Fiona Sullivan interned with Public Citizen’s Democracy Team through the Illinois in Washington program, where she supported grassroots organizing, event coordination, and election security initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic participation. The experience deepened her interest in public interest advocacy and public policy, and she plans to pursue law school while continuing work that promotes civic engagement and accountability.
As the semester comes to an end and I wrap up my internship in Washington, D.C., I’ve been reflecting on what a meaningful and energizing experience it has been. From the very beginning, I was welcomed into a team driven by a clear mission: strengthen our democracy by holding powerful institutions accountable and putting the public interest first. Working with Public Citizen’s Democracy Team has allowed me to see how strategic organizing, community leadership, and public education come together to protect the voices of everyday people. Being surrounded by organizers and advocates who care deeply about fairness, representation, and civic engagement challenged me to think critically about the role I want to play in our democracy. One of the highlights of my semester was supporting event coordination and grassroots mobilization around the No Kings II movement. From researching potential coalition partners to helping vet hosts for key advocacy events, I saw up close how mobilization begins long before people gather in a room. Before any campaign takes shape publicly, there are weeks of planning, relationship building, and finding trusted community leaders who can help amplify the message in authentic ways. This experience showed me that community power is not spontaneous,it is cultivated through intentional partnerships, transparent coordination, and outreach that prioritizes trust.
Throughout the semester, I contributed to projects involving event support, host vetting, volunteer coordination, legislative research, and election security efforts. I learned how to identify organizational partners, expand outreach networks, collaborate across teams, and support the logistics that make public action possible. These hands-on experiences strengthened my planning, communication, and organizing skills, while deepening my understanding of how advocacy groups build collective power to influence policy, shape public perception, and give communities tools to engage directly with government systems.
I am leaving D.C. with new skills, lasting connections, and a stronger commitment to public interest work. I’ve gained a better understanding of the policy landscape, how advocacy campaigns evolve, and how community partners play a vital role in mobilizing democratic participation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from mentors who took the time to share insights about organizing strategies, coalition building, and what it means to advocate with integrity. I am excited to continue learning, growing, and working remotely with Public Citizen in the upcoming semester.
I chose to do the Illinois in Washington (IIW) program because I am interested in policy, politics, and law, and I hope to apply to law school in the future. IIW has been the perfect environment to explore these interests and begin building a professional network in a city where advocacy and policymaking intersect every day. Beyond my internship and classes, one of my favorite parts of studying in D.C. has been exploring all of the different museums, monuments, government buildings, and historic sites that reflect the complex story of American democracy, past, present, and future.
Student Blog Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in student blog posts are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Illinois in Washington Program, the University of Illinois, or its staff and affiliates.