrand publicizes her meeting schedule online (click here and select February 13th, 2019 to see us!), she requests that the content of those meetings–including ours–remains confidential.  We can report, however, that conversation after our session was robust, lasting well into the evening hours, and covered topics like the nature of running for President, society’s differing standards and expectations for men and women, the importance of elected leaders’ charisma vs. their political positions, and more.

Another memorable moment: while on the tour, we got to spend an informal moment with civil rights pioneer and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), whose path briefly crossed with ours.

Special thanks to the staff of Senator Gillibrand’s office for making this terrific visit possible!