Alumni Profiles
Emily Craig '01
Ask not what your country can do for you...
In 2008, before Barack Obama was elected president, Emily Craig ’01 asked herself, “What can I do?” As it turned out, quite a bit.
Emily became involved in the political world through her neighbor, a successful Republican fundraiser. She grew active in Sewickley’s political circuit, from stuffing envelopes to attending a series of events with Republicans like Arlen Specter, Rudy Giuliani, George W. Bush, and Lynn Swan.
A combination of these experiences, a valued Sewickley Academy education, and a passion for politics put Emily in a position to be politically successful on her own. She and Nick Smyth ’01 joined forces to support the Obama campaign with a fundraiser in April 2008. “The event took on a life of its own and ended up bringing together a really diverse group of people," she said. "We raised more money than we ever anticipated.”
In early 2012, Emily was asked to be a delegate for Pennsylvania’s Congressional District 12. After accepting, she sought out 250 signatures from her district to get on the ballot. On April 24, 2012, Emily received more than 41,000 votes and was invited to attend the Democratic National Convention.
She left the convention feeling inspired and with plans for the future. “I want to play a meaningful role and do even more than I did in this past election,” she said.
Whatever the case, the candidate must be someone Emily believes in. “My heart has to be in it,” she said. As she prefers the behind the scenes role, Emily is a good person to have in your corner.
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Emily became involved in the political world through her neighbor, a successful Republican fundraiser. She grew active in Sewickley’s political circuit, from stuffing envelopes to attending a series of events with Republicans like Arlen Specter, Rudy Giuliani, George W. Bush, and Lynn Swan.
A combination of these experiences, a valued Sewickley Academy education, and a passion for politics put Emily in a position to be politically successful on her own. She and Nick Smyth ’01 joined forces to support the Obama campaign with a fundraiser in April 2008. “The event took on a life of its own and ended up bringing together a really diverse group of people," she said. "We raised more money than we ever anticipated.”
In early 2012, Emily was asked to be a delegate for Pennsylvania’s Congressional District 12. After accepting, she sought out 250 signatures from her district to get on the ballot. On April 24, 2012, Emily received more than 41,000 votes and was invited to attend the Democratic National Convention.
She left the convention feeling inspired and with plans for the future. “I want to play a meaningful role and do even more than I did in this past election,” she said.
Whatever the case, the candidate must be someone Emily believes in. “My heart has to be in it,” she said. As she prefers the behind the scenes role, Emily is a good person to have in your corner.
