Episode 020: Policy, Advocacy & Social Change with Emily Bell McCormick

Emily Bell McCormick is the founder of The Policy Project: a nonpartisan group of individuals and organizations that advocate for healthy, long-term U.S. policy changes at the local and national level. She started the collective after a visit to South Africa’s Apartheid Museum awakened her to the massive power of “a thousand tiny policies.” Now, she spends her days harnessing that power to tackle gender-based inequities that limit women and girls.In this episode, Emily talks with us about a wide range of policy issues affecting menstruators in the United States, including the tampon tax, lack of free period products in public buildings and gaps in menstrual health education. She also offers pearls of wisdom for aspiring advocates - and shares why women claiming a seat at the table (through bipartisan advocacy) is the only way to create long-lasting, meaningful change.Notable Quotes“The more voices we can add to these kinds of issues, the better. These issues don't belong to one person, or one organization. They belong to all of us. So we all have a role in ensuring healthy policy moving forward. And that role can be pretty simple; it can be as simple as calling your elected official and just saying, “hey, I care about this” …and feeling empowered to do it. Because it's their job to listen to you, and to hear what matters to you.”HighlightsThe origin story of The Policy ProjectHow to turn inspiration into action in the advocacy spaceThe problem with the lack of gender-equitable representation in U.S. legislature Why providing period products in schools, homeless shelters and prisons should be a legislative priority – and how education that fights menstrual stigma can help these policies gain tractionAll about the tampon taxThe importance of using strategic, audience-targeted messaging and language when trying to pass disruptive policiesWhat’s next in the pipeline for advocacy work that supports gender equity in a post-pandemic United StatesConnectWebsite: thepolicyproject.orgInstagram: @emilybellmccormick or @thepolicyprojectEmail: emilybellmccormick@gmail.comBioEmily Bell McCormick is founder of The Policy Project— a group of individuals and like-minded organizations that help move forward healthy, long-term policy at a local and national level. Emily is also the editor of Utah’s NBC affiliate KSL Studio 5 "Smarter" series--informing viewers about issues, government, policies and politics of the time and helping to empower viewers to find their place in it all. Emily is an experienced communication strategy consultant with a history of working in a myriad of industries including government, policy, NGOs, tech and fashion. Skilled in public affairs, advocacy, public policy, public speaking, public relations, campaign management, investor relations, strategic communication planning, events and writing. Master’s degree from The Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University. Support the Show.Please support us at daysforgirls.org