Meet The Millennial Women Shaping Politics

Update: In this fifth installment of Fusion’s “30 Under 30,” meet the women advocating for the voices of those who aren’t being heard — particularly those affected by immigration and refugee policies. By advocating for inclusive policies centered on the people behind the issues, these women are effecting change for new generations. Between one woman’s work with the Syrian refugee crisis and a DREAMer’s efforts to get the issues her family faces heard by lawmakers, these two activists are working to make the United States a place where everyone really can follow their dreams.

This story was originally published on January 28, 2016.

The 2016 election feels like the official Election of the Millennial Generation. And it’s not just because certain politicians are working hard to attract young voters.

Young people — and particularly young women — are involved not just in supporting candidates with their votes, they're actually key players behind the scenes. Fusion is bringing these influencers center stage, with a new, all-women, all-political “30 Under 30” video list.

In the site's rundown of the project, Rebekah Dryden, the director of elections coverage, discusses the importance of not limiting the pool to those working within the political machine.

“We didn’t want to limit our roster to campaign staffers and Washington types. Those people are hugely important, of course. But there are other people in the game, too. People working in outside groups — or even getting elected themselves. And, of course, there are incredibly influential people working entirely outside the system. For example, the #BlackLivesMatter movement has unquestionably pushed the Democratic candidates for president to address social justice and policing in ways that they simply weren’t before.”

If you think it sounds like a project that can't be done justice in just a few videos, you’re right. Fusion will be releasing the videos in bursts of two or three per week over the next few months, so you can check back weekly to see the next set of incredible women.

Nina Morency-Brassard works with the International Rescue Committee. “People just want safety, health, opportunities for their children. Literally everywhere I’ve worked in the world, it’s boiled down to that,” she says.

Greisa Martinez has a personal reason for advocating immigration reform. Seven years ago, her own father was deported. “Migration is a human right,” she says.

Sarah McBride is working to keep the "T" in LGBTQ more visible.

Alwiyah Shariff is bringing an interracial approach to issues of social, economic, and racial justice.

Yong Jung Cho is taking candidates to task on their plans to deal with climate change.

Yvonne Dean-Bailey is only 19, but she’s representing herself and her community in the New Hampshire House.

Dionna Langford is the youngest member of the Des Moines School Board, and she's helping to bring an awareness of race and youth issues in the classroom.