Never in my life had I met a senator, so seeing Minnesota State Senator Erin Murphy (SD64) speak in person—up close and in real time—was genuinely exciting. I kept thinking, Who gets the chance to meet someone like that? When I walked into the auditorium at Carondelet Village and saw it packed, I was stunned. It was powerful to witness how many people were drawn to hear her talk about real issues affecting Minnesotans: health care, gun laws, immigration, farming, and more.

Senator Murphy reminded us that she is no different from the people she serves—that her job is to listen and speak on our behalf. Seeing a woman hold that kind of influence while staying grounded in her values was inspiring. What stayed with me most was her honesty. She spoke openly about what she can do, what is already underway, and what her team is working to improve. It felt real and authentic, and it left me hopeful about the leadership representing our state.

One moment that particularly struck me was when she talked about ICE. She questioned why agents hide their faces while removing people from their homes, asking, “Why hide your identity when you’re impacting lives so deeply?” Her words made me pause and reflect on fairness, accountability, and the kind of leadership our communities deserve.

After the meeting, I had the chance to speak with her one on one. I asked what had motivated her to take action. She shared that a family member had encouraged her to step up and address the issues she cared about. That moment stayed with me. It showed how one committed person can spark real change and inspire an entire community. Courage is contagious, spreading through the people we influence and the actions we choose to take.

— by Moraima Bernabe, St. Catherine University Student Intern