In 2022, WPLN launched its first-ever Fellowship for nonprofit management. As part of the program, fellows help build the capacity of our organization and assist our State Partners who identify, engage, and train women on the ground to seek public office. This year, WPLN continues this program with its third cohort of three outstanding young women.
Meet Jianna Covarelli, WPLN fellow from Aubrey, Texas. Jianna is pursuing her Master's in Political Science and Public Affairs at Texas Woman's University.[WPLN]: What about WPLN’s mission do you feel most passionate about?
The strongest aspect of WPLN’s mission that resonates with me is the call for effective policy makers and public servants. A favorite element of political philosophy in my undergraduate studies was the concept of “philosopher-kings” (or queens, if you will). A theory derivative of Plato where the leader of the governing body embodies a combination of a thirst for knowledge, even temperament guided by wisdom, political power, and public influence. Yet, these types of individuals are so rarely the ones that win elections–or even run for office in the first place. To see an organization like WPLN have a call to action so similar in their own philosophy was exciting for me.
What are you most looking forward to with your Fellowship?
There are many fun projects we have discussed already, but the thing I am most looking forward to is helping out with the annual WPLN Summit next summer in Orlando! I followed this year’s summit in Denver closely on social media, and found it inspiring to see so many women-centric organizations across the country come together to edify, encourage, and support each other. There is such an outstanding number of women and men that support this mission, and I am looking forward to getting to know them better as we work towards this goal!
What do you see as one of the biggest challenges for women in leadership today?
There is this great chasm in the realm of women in roles of leadership, particularly regarding the dichotomy of women as both leaders and as wives/mothers. Who I am today is the result of a strong, driven, and inspirational single mother. Not only were statistics against her, and myself for that matter, but also group thought, and worst of all–other women. I've witnessed countless instances where a woman, wife, or mother has been doubted as a leader for no other reason than her sex and marital status. Some women have challenged this by showing up and showing out with their children at work: like in 2018 when Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, attended the UN Assembly with her infant in her lap, or when Icelandic Member of Parliament, Unnur Bra Konradsdottir, breastfed her infant while delivering an unexpected speech in 2016. I greatly respect WPLN’s effort in taking the extra step, one not often done, to offer childcare at their in-person programming. This inclusive approach allows women to be seen holistically, empowering them to be leaders while also being supported in their role as a wife, mother, and/or caretaker.
How do you plan to impact your community post-graduation?
As a recent graduate with my Bachelor's in Political Science for Legal Studies and Bachelor's of Social Work, I am currently both on the Hill and in graduate school, and am excited to continue to pursue both those things. With my undergraduate background in Social work and Legal Studies, I have ambitions to approach inter-state relations and policy with a macro systems perspective. This has the opportunity to open itself to varied directions, and have current interests that lean towards foreign service, diplomacy, and international NGOs. In short, I am excited to see where this next stage of life will take me!
What is your favorite quote by a woman who has impacted your life?
“Women are like a tea bag–you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
I have long loved this quote, first as an avid tea-drinker and second as one who has great respect for Mrs. Roosevelt. Eleanor was truly a female powerhouse that often doesn’t get recognized for much of her work and demonstration of her own quote: her strength in difficult situations. As first lady from 1933-1945, a time the nation was literally in hot water itself, she stepped up as role model and leader for not only women, but all people of the nation. She was influential with her husband, in the picking of his Presidential cabinet, and the implementation of the New Deal. Her political activism out-lived the time of her husband’s political career, and eventually resulted in her nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. Eleanor’s dedication to women, humanity, and justice is something I greatly admire, and I strive to emulate her strength in the hot waters of this century.