Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House

by Molly Dillon (Compiler)

Overview

"Young women can run the world. These are the stories of those who did..." @hillaryclinton

"An excellent guide to the how and why of a life of public service." —Amy Poehler

Return to President Obama's White House in this New York Times bestselling anthology for young women by young women, featuring stories from ten inspiring young staffers who joined his administration in their 20s with the hope of making a difference.

Includes a foreword by actress (Grown-Ish) and activist Yara Shahidi! Shahidi is the creator of Eighteen x '18, a platform to empower first-time voters.

They were teens when Barack Obama announced he was running for president.
They came of age in the Obama Era.
And then they joined his White House. Smart, motivated, ambitious—and ready to change the world.

Kalisha Dessources Figures planned one of the biggest summits held by the Obama White House—The United State of Women. Andrea Flores fought for the president's immigration bill on the Hill. Nita Contreras traveled the globe and owned up to a rookie mistake on Air Force One (in front of the leader of the free world!).

Here are ten inspiring, never-before-told stories from diverse young women who got. Stuff. Done. They recall—fondly and with humor and a dose of humility—what it was like to literally help run the world.

YES SHE CAN is an intimate look at Obama's presidency through the eyes of some of the most successful, and completely relatable, young women who were there. Full of wisdom they wish they could impart to their younger selves and a message about the need for more girls in government, these recollections are about stepping out into the spotlight and up to the challenge—something every girl can do.

With contributions from Jenna Brayton, Eleanor Celeste, Nita Contreras, Kalisha Dessources Figures, Molly Dillon, Andrea R. Flores, Vivian P. Graubard, Noemie C. Levy, Taylor Lustig, and Jaimie Woo.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781984848451
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	03/05/2019
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	283,618
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Molly Dillon served in the White House from 2013 - 2017 in the Domestic Policy Council's Office of Urban Affairs, Justice and Opportunity. Originally from Highland Park, Illinois, she currently resides in New York, NY.

With contributions from Jenna Brayton, Eleanor Celeste, Nita Contreras, Kalisha Dessources, Molly Dillon, Andrea R. Flores, Vivian P. Graubard, Noemie C. Levy, Taylor Lustig, and Jaimie Woo.

Read an Excerpt

My mama has always said there’s nothing more interesting than an interested human. And she’s so right! It is this curiosity that human progress feeds on; but for too long, girls were not encouraged to follow their curiosity. With educational disparities and discrimination in the classroom and workplaces, the world that we occupy as women comes with the tough reality: we must persevere. Spaces only get more complicated to maneuver in when we include our various intersecting identities: ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, citizenship status, abilities, etc. But what the women who have charted maps of ingenuity, intention, and success have proved is that when women feed their potential, they in turn feed human potential.
We are in the midst of a cultural revolution, and women of all walks of life are leading the charge in the fight for equity! Watching this moment in history inspires me and so many of my peers to push past perceived boundaries and create new possibilities. The brilliant humans in this book represent women who became the change they wanted to see, feel, and experience; and in doing the work, these fierce young women have created space for others to follow suit.
I was fortunate enough to visit the Obama White House four times. In fact, President Obama once joked that I should get my own office in the White House. (I quickly closed my eyes to manifest this!) While any opportunity to be in the same room as the Obamas was a gift to me, one of the moments emblazoned on my spirit happened when I cohosted the White House Science Fair, alongside entrepreneur and educational philanthropist Karlie Kloss, under the guidance of scientist Dr. Knatokie Ford. We interviewed brilliant young scientists from around the United States about the scientific innovations and breakthroughs they were creating. Kids of all ages were turning their passions and skills into making education more accessible, creating diagnostic tests for the Ebola virus, inventing alternative power sources, and so much more! The biggest impact, however, was being surrounded by women of different generations—watching the young female scientists exhibiting their findings and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Dr. Jo Handlesman excitedly participating. The unwavering support from President Obama alongside the brilliant women of the White House, celebrating what is traditionally a male-dominated field, reinforced in me and so many others the deep and continued need for female voices in all places.
The inspiring female staffers in this book did not just “happen” to land a job in the Obama White House. They worked for it, knowing that other young women were watching and preparing to step into the spaces they created for us through their experiences—good and bad. Yes She Can is a gift; it’s filled with ten women’s inspiring stories about entering public service under the Obama Administration and how they didn’t just survive but thrived in these spaces! These intelligent humans know the importance of their voices and values and became the representation that we are so lacking. Each had her own path to the White House and, once there, made her mark on the world—all while clearing a path and expanding the vision of a more inclusive America.
These women, in part, inspired me to create Eighteen x 18, an initiative to increase youth voter education and turnout. They demonstrated for me and my peers that politics can no longer happen without us—we must share a common love for our global community. Their stories serve as a reminder to young people that we are not alone in this fight, that there are women who have taken it upon themselves to trudge through the sometimes treacherous terrain of politics and public service in order to open the doors and let us all in. Their presence has undoubtedly carved the way for us Gen Zers, and I am so grateful that they have decided to share their experiences.
May our voices continue to carry the power of generations of women from the past, present, and future! 
 

