Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams spoke to more than 500 attendees at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in April as part of President Heidi M. Anderson’s Presidential Lecture Series.
Abrams, who served ten years in the Georgia House of Representatives and became the first woman to serve as House Minority Leader, shared her experiences and views on political engagement with students, faculty, staff, and community members. She is also recognized for being the first woman to earn a Democratic nomination for governor in the United States and for her efforts during the 2020 U.S. Presidential election that contributed to shifting Georgia from Republican to Democratic.
Students were eager to hear Abrams’ perspective on current political affairs and their potential roles in shaping society. Senior aerospace engineering major Keith Ceruti II said after the event, “Activities like this are an opportunity for our university to learn what it is we can do to help the next generation, so the future looks a little brighter.”
UMES Student Government Association President Armani Dukes expressed his connection with Abrams due to their shared experience as SGA presidents at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). “I was truly moved by Stacey Abrams and her powerful message on the importance of HBCUs,” said Dukes. “She spoke on the impact of defunding these institutions and emphasized that for people to truly care about HBCUs, they must first understand their value, legacy, and the vital role they play in shaping our communities.”
Abrams encouraged individual activism through her “10 Steps to Freedom & Power” campaign aimed at countering authoritarianism. Dr. Miriam Purnell from UMES’s College of Pharmacy and Health Professions commented on this message: “One thing the speaker said that I took away and want students to remember is that voting is not magic, it’s math, so when we show up, we make a difference and not just in national elections, but local elections too.”
Abrams also addressed misinformation targeting young people online: “They are targeting not just your generation but your demographic… The weapon you have is decision making. You can decide not to watch. The world will not explode while you’re not on your phone.”
President Anderson expressed satisfaction with Abrams’ visit: she expects future lecture series guests will inspire similar curiosity among students and community members.
A New York Times Best Selling Author and attorney, Abrams continues work focused on maintaining fair elections across America.
