EDC members among “35 under 35″ leaders
EDC members Erin Emblem and Jason Everitt are among the “35 community leaders under 35″ in San Diego News Network, an online news outlet. Nominations for the list were submitted by SDNN readers, nonprofit leaders and elected officials in the San Diego region. SDNN says they developed the list “to acknowledge the work of some spectacular young people and, more importantly, to motivate others.”
Erin Emblem, 27, hard-hitting campaigner:
Erin Emblem just turned 27 and she’s still learning to come to terms with it. But at least, she can say she has plenty of achievements to flaunt before hitting 30.
At the age of 18, Emblem became the vice president of the Escondido Democratic Club (after having been a member since she was nine; she said it beat having to do chores). She then went on to become a delegate for both the California Democratic Party and the San Diego Democratic Party. After working on various campaigns, Emblem is now the campaign manager for her mother, Tracy Emblem, who is running for the 50th Congressional District seat.
Emblem’s reasons for getting involved at such an early age? To ensure the future for the world’s children, which is why she became a foster mother of two and now a mother for Kailey. Two-year-old Kailey, who has four congenital heart conditions and underwent three surgeries in 2009, motivates Emblem to work hard.
“She is so brave and she teaches me to be strong,” she said. “Looking into her eyes every morning challenges me to work harder to ensure that the legacy I leave her and her generation is better than the one our parents left for us. They deserve nothing less, she deserves nothing less.”
Tip for young people: “Just do it — whether your passion is kids, animals or a cleaner beach, the best way to become active in a leadership role is to lead by example.”
Jason Everitt, 26, activist and candidate for Escondido City Council:
At 26, Jason Everitt hopes to soon become the next councilmember for the city of Escondido. But he isn’t just tossing his hat in the ring without experience.
Everitt, who recently completed his Masters in public administration and international relations from the University of Southern California, has worked for the San Diego Coastkeeper, Sierra Club and the campaign for the Employee Free Choice Act. Now, he works as a policy analyst for the Center on Policy Initiatives and just kicked off his campaign to garner a city council seat in the North County municipality.
Being so deeply invested into community projects, Everitt believes now is the best time to be involved.
“Trying times define the character of our communities,” he said. “In the 1960s, America experienced one of the most tumultuous eras in our country’s history. It was then that Bobby Kennedy said that the quality of our democracy should not be judged by our economic prosperity but by the quality of our communities and the strength of our relationships to each other. These words ring true today.”
With the words of the former senator lingering in his head, Everitt said it’s up to each member in society to take an active role in the process that builds our communities.
And if a Kennedy isn’t enough inspiration, he just thinks of his family and how hard they’ve worked “to live the American dream.”
Tip for young people: “Seek out the subject that you feel passionately about, display the courage and commitment inside your heart, unleash the energy that is incumbent upon youth, and be humbled by the knowledge that there is always more to learn.”