I became involved with President Obamas' 2008 campaign because he was the first major presidential candidate with whom I could really identify. As the product of two immigrant families, I connected with his background and, like the President, feel that all that come to this country for safer and better lives for themselves and their children should be presented the same opportunities through education and entrepreneurship.

As a history major at Arizona State University I believe that at this juncture in our history we need a leader like Barack Obama that understands that you do not need to be born in this country to understand the importance of the American dream. That is why during this election I am proud to be an Arizona State Sun Devil for Obama. Many other students feel the way I do, which is why registering Young Americans to vote will be my way of contributing to the grassroots movement and turning Arizona blue. The Summer Fellowship is a great way to get involved, I applied, and so should you.

Name: Monica Wisehart

Campaign role: Obama Organizing Fellow

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Organizing in: Phoenix, Arizona

Q1. What do you do for the campaign?

I am an organizing fellow for OFA-AZ. I have done it all from voter registration to data entry to phone banking.

Q2. How did you first come to the campaign?

I donated $25 to the campaign online because my mom asked me to donate to her grassroots page. I filled out all the basic info and then I checked that box that asks if I’d like to volunteer. I later forgot that I had checked that box - whoops! In October I got a call from a Fall Fellow with the campaign named Gabby. Gabby asked me if I’d like to come in to have a one on one meeting with her. I told her I was too busy to volunteer on a campaign and ended our call. In November I went to vote in whatever local election was happening. I got into my car after voting and began to realize exactly how effective voting could be. It was because of voting that I had such an awesome president! I needed to get other people out to vote! I found Gabby’s number in my phone and gave her a call. The rest is history.

Q3. What’s your favorite part of your role?

My favorite part of my role in the campaign is that for the first time in my life I truly feel like I am able to be a part of change. Turning Arizona blue is very important to me because Arizona is my home and after the election is all said and done I want to be proud of the work I’ve done here on the ground. Arizona is a large part of my identity and I’d like the political atmosphere here to reflect that. I’d love to see President Obama win here and for Arizona to take a big leap forward!

Q4. What’s the most unexpected part of your role?

The most unexpected part of my role has been the friendships I’ve forged along the way. The people I work with everyday on this campaign are so wonderful. I love their drive to get the president re-elected and for the first time in my life I have friends I can discuss politics with! My Regional Field Directors and my state field director are the people who keep me coming back on my most busy days. OFA - Arizona is definitely a family and I am proud to be a part of it.

Q5. Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I am a fourth generation Arizonan and very proud of it. My family is what you would call “old Phoenix” and there is even a street here named after our family (Coles). In my spare time I am a lifeguard and will often be found around an OFA office in shorts even on the coldest days (low 60s).

Become a Summer Organizing Fellow and work with fun people like Monica!

What a great weekend for Organizing for America Arizona! We opened up a new office, registered voters at the Pride Festival, and kicked off Latinos for Obama. I am so proud of the work put in by our volunteers and staff over the past few weeks. We were overjoyed to have more than 150 people come to our office opening in West Phoenix - the heart of the Latino community in Maricopa County. Thank yous are due to the many local elected officials that came to visit and fire up the crowd for President Obama including Phoenix City Councilmen Michael Johnson and Daniel Valenzuela. I was proud to hear Councilman Valenzuela talk about his support for the President and what that means to Latinos across Phoenix. State Rep. Anna Tovar also visited us and we also welcomed Paul Penzone, a candidate for Maricopa County Sheriff. Penzone talked about his support for President Obama and what the President's accomplishments mean to him. Volunteers from across the county came - including West Valley Team Leader Roberta Medina, one of our longest serving volunteers. Overall, it was a great weekend - just another one in our campaign to turn Arizona blue. Check out this slideshow, get excited, then get involved!