VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Jennifer Dowd


(Jennifer Dowd is the second from the right)

SAVE Dade applauds Jennifer Dowd for volunteering over a year of invaluable work for both SAVE Dade and the LGBT community. Jennifer first began working with SAVE Dade in January 2007 canvassing at the polls during the presidential primaries. Today, she continues working closely with SAVE Dade as the leader of UM for Equality, a University of Miami student organization soon to be known officially as Students for Equality. Under her leadership, Students for Equality has stood shoulder to shoulder with SAVE Dade in the fight for LGBT rights, organizing phone banks, fielding door-to-door canvassing and participating in fundraising. Aside from the tremendous work she has performed on the field, Jennifer has also been an asset in training and recruiting new volunteers behind the scenes.

“I’ll pretty much do whatever you need me to do,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer, 20, is a Central Florida native who competed with fellow top students in the ivy program at her high school. She spent much of her youth playing baseball, softball and the euphonium in band. Last semester, she put aside the instrument and picked up social work in its place.

As someone who has always been pro-rights oriented, she jumped at the chance to join UM for Equality when it was first founded at her college campus. Being one of the first to join the group, alongside her best friend, Jennifer took it upon herself to seek out and inspire others to join the cause as well. She went knocking door to door on campus dorm rooms, promoting the group and recruiting volunteers. Jennifer said her favorite part of the whole experience is getting to teach, recruit and motivate volunteers. While she is not afraid to be at the frontlines of the fight for equality, it is the satisfaction of changing the mind of young people and inspiring them to join the fight that she treasures most.

“The more young people get involved in the movement, the quicker we see results,” said SAVE Dade Executive Director CJ Ortuno. “Jennifer serves as the model for young people when advocating for gay and lesbian people’s rights. She is the example.”

Jennifer has always been fond of the LGBT community. She said that for some reason, she has always surrounded herself with gay friends as far back as the 4^th grade, and has “tons and tons of gay friends” in her life today. As a straight ally, Jennifer has been key in engaging other straight people to support the cause and to understand the importance of why we fight.

“The more I got into it, the more inspired I became,” said Jennifer, “and the more real it becomes.”

Jennifer recalled the joy she felt this past March in being part of the large coalition of organizations and volunteers that helped defeat discriminatory Charter Amendment 1 in Gainesville. Currently, Jennifer and the members of Students for Equality are enjoying the progress that has come to LGBT rights this spring, including the passing the hate crimes bill, and the various victories in same-sex marriage.

“If we keep winning then I’ll be out of work to do,” she joked. “But that’s a good thing.”