This day was slightly surreal. The night before, an email had been sent out from the WIP office to inform us that the wonderful Aoibhin O’Hare, world’s best Clintern, had managed to secure us a moment with none other than Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Crazy….I know! Having heard Harold Ikles speak about working on Hillary’s campaign on Monday, the fact that we were getting to meet her just blew my mind slightly. Leaving work with my makeup perfected (only for a few moments until I got outside and the sweats began) I marched on over to the Russell Building on Capitol Hill and the excitement in my tummy started to bubble. I literally couldn’t believe this was happening. We sat outside the building, melting away in our black power suits, and then finally we were summoned through the senate side security. We took the elevator to the fourth floor and lined up against the wall outside her office. A few photos later the moment came for us to line up on the stairs beside her office and await her arrival. And then, almost without warning (except for a small applause and getting the nod from Big Bob), she appeared round the corner. She put her hands together and after a moment of delay, we did likewise. (Who really does know what to do when you meet someone like Hillary Clinton? I didn’t really know) She spoke candidly to us, with a genuine heart for the people of Northern Ireland and Ireland. Being just a metre away from a person you’ve tracked for months through the media is just unreal. I don’t think any of us could really believe our luck. (Except maybe Peter who went on to meet Barack Obama after!!) But business doesn’t stop for the worlds most powerful, and in an instant she was gone, back to work, to vote, to invest and to make changes. I do believe her to be a wonderful, hard-working woman, and an example to many. It was truly an honor to share those moments with her.
Floating away on cloud number nine with mushy feelings inside made me think the day couldn’t get better, but it just so happens it can. Elaine and I shared a cup of tea and a cookie in the basement of the Russell building at “Cups” and chatted about everything, as we are in the habit of doing. Before we knew it, it was time to head to the Washington Ireland Program 9th Annual Congressional Forum, where five of our interns were giving their speeches. I didn’t have many expectations for this event, what with meeting Hillary in the afternoon, but it turns out I should have. It was just incredible. Luke, Catherine, Fiona, Laura and Lauren each did exceptionally well in delivering their speeches. Each spoke with conviction in their own voice and did the program proud that evening. And when the bell rang at the end of the votes, the congressmen (and woman-thanks to Carolyn McCarthy for representing) started pouring in by the bucket load. Amongst them James Walsh, Peter King, Patrick Kennedy, Donald Payne, Patrick Murphy and Joseph Crowley all spoke warmly about their connections to Ireland. In particular, the words of Patrick Murphy and Carolyn McCarthy inspired me. They spoke of really believing in a great change and being part of making it happen. They made me believe that I could contribute something lasting to my country and that I should start today. Keep dreaming and believing, and act on those dreams and beliefs to create something that lasts.
I think a special word of appreciation is due to Mr Kieran O’Connor and others who put so much work into making the Congressional Forum what it was. It was most certainly a night that I will remember and I believe that the rest of the team will find it hard to forget.
