The Wondrous Experience of Capitol Hill
by Taylor-Ann Greenwood (Spring 2017)
As one of the most diverse cities in the nation, Washington D.C. offers an astonishing array of social, cultural, and historical experiences for its visitors and residents. As I quickly discovered during my internship, the District has a wealth of pocket neighborhoods vibrating with cultural diversity, stunning architecture that cradles our most revered political institutions, and a staggering amount of treasured national monuments and world-renowned museums. For a small-town girl like me, the reality of living, studying, and working in Washington provided a never-ending sense of wonder, as this multifaceted city revealed its distinctive narrative around every corner. Whether viewing the cherry blossoms by the tidal basin, touring historic Lincoln Memorial, or eating at the multitude of ethnic restaurants near my dorm in Woodley Park, the unique sights, sounds, and symbols of the city always provided a wondrous experience.
Perhaps closest to my heart, however, is the narrative of Washington that I discovered while working as a senate staff intern on Capitol Hill. This place bristles with non-stop activity, as senators, representatives, lobbyists, and tourists of all nationalities, cultures, and ethnicities intermingle daily as workers and visitors. I constantly observed a unique mix of bustling energy and historic reverence on Capitol Hill, as I realized how the Capitol truly serves as the spiritual hub of American democracy and the center of congressional legislation.
Taylor-Ann took this scenic photo on her way to a Capitol Hill briefing at work.
Just as importantly, Capitol Hill symbolizes the idea of freedom and equal opportunity for all Americans, no matter what their creed, ethnicity, or race. The legislative proceedings that unfold here not only protect the diverse narratives of America’s people and culture, but also establish the United States as a beacon of hope for the entire world. As a staff intern for Senator Edward Markey, I had a hard time at first keeping up with the events, briefings, and hearings that encompass Capitol Hill. Yet, as I slowly learned to navigate the capitol’s maze of underground tunnels, its internal subway system, and its endless stream of conference rooms, I realized the true significance of Capitol Hill. The meaningfulness of Capitol Hill resides in its crucial role as the place where lawmakers from all over America peacefully gather to conduct the nation’s most important business, safeguard our democratic ideals, and protect the rights of all Americans.
Taylor-Ann poses with Senator Markey to celebrate the end of her internship.
Working on Capitol Hill allowed me to experience things I never imagined possible. I witnessed history in the making as lawmakers debated critical social, economic, and political issues of national and global significance. In just my first week as an intern, I attended a house hearing on the issue of equality for female athletes, monitored a congressional hearing regarding a nominee to the Supreme Court, and observed a senatorial committee deliberate over a cabinet appointee. In addition, my attendance at the presidential inauguration, as well as the numerous opportunities I had to meet with some of America’s most respected and influential lawmakers, helped make my internship a truly memorable experience.
Taylor-Ann and Allie (another BUDC student) share excitement over a class field trip to Capitol Hill and the Senate press galleries.
As I finished leading a tour of the rotunda on the last day of my internship, I realized that I was standing in a unique spot where some of our most honored and revered citizens probably had also once stood. As I reflected on this important point and my entire internship experience, I concluded that the rich diversity of Washington undoubtedly provides something meaningful for every American. While Capitol Hill represents just a small part of Washington, it nevertheless conveys a universal message of hope, freedom, and equality to all people. From my perspective as an intern, visitors flock to Capitol Hill as a way of paying tribute to the unique way that our system of government provides these qualities and shows respect for all of its citizens. In this sense, Capitol Hill validates the proposition that the combined strength of people from diverse backgrounds truly makes an impact on society.
Taylor-Ann is a junior studying public relations, and learning about the intersection between PR and politics while interning on Capitol Hill.
