About Us
OUR MISSION: To build a voting block of young and disenfranchised people in PA who wield political power.
Pennsylvania League of Young Voters
6101 Penn Avenue Suite 302, Pittsburgh PA 15206
OFFICE: 412.362.7927
EMAIL: info@paleague.com
What is the Hot Sheet?
The Hot Sheet is the place for all the news you can use about the PA League of Young Voters, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. Check back often, follow our RSS feed or sign up for the Hot Sheet email to stay up to date on hot news on local politics, youth issues, and our efforts to improve the future of PA!
Meet Our Team
A who’s-who at the PA League
Elizabeth Emery Rincon
State Director
Born in Houston Texas and alumna of the Memphis College of Art in Memphis, Tennessee, Liz Rincon says that politics has always been a part of her life, beginning when she was a young child. Liz talks about her experience: “I have been very fortunate to have participated in many programs through high school, such as Washington Close-Up. This exposure to how our government works was great, however, it wasn’t until after college that I had a passion for organizing.”
Liz says she is “honored to be a part of an organization that recognizes that youth involvement is not only a great step to build future leaders, but that it is necessary.” Email Liz at liz@theleague.com
Carly Dobbins - Bucklad
Director of Operations & Communication
Carly graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2004 with a BA in Communication and in Political Science. She first became involved with the League as an intern in the fall of 2006, after she had just moved to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia and was looking for a way to get acquainted with her new home base. She helped create the first video voter guide for the PA League in the spring of 2007. From there she slowly got deeper and deeper into the League until she wound up as full-time staff. Before working here, she worked for a PA state representative outside of Philadelphia, was the assistant director at an arts management firm, and ran her campus radio station, and in-between worked at a vintage clothing store and too many restaurants to count.
Email Carly at carly@theleague.com
Roxanne Banks - Williams
Director of Education & Training
Roxanne Banks-Williams graduated from Peabody High School in 1999 and from the University of Pittsburgh in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in General Management of business, focusing on Human Resources and Marketing. In the summer of 2003, she earned a Community Problem Solving Fellowship and participated in the 2004 PRICE Summer Internship program. In the years following graduation from Pitt, she earned certifications as an automotive emissions inspector, and then later a personal training certification.
But through all of this, she knew her primary career focus was to be on community activism and social engagement. In May 2006, she joined the League as the Constituency Outreach Coordinator/Events Coordinator. But her real passion comes from organizing and educating young voters which she does as the Director of Education for the League, a position which she began in January 2007. In this role she leads the League’s efforts into High Schools and to other youth programs to educate kids about the importance of participation in the political process.
Contact Roxanne at roxanne@theleague.com
Terry Griffin
Western PA Field Coordinator
Terry graduated with High Honors in political science from the University of Florida and is planning on studying civil rights and American constitution in law school. During his time in Gainesville, Florida, he organized an event called Winter Soldier: Iraq @ UF, which brought an audience of hundreds before a panel of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their stories. Terry also co-organized an umbrella organization of UF student groups known as the UF Progressive Caucus, and has been involved in several civic action groups on campus and in the Gainesville community. After experiencing political campaigning during the 2006 Midterm Election Cycle, he realized that young people can be a great power block. Terry is eager to devote himself to the cause of bringing Americans of all stripes into the fold of active citizenship.
Email Terry at terry@theleague.com
Mac Booker
Western PA Field Coordinator
Mac Booker had political literature in his hand as soon as he was able to grip it, working the polls with his Democratic-committeepeople parents in Pittsburgh’s seventh ward. Since then he has had some schooling, thanks to Peabody High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He also has spent time working for various candidates for sundry offices, from Pittsburgh City Council on up. He has been a journalist and a researcher, driven a beer truck, and along the way gotten a good bit taller and marginally less cute than the five-year-old who exhorted his neighbors to pull the lever. What hasn’t changed is his conviction that you need to get out to the polls and make your voice heard. You may see him at your front door one of these days, looking to explain exactly why.
Sam Hawkins
Staff Assistant
Sam came to us from a program with the Bloomfield/Garfield Corporation in 2008. After proving himself to be the dependable, intelligent, hard-worker that he is, we decided we had to hire him on! If you’re ever in the office around lunchtime, nothing would make Sam happier than if you went in with him on some Dominos and split a pizza and some hot wings.
Contact Sam at samhawkins@theleague.com
Our Amazing 2008 Interns!
FALL:
Minrose Straussman (Schenley/Reisenstein High School) - research & development
Krystal Mitchell (Pitt) - research & development
Dana Roebuck - field
Adam Schloss - field
Eric Reidy - field
SUMMER:
Meghan Russell (Penn State, PA) - research
Jennifer Smith (Oral Roberts, OK) - development
Alison Emery (Clark University, MA) - development
Sanket Karuri (White Station High School, TN)) - field
SPRING:
Sam Hawkins (Bloomfield/Garfield Corporation) - data management/outreach
Julie Mink (Chatham graduate) - video/design
Gabby Moscowitz (CMU) - video/design
Ryan Burger (Pitt) - development
Sarah Amador (CMU) - development
Justin Witmer (Pitt) - development
Travis Jones (Pitt) - field
Paul Masters (Pitt) - field
Michelle Sipe (Pitt) - field