Leading in different ways

With race dominating this year's presidential election, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), the first black woman to be elected into Congress from the state, came to the university Wednesday afternoon and shared her views on leadership.

The event, part of the "Academy Talks" series and sponsored by the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership, aimed to broaden students' interaction with leaders in the working world, and most of the approximately 80 students and faculty members in attendance said they found it relatable.

Edwards began her speech by talking about her unusual entrance into the political field. About five years ago, Edwards started a campaign to prevent development in her community by talking with neighbors, raising money and working with legal professionals. Going from a working mom to a community activist inspired her to make more changes in her area.

"Leadership isn't just about who holds elected offices, but it's about all the other different ways you can be a leader, like in a law firm committed to social justice, a corporation that is involved with community work or a non-profit organization working to make real change in people's lives," Edwards said.

After the campaign, Edwards set her sight on overtaking Albert Wynn, an eight-term incumbent in her own party.

When she made the decision to run for office, "there were plenty of people who thought I had lost my mind, and I was described as the 'lunatic fringe' for the community work I was doing," Edwards said.

But when Edwards ran against Wynn in the 2008 Democratic primary, she won with an overwhelming 60 percent of the vote, causing Wynn to resign and leaving her to take the empty seat in a special election.

Once Edwards was sworn in, she voted on a bill that same day and has since worked on the $700 billion bailout package for the nation's troubled economy. When Edwards voted against the first plan, she received a plethora of mail from both people who supported her and disagreed with her, she said.

"So I took a stack of them, found the nasty ones and picked up the phone to call them," Edwards said. "Immediately on the phone, they just decompressed."

For the students and faculty attending the discussion, Edwards' description of her experiences so far were intriguing and educational, they said.

"She really is in line with the Academy of Leadership's mission, which is to promote leadership for those otherwise underrepresented, so it was perfect for us and our students to hear her," said Nina Harris, the assistant director of the Academy.

Most students said they found Edwards' honesty welcoming and added they could relate to her story.

"She came from a background just like ours and obviously has something to say, something to prove and something to bring to the table," said John Nash, a junior accounting major. "She also was very down-to-earth; I understand her and could relate to her."

Elliot Morris, a junior economics major, agreed.

"She wasn't the greatest speaker, but her heart is certainly there, as she was open and honest - and that's the best thing we can ask for," Morris said.

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