About our 2019 Scholarship Winners

Jamie Nickel

Having the support of a group of women who blazed the trail that allowed me to intern on the Hill this summer means so much to me that I don’t think there are enough words in the English language to thank them all. DC is an incredibly unique place because it is so hierarchical and many people have completed the same climb I am currently on. Even more uniquely, many of these folks want to help those coming up behind them. The support I received from the women at WCSF allowed me to focus on building connections and learning the Hill without worrying about my financial status. It’s an experience I will treasure always.

It's also an experience that inspired me to pursue my passion for the Hill full force. I decided to stay in DC and finish my degree online so that I can stay involved on the Hill. I want to serve the American people like those I’ve watched around me the last few months and I have the ability to do both that and finish school. With that option in front me, I thought, “Why put off what I want to do if I can start doing it today?”

In the last few months, I have written letters to the directors of agencies, talked and mingled with Senators, and met so many of my peers who are changing the world we live in day by day. I am excited and honored to join them and continue that work in any way I can.

Thank you to all of WCSF’s sponsors for making this dream a reality. I’d also like to especially thank the board: Sara, Liz, Carly, Holly, Sarah, and all the other incredible women who supported me throughout the summer.

Zaynab Said

My name is Zaynab Said, and I am a current senior at Emory University in Atlanta, GA where I major in history with a concentration in law, economics, and human rights as well as Arabic. This summer, I had the honor of being one of the recipients of the Women’s Congressional Staff Foundation’s inaugural summer scholarship. Because of WCSF and the scholarship, I was able to fully participate and enjoy my experience interning for Congressman John Lewis’(D-GA) DC. office. I gained firsthand exposure to the workings of the Hill, and the policymaking process. I attended markups, briefings and hearings on a myriad of topics including universal healthcare and immigrant detention. I was also able to build my communications experience through answering constituent correspondence. Without the support that WCSF provided me, I certainly would not have had the chance to relocate to D.C. for the summer and pursue this amazing opportunity.

Because of the experience that I had interning on the Hill, I am even more confident in my career aspirations. I am currently in the process of applying to law school, with the intention of focusing on immigration law and policy. I plan on practicing as an immigration attorney and an advocate for immigration policy reform.

Amira Daugherty

The Women’s Congressional Staff Foundation’s inaugural scholarship program is undoubtedly the reason I was able to complete my dream fellowship. By providing a generous stipend and housing for the duration of my time on Capitol Hill, the WCSF made it possible for me to focus entirely on being an effective intern. Through their mission of equalizing gender representation across the board in Congress, the WCSF helps politically ambitious young women like myself access our nation’s capital.

And while their generosity is what made my fellowship experience possible, the element of the scholarship program that make it most valuable to me was the accessibility of the leadership team. As I was living away from my home state of Georgia for the first time, I had moments where my confidence wavered, and where I questioned my purpose. If ever you feel alone during your time interning on The Hill, the WCSF advisory board makes you feel that someone is out there rooting for you.

I thank the WCSF wholeheartedly for the role they played in my success this summer, and recommend any young women struggling to figure out how they will access their D.C. dreams apply next year.