7 Ways to Be an Effective 21st-Century Political Activist

Earlier this year, Erin Schrode, a 25-year-old Californian, ran to be America’s youngest female Congresswoman. The New York University graduate and founder of the environmental nonprofit, Turning Green, waged an underdog fight against fellow Democratic incumbent, Jared Huffman. The opponents were in agreement about the issues facing the state’s liberal North Coast (which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the forested Oregon border), but Schrode argued it was time for young people to take the reins in Washington. Although she came in a distant third in the June primary, Schrode brought a youthful energy to staid Congressional politics and believes she switched up the dynamics of the race.
NationSwell spoke to her recently while she was on a visit to New York City about the lessons she’s learned about political organizing in the era of hashtag activism.
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MORE: #ComeClean About Where That Vanilla Aroma Really Comes From
 
 

#ComeClean About What Hard-Working People Deserve

As a participant in Seventh Generation’s Come Clean campaign, NationSwell is asking that cleaning and hygiene product companies do the same thing that Seventh Generation has done for the last 27 years: disclose all of a product’s ingredients so consumers can make educated choices about what they bring into their homes.
To do this, we teamed up with activists and environmental advocates, including Richmond, Calif.-based housecleaner Elva Aguilar. Several years ago, she began having a variety of health problems that she eventually traced to the cleaners used in her daily work. After changing what products she used and her habits, Aguilar’s health recovered. Now she is advocating on behalf of other housecleaners.
Watch the video above to see Aguilar speak out on behalf of her colleagues.

#ComeClean for Life’s Twists and Turns

As a participant in Seventh Generation’s Come Clean campaign, NationSwell is asking that cleaning and hygiene product companies do the same thing that Seventh Generation has done for the last 27 years: disclose all of a product’s ingredients so consumers can make educated choices about what they bring into their homes.
To do this, we teamed up with activists and environmental advocates like Kristi Marsh who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. Watch the video above to see how Marsh, founder of the website ChooseWiser and the author of “Little Changes,” began educating herself and others about the chemical dangers lurking in our everyday products.

#ComeClean to Prioritize Health

As a participant in Seventh Generation’s Come Clean campaign, NationSwell is asking that cleaning and hygiene product companies do the same thing that Seventh Generation has done for the last 27 years: disclose all of a product’s ingredients so consumers can make educated choices about what they bring into their homes.
To do this, we teamed up with activists and environmental advocates, including 24-year-old Erin Schrode. Today, she’s running for Congress in California’s District 2. But her dedication to the public’s wellbeing started more than a decade ago, when, at the age of 13, she co-founded Turning Green, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental advocacy.
Watch the video above to learn why proper ingredient disclosure is vital to one’s health and wellbeing.

#ComeClean to Protect Your Family’s Wellbeing

As a participant in Seventh Generation’s Come Clean campaign, NationSwell is asking cleaning and hygiene product companies do the same thing that Seventh Generation has done for the last 27 years: disclose all of a product’s ingredients so consumers can make educated choices about what they bring into their homes.
To do this, we teamed up with activists and environmental advocates, including New York City-based documentary filmmaker and father of two, Jon Whelan. His film, STINK!, reveals his three-year-long quest to uncover the source of a strange smell emanating from his daughter’s pajamas.
Watch the video above to hear what he learned about household products while filming his documentary.

#ComeClean To Live the Healthiest Life Possible

As a participant in Seventh Generation’s Come Clean campaign, NationSwell is asking that cleaning and hygiene product companies do the same thing that Seventh Generation has done for the last 27 years: disclose all of a product’s ingredients so consumers can make educated choices about what they bring into their homes.
To do this, we teamed up with activists and environmental advocates like Kristi Marsh who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. Watch the video above to see how Marsh, founder the website ChooseWiser and the author of “Little Changes,” began educating herself and others about the chemical dangers lurking in our everyday products.

#ComeClean About Household Cleaners

As a participant in Seventh Generation’s Come Clean campaign, NationSwell is asking that cleaning and hygiene product companies do the same thing that Seventh Generation has done for the last 27 years: disclose all of a product’s ingredients so consumers can make educated choices about what they bring into their homes.
To do this, we teamed up with activists and environmental advocates, including Richmond, Calif.-based housecleaner Elva Aguilar.  Several years ago, she began having a variety of health problems that she eventually traced to the cleaners used in her daily work.  After changing her products and habits, Aguilar’s health recovered.  Now she is advocating on behalf of other housecleaners.
Watch the video above to see Aguilar speak out for her colleagues.