From the president
Rachel Tao, a third-year student at Georgetown University pursuing a degree in government and sociology, leads her peers in addressing the systemic challenges that perpetuate socioeconomic disparities in the Asian American community. She has coordinated inclusive programming and led fundraising for Georgetown’s Asian American Student Association as its Co-President and has focused her professional work on illuminating the Asian perspective to address economic inequality through her various government internship roles. Rachel has a clear vision of the impact she wishes to make in her community and is determined to develop and implement solutions through advocacy and public policy. She demonstrates a collaborative leadership style that enables her to unite communities and individuals for the betterment of our common good. After graduation, Rachel hopes to continue advancing awareness through her work in politics, focusing on racial and labor justice.
Personal Statement
As the daughter of Chinese immigrants growing up in Alabama, I initially became interested in social justice by experiencing the marginalization my family and others around me faced. When I arrived at Georgetown University, I learned how racial and economic justice interact through community and government service both on and off campus. On the Hilltop, I became involved with the Asian American community, which cemented my passion for addressing socioeconomic disparities in my community. Now, as Co-President of Georgetown’s Asian American Student Association, I work to include all Asian Americans by adapting our programming, starting affinity groups, and fundraising for nonprofit organizations serving our community. While interning at the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice, I have focused on bringing an Asian American perspective into my work. For example, I helped to plan the Department of Labor’s first Asian American community roundtable to discuss unique issues that Asian American workers face. To address economic inequality among Asian Americans, I believe in a community-centered approach to public policy. Through my advocacy and work in government, I bring awareness to Asian Americans who can be forgotten and build a larger, more inclusive movement for racial and economic equality.