Table of Contents

Foreword Yara Shahidi ix

Prologue xiii

Molly Dillon 1

Andrea R. Flores 29

Kalisha Dessources Figures 51

Taylor Lustig 79

Vivian P. Graubard 97

Eleanor Celeste 119

Nita Contreras 145

Jenna Brayton 173

Jaimie Woo 197

Noemie C. Levy 223

A Girl's Guide to Getting into Government 247

Acknowledgments 255

About Yara Shahidi 263

About the Authors 265

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2019

Gr 8 Up—Each essay in this collection zooms in on a significant day in the life of a young Obama Administration staffer, lending an exciting "Choose Your Own Adventure" quality to descriptions of working at a level that few will experience. Imagining oneself in the author's shoes is part of the fun, since each speaker communicates both relatable disbelief at her circumstances, and the sort of extreme competence you'd expect from a person in a leadership role at the White House in their (mostly early) 20's. Certain details of life in the administration appear in multiple accounts—Joe Biden going long with a speech; late nights and early arrivals; eating junk food (including "Presidential M&Ms") instead of dinner—as do deeper threads, like feeling the power of mentorship and the weight of helming efforts to fix pressing problems like human trafficking, or the complexity and risks inherent in taking on foster care or immigration reform. Several standout essays capture the power of having a seat at the table, as a child or grandchild of immigrants, and what it feels like to see other Latinx, African American, and Asian women in positions of authority. A foreword by actress Yara Shahidi (star of grown-ish) and a useful final chapter, "A Girl's Guide to Getting Into Government," round out a satisfying and inspirational anthology. VERDICT Readers of all ages who need a shot of hope, and especially young people planning to change the world, will learn from and enjoy this book.—Miriam DesHarnais, Towson University, MD

School Library Journal

2019-01-28

Stories from those who worked amid the daily chaos, hope, and ambition of the Obama White House, where "Young women [could] get. Stuff. Done."

The 10 women profiled include Molly Dillon, who worked on policy for kids in the foster-care system, and Taylor Lustig, who helped to organize Pope Francis' first visit to the United States. Vivian P. Graubard was in her 20s when she helped craft policy to fight human trafficking through digital technology. The native Spanish speaker traveled to Mexico, where she met with survivors of human trafficking and their families. Regularly working long hours and motivated by a strong sense of purpose and accomplishment, the women give readers windows into the everyday activities of the Obama administration—frequent staff meetings in D.C. coffee shops, mistakes they inevitably made, and the million little things it takes to pull off a public event at the White House. The ethnic and religious diversity of those profiled enriches the work, so the omission of Arab and Muslim voices is unfortunate, particularly given the administration's focus on Muslim affairs. The book ends with concrete advice for girls interested in getting involved in the government. A foreword by Yara Shahidi (not seen) and photos enhance the appeal of this engaging and readable work.

An accessible tribute to the work of inspiring young women and a guide for those who wish to follow in their footsteps. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews

There is nothing more powerful than an army of young women and their combined voices. Smart and sharply written, this is an excellent guide to the how and why of a life of public service.” —Amy Poehler, creator of Smart Girls

“I am so inspired by these amazing stories, each a testament to the fact that we need more young women devoted to public service. Yes She Can shows the extraordinary difference their voices can make.” —Valerie Jarrett, former advisor to President Obama

“Human beings are way more likely to do what we see than what we are told. That’s why YES SHE CAN, a collection of firsthand stories, is even more likely to bring women’s talent to Washington than are the statistics about why such talent is needed. This book is like out-stretched hands from personal friends who want to help you make a difference.” – Gloria Steinem, author & feminist activist

“The extraordinary women whose stories are reflected in this book embody courage, hard work, persistence, and resilience—characteristics we should demand from all of our leaders. This honest and inspiring look at politics and government is a must-read for anyone—especially any girl—who dreams of changing the world for the better.”
—Cecile Richards, lifelong activist and former president of Planned Parenthood
 
“Yes She Can offers heartfelt stories of public service from unstoppable young women determined to make this world a better place. Necessary reading that will inspire and empower a new generation of girls focused on social impact.” —Elaine Welteroth, activist, editor, and author

"Yes She Can shows the importance of creating spaces for women and girls to showcase their brilliance and excellence. It is exactly the book girls need to read right now to show them that everyday girls can and will change the world."  
—Marley Dias, Author, Activist, & Founder of #1000blackgirlbooks

“Amidst difficult times, Yes She Can is a beacon of hope. A road map for girls who want to make a difference, these stories show a depth of diverse experiences and the breadth of opportunities young women have to change the world. Yes She Can reminds us that government belongs to everyone.” —Amanda Nguyen, founder of Rise 
 
“Oh, how I welcome this book! I heard the women of Yes She Can telling me boldly and clearly: We are bringing change. And what a powerful, most welcome, and much-needed message that is.” —Mariska Hargitay, actor, advocate, director, and producer
 
“Inspiring, hopeful, funny and emotional, Yes She Can is a marvelous collection of untold stories of American women committed to public service. They dared to believe in themselves and their nation and, by doing so, helped change the Presidency, the White House, and the course of history for us all.” —Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, former Obama Administration LGBT liaison
 
“Yes She Can mixes narratives of poignant personal journeys and exceptional work with clear guidance on how to make a deep meaningful impact through public service.” —Megan Smith, CEO of shift7 and third U.S. Chief Technology Officer

From the Publisher