New York State Sen. Jessica Ramos spoke at “Lives in Public Policy and Public Service,” an event that took place as part of Hofstra’s Day of Dialogue on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Hosted by the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government Public Policy and International Affairs, the event informed faculty members and students about the journey to becoming an advocate for important injustices within their community, and explained what every citizen should have access to: food, clothes, housing, higher education and guaranteed healthcare.
Ramos, a Hofstra alumna, began her speech by discussing how she is running for office in an “unconventional” way, with no endorsements and as a single parent.
While a student at Hofstra, Ramos was an active member of Students Against Injustice. During her involvement with the organization, the group presented a 57-page portfolio about Coca-Cola’s human rights violations in Columbia, El Salvador and India to Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz. The research showed that water within these countries was being polluted, affecting thousands of farmers.
Ramos’ activism may have been mostly seen on Hofstra’s campus, but as a daughter of Columbian immigrants, she had been training for her role in politics long before she started college.
Ramos always wanted to make a change within her community, so as a senator she helped to pass voter reform on the Reproductive Health Act, which ensures the reproductive rights of women in New York state even if Roe v. Wade is revoked. It allows abortions to be performed in New York after 24 weeks if a woman’s health is in danger.
“You see New York as such a liberal place,” said sophomore criminology major Sofie Ramirez. “From the outside looking in, you would think that the [Reproductive Health Act] would be here.”
Ramos is currently in the process of implementing laws in the State Senate Committee, such as legalizing electric bikes and scooters to reduce police interface among migrant delivery workers, as well as the Farmers Bill that would help provide employment, days off and labor unions to farmers.
“To see her actually moving people and making an impact makes me very proud … It’s a great example for other students who [are] considering a presence in public life, politics and community organizing,” said Mario Murillo, vice dean of students in the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication.
Ramos has made an impact on many students who feel they can be like her.
“[I like] to see people who look like me in an elevated position,” said Lilliana De Los Santos, a sophomore linguistics and early childhood education major.
Ramos’ constant professionalism and respect for her opponents is something that stood out to many students.
“I love how she said you should love your [competitor] because if you want to be in this field, you have to show love,” said Razia Shushanta, a sophomore mechanical engineering major.
At the end of the discussion, many women asked Ramos for advice on how to overcome obstacles in the future. She said, “Just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”