Maggie Mae Valentine
Class of 2021, BA Political Science//Women's Studies Minor
Maggie is a political science major, four-year debate team member, and President of the College Democrats. She has a passion for serving her communities, as well as advocating and organizing for social justice. Following her graduation this spring, Maggie will be relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she will teach secondary social studies in underserved schools.
What have you learned in this current season of your work that will fuel your hope for the future?
One of the most important things I have seen recently is the power that the youth have when we actually show up to fight for justice and make our voices heard. Seeing the record youth turnout in recent elections gives me hope, and is something that I will carry with me as I begin my teaching journey.
Quotes from nominators:
“[Maggie is] passionate about the underrepresentation of women leaders in politics, and has learned an enormous amount about how and why this remains so problematic in her political science major and her women's studies minor. She's determined to help change this -- not only by working for women candidates, as she did in this recent election but by running for office herself. She plans to run for the Oklahoma state legislature in her home community by 2024...Maggie is smart, she is selfless, and she is ambitious. That ambition is not for herself but for bringing God's light, love, and justice to her world – and especially to those who are marginalized, struggling, or feel invisible.” – Linda Beail, Professor of Political Science
“The reason that Maggie came to mind for all of us is the way in which she steps into the hardest and most complicated political discussions with grace, humility, tenacity, and understanding. As president of College Democrats, Maggie has dedicated herself to growing political participation among all PLNU students – no matter their partisan affiliation or ideology. She cares most of all that people engage in our political world – whatever their political beliefs. She is passionate about civil civic discourse and even more importantly, she actively works to achieve it.” – Lindsey Lupo, Ph.D. Professor, Political Science//Chair, Department of History and Political Science