Welcome to Women in Politics: College Edition, where promising women leaders in student government on college and university campuses across the country will be featured on msnbc.com over the course of the year. Lindsay Richardson has been nominated by University of South Carolina as a leader making a difference not only through key issues on campus, but in bridging the gender gap in politics.
As part of a new series at msnbc, “Women of 2014,” these hand-selected women become part of a larger discussion of women candidates and women’s issues on a national level. “Women of 2014” is a home for all women in politics – notably those in some of the year’s most pivotal races – with newsmaker interviews, profiles, photos, a Twitter trail following more than 35 candidates, and deep dives into the key conversations.
From the Ivy Leagues to the Big Ten to liberal arts colleges and beyond, young women are making a difference across the country – meet them here!
School: University of South Carolina
Hometown: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
Concentration: Political Science, Marketing, Management
Role in Student Government: Student Body President
Dream job: Legal Counsel for a Public Policy firm
Class year: 2015
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What is your biggest challenge as a leader on campus?
One of the biggest challenges as a leader on campus is to remove stigma and change a culture. I have found that habit is often hard to break and creating new habits requires both creativity and patience. This presents an interesting challenge and opportunity to encourage students, faculty, and community members to remove all preconceptions and engage in something new or take a different perspective.
Which female leaders do you draw inspiration from?
A few women I draw inspiration from are Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Hillary Clinton, and Carol Moseley Braun. These women have broken many barriers and paved the way for other female leaders. I also admire their passion, strength during times of adversity, and efforts to advocate not only for women, but for social justice issues around the world.
What comes to mind first when you think about important moments in history?
One of the most important moments in history was the Supreme Court Ruling on Brown v. Board of Education that led to inclusion and equality in our country. It also made way for larger fights for civil rights and cultural understanding.
What do you think should be President Obama’s No. 1 priority?
President Obama should place a focus on education and continue to push for affordability in the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. With the rising cost of a college degree and an increasingly challenging job market, I believe it is time to invest in the future of our country and education.
If you could move to one country abroad it would be?
If I could move to one country abroad it would be China because I would love to be immersed in country that is experiencing a booming economic growth similar to that of United States during the Industrial Revolution. This growth yields many trials and opportunities while creating a great learning environment for business, policy development, and governance. I would like to take advantage of that and the potential to learn from a communist governing structure that is attempting to find its balance with capitalism in a globally interdependent world.
Follow Lindsay Richardson on Twitter @Lindsay_Rich and check out last week’s female leader at the University of Louisville
To nominate an exceptional undergraduate female leader in student government please email Anna Brand at Anna.Brand@nbcuni.com