Callahan is from a very conservative part of South Carolina and understood from an early age that she was a feminist who supported a woman’s right to choose, knew climate change was real, and believed people shouldn’t be discriminated against based on race, sexual orientation, gender, and all the other factors of identity.
When she went to college in Massachusetts, she left one bubble for another – on the opposite side of the political spectrum. There, she learned to question her own beliefs and understand her privilege. Joining the university student government really jumpstarted her interest in politics.
“Like much of the country, I’ve been all consumed for the last four years,” she says, “but it’s only in the last year when I started actively volunteering to make sure Democrats win in November.”
Check out this Q&A with Callahan, and then sign up to join her for an upcoming virtual phone bank!
How did you find out about FLIP NC?
I am an avid Pod Save America listener, so when they launched their Adopt a State program, I knew I wanted to get involved. I live in Maryland, and I’m from South Carolina, which are both solid blue and red states respectively. I chose North Carolina because I used to visit there a lot growing up and don’t have much of a connection to any of the other battleground states.
How many times have you volunteered with FLIP NC?
I have phone banked three times now with FLIP NC – all with the college callers. I’m only two years out of college, so I still identify with that demographic the most.
What has surprised you most about our voter outreach?
Honestly, one of the reasons that I chose the college nights is because I know that younger generations are more polite than others and was less scared of talking to them. I have been surprised when people’s parents pick up and are very suspicious about anyone trying to talk to their child (who’s technically an adult). As a very independent person, that always rubs me the wrong way, but I know all families are different.
If you've participated in other voter outreach efforts, how are FLIP NC's different?
I’ve only done two other phone banks outside of FLIP NC, and I find the FLIP NC experience to be the best. For one, the ask of people is much more manageable, so people are more willing to listen. Also, I appreciate the calling atmosphere that FLIP creates. I like the encouragement as we all make the calls. And specifically, for the college call nights, I just like doing it with other young people. It’s a good energy.
What's your top tip for someone who is new to voter outreach?
I think the best thing I’ve realized doing voter outreach in the last year is that it doesn’t take anyone special. I try to post that I’m phone banking on my social media, not to brag about my activism, but to show people that a normal person like me (and them) can do this work.
What is really motivating you to get involved? Obviously, you want to FLIP NC, but tell us a bit about the "why."
I know this election is too important to sit on the sidelines, and I wanted to do something tangible. I don’t want to look back on this time and regret that I could have done more. I volunteered with the Warren campaign in the primary, and I knew whoever the nominee was, I was going to go out and canvass for them. This is my first election cycle volunteering, so I was pretty excited to get out and knock doors (which honestly I’d rather do than calling people), but obviously that’s not possible anymore. We can’t just sit by and let Republicans continue to dictate all the terms for our future like they have been. Flipping NC is one step closer to flipping the Senate and getting rid of Mitch McConnell, and then maybe Congress can actually pass the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, comprehensive police reform, and so much more that is long overdue.
How are you feeling about the 2020 election?
I’m cautiously optimistic about the presidential election, but this country shocked me in 2016, and it can do it again. As for the Congressional seats and state houses, I honestly have no idea how it’s going to go. Hopefully, we can get a huge voter turnout, which may help, but it will definitely be interesting to watch.
Other than politics, what’s a passion of yours?
I’m pretty passionate about sustainability. I try to do what I can to be as waste conscious as possible. It’s pretty difficult, I find, especially when you are on a budget, but I just try to ask myself if I really need something or can I afford to buy something that was made in a more sustainable way?
Who do you admire in politics? Why?
I guess it’s trendy right now to say AOC [Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez], but I do love how down to earth and real she is. I’m sure it’s partially a generational thing, but I like that she does politics by her own rules and doesn’t try to conform to some old way just because “that’s how it’s always been done.” Tradition is highly overrated anyway.
What would you say to someone who is feeling totally dejected by our current state of politics? And how do you stay in the fight?
I think it’s helpful to think about it on a smaller scale because when you think about how rigged the system is against us and how many votes we need, it can seem really daunting. What is just ONE thing I can do that may affect the outcome? No matter how small. For example:
I’m going to vote.
I’m going to make sure everyone in my circle votes.
Can I reach out to someone I haven’t talked to in a while to make sure they are voting?
Can I talk to a neighbor?
Can I post on social media? (Which I know can seem easy, but even if it just makes one person check if they’re registered to vote or look up candidates then it can make a difference.)
And then obviously depending on how comfortable you feel, can I do one text bank or phone bank?
Tell us about a political moment that inspired you, whether it was a personal conversation, a speech given by a president, or a recent "blue wave" moment.
I was definitely inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement that started this summer (and still continues). I know we have seen a bit of a regression due to a misinformation campaign, but I saw a lot of people move on this issue this summer. Maybe not as far as we would like, but it’s always hopeful to see that people can evolve on an issue, especially one as critical as systemic racism and police brutality. I know the fight continues, but I believe it is more winnable now than before.