Kansas Representative Sharice Davids, former Military Child and member Ho-Chunk Nation, shares how maintaining connections to her tribal members and military community shaped her views of the world.

Show Notes:  

https://davids.house.gov/

https://smile.amazon.com/Sharices-Big-Voice-Becomes-Congresswoman/dp/0062979663/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KA5666S1HH0L&dchild=1&keywords=sharices+big+voice+a+native+kid+becomes+a+congress+woman&qid=1635966337&sprefix=sharice%2Caps%2C558&sr=8-1

This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous funding from the

Ft Hood Spouses Club.

https://forthoodspousesclub.org/

Bio: Sharice Davids

 Representative Davids was raised by a single mother, who served in the Army for 20 years. After graduating from Leavenworth High School, she worked her way through Johnson County Community College and the University of Missouri-Kansas City before earning a law degree from Cornell Law School. As a first generation college student who worked the entire time she was in college, Rep. Davids understands the importance of quality public schools and affordable higher education. It is that foundation that allowed her to go on to a successful career, focused on economic and community development, which included time as a White House Fellow under President Barack Obama.

When she was sworn into the 116th Congress, Rep. Davids became one of the first two Native American women to serve in Congress. Rep. Davids has centered her work in office on putting Kansans first, fighting to limit the influence of special interests and make health care more affordable and accessible to everyone. She is a resident of Roeland Park.

Guest Host: Anna Startzell

Anna Startzell is an Army spouse and mom to four military-connected children. She is the Grant Writer for the Fund Development team at the Military Child Education Coalition. Prior to joining MCEC, she worked with veterans and military spouses to help them seek civilian employment. She has also held several roles in higher education and nonprofits, including the West Point Association of Graduates, Old Dominion University, and the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Between her undergraduate and graduate studies, she served as an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team member and leader. Born and raised in Oklahoma, she is a proud citizen of the Cherokee and Chickasaw nations. Anna holds a BA from Vassar College in History and an MPA from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.