KAGC Student Spotlight: Hannah Oh, University of Georgia
“By working at the forefront of the political effort, I learned that voting is an essential tool for the political empowerment of racial and ethnic minority communities; it played a crucial role in amplifying their voice in the policymaking process.”
Growing up as the daughter of two pastors of a Korean immigrant church, I was taught the value of public service from a young age. Every Sunday, my parents served not only as ministers, but also as community leaders who connected families to immigration services, government welfare programs, and job opportunities. Assisting their hard work for the community through church and its social network has naturally shaped my passion for public service.
However, witnessing my parents’ role in the church made me wonder how we could bring long-term, systemic changes to our communities. Many times, Korean Americans and other Asian immigrants were at the receiving end of government policies as racial and ethnic minorities.
Rather than being passive recipients, how could we actively be part of the decision-making process and directly influence policies and programs?
Part of the answer came during my freshman year in college. Before the 2020 presidential election, I volunteered to canvass for the Democratic Party of Georgia. By working at the forefront of the political effort, I learned that voting is an essential tool for the political empowerment of racial and ethnic minority communities; it played a crucial role in amplifying their voice in the policymaking process.
Also, my work in a youth-led policy task force and the Senate Research Office (SRO) at the Georgia General Assembly helped me realize the importance of policy advocacy. More than ever, constituents had access to their local representatives and an opportunity to achieve systemic change by contacting legislators, providing testimonies, and engaging in social media campaigns. This was a groundbreaking insight to gain, as every legislative proposal could impact the daily lives of communities.
In addition, the Korean American Grassroots Conference (KAGC) congressional fellowship program opened my eyes to the power of diverse political representation in the legislative process. In a KAGC-hosted panel discussion with Congressional Korean American Staff Association (CKASA) leaders, I was honored to learn how congressional staff had unique access to resources and social networks to advocate for the Korean-American community.
Moreover, it was exciting to learn how congressional members could secure the interests of underrepresented communities through their legislative power. Through an internship with Senator Jon Ossoff’s office, I had the privilege to learn about his vision for the Senate Korea Caucus and his advocacy efforts for Georgia’s immigrant communities, especially on the issue of language access.
Therefore, I’m grateful for the KAGC congressional fellowship for broadening my perspective on public service and its impact on the political empowerment of racial and ethnic minority communities. It taught me the importance of representation among leaders in the legislative process and how policy advocacy efforts become translated into legislative agendas.
Beyond the issue of systemic change, the KAGC fellowship program opened my eyes to how I could integrate my Korean identity into a career in public service.
Growing up in predominantly white communities, I was used to dissociating from my Korean American identity in a professional environment. However, after encountering Korean and Asian American congressional staffers and policy advocates through the program, I learned how I could carry my Korean identity in public service.
As a result, I am excited to move forward with a newfound confidence in my identity and knowledge of the political empowerment of Korean American communities. I hope to apply lessons learned throughout the program in my journey as an advocate for the Korean American and the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) community.
Hannah Oh is a 2023 Congressional Fellowship who worked as the Legislative Intern for the Office of Senator Jon Ossoff (GA). As a rising Senior at The University of Georgia, Hannah will continue to serve as the Executive Director of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Political Alliance (APIDAPA) and the Outreach Director at UGA Votes.
Click here to learn more about KAGC, the largest nationwide network of Korean American voters for opportunities to share the Korean American identity, discuss the key issues of our community, and get our voices heard, counted, and reflected in public policy.
