Russell James Edwards

My personal volunteering highlight:

I was so pleased to have my mother join me on numerous canvassing trips in support of Barack Obama. Her first vote in a presidential election was cast for George Wallace, so I was amazed by her transformation. She was very effective at inspiring people to vote as we strolled together through disaffected communities of government housing. She had a particular gift for reaching the young men, as if she was still managing her middle school classroom. On election day, we drove the community we canvassed looking for people who hadn't yet voted. We found three elderly people and gave them a ride to the polls. Turns out, none of them had ever voted. They took their time casting their ballots, making sure they got it right. One of the voters climbed back in our car with a serene look of empowerment as if he had just climbed a mountain. It made my mother and I feel like we made a difference not just in the election, but in that man's life.

More about my volunteering with progressive organizations:

I am active in the American Constitution Society, a leading progressive legal organization. I organize campus events at UGA Law which serve the organization's mission. I am also President of the Equal Justice Foundation, a fundraising organization which provides stipends for law students who work in the public interest over the summer. This year, we issued grants totaling $22,000. I also recently started a non-profit called the Georgia Mural Project, which installs community-inspired murals in negative urban spaces. We hope to install our first mural in Athens, GA, this summer.

More about my work on current campaigns and issues:

I am currently active in reclaiming urban space for the good of the community. This activity manifests itself in my nascent organization, the Georgia Mural Project.

What motivates me:

I am motivated by the enormous challenges I face and posterity. I want to be known as someone who lived serving the community.

How I try to motivate others:

I motivate others by setting an example of how one might create positive change in the community. I organize numerous opportunities for involvement and ask people to take part, prodding them until they outright refuse. I believe that activism inherently involves a degree of pestering, and I seek to motivate others by proving to them that their time will be well-spent serving others. I also motivate others by lavishing praise on those who are involved in supporting the progressive movement, in whatever capacity.

Where I see myself in five years:

Winning battles.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan for the Stand with Dr. Dean campaign:

Universal healthcare keeps Americans from dying in the street.