Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Red Circle | Spotify | YouTube
Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that explores the stories of life and leadership from extraordinary women – and men – who are making a difference and creating a better world. Each episode features powerful conversations filled with personal stories, insights, and actionable advice to inspire you to lead, learn, and make a difference.
Show Notes:
Dr. Nancy welcomes Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Stewart shares how her early passion for justice and civil rights led to her role in championing democracy. Growing up in a military family and inspired by her mother’s childhood experiences of cruelty during racial integration, she knew from a young age she wanted to make a difference in the country her family served.
Stewart highlights the League’s impactful Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign, designed to mobilize millions of voters through grassroots action, education, and partnerships. By addressing voter misinformation and barriers, the League empowers voters to amplify their voices. Stewart emphasizes the importance of hyperlocal engagement to inspire change and reminds listeners that everyone has a role in protecting democracy. Whether attending community events or using League resources, action is crucial when it comes to creating the kind of government we want.
Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform to stay inspired and engaged in shaping our democracy.
About Celina Stewart:
Celina Stewart is CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States, leading efforts to empower voters and defend democracy. She spearheads initiatives like equity-centered transformation and voter engagement for 2024, while strengthening alignment across 750 state and local Leagues. Since joining in 2018, Celina has championed major campaigns, including People Powered Fair Maps™ to combat gerrymandering and One Person One Vote to end the Electoral College. A sought-after voting rights expert, she has appeared on major media and spoken at top institutions. With a JD from Western Michigan Law and a BA from Spelman College, Celina brings deep expertise and passion to her work.
Timestamp:
0:00 — Welcome and Introduction
Dr. Nancy introduces Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States, highlighting her dedication to empowering voters and defending democracy.
2:24 — Stewart’s Early Influences
Stewart reflects on her upbringing, family, and early life experiences and how her passion for justice and protecting human rights shaped her path into law and politics with an intense interest in defending equal rights.
4:20 — Joining the League of Women Voters
Stewart shares her path to the League, starting in 2018 as Director of Advocacy and Litigation, and her efforts to lead impactful legal cases addressing harms to voting rights.
5:56 —Changes Occurring Now and Need for Action
Dr. Nancy details her concern for the many actions occurring to eliminate women from federal documents and public discourse and the need to educate and mobilize people for change.
8:00 — Educating Women for 105 Years
Stewart reviews how women in the 1920s shared information at gatherings to promote issues supporting women and built the League’s strategies for today.
10:30 — The Unite and Rise Campaign
Stewart details the League’s Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign, which is focused on combating misinformation, increasing voter participation, educating people about how government works, and strengthening community engagement to protect democracy.
14:42 — Building the Democracy We Want
Stewart explains how through Unite and Rise 8.5, the League plans to provide short, 90-day actions based on what has worked in other countries facing authoritarian governments.
18:20 — Addressing Information Challenges
Stewart acknowledges the different sources of information from social media to podcasts. People don’t know how to tell fact from fiction and change the narrative around issues like the SAVE Act, due process, and the federal budget.
23:38 —What Government Can and Cannot Do
Stewart talks about the need to talk about real impacts on everyday people throughout the country—of Americans being exiled (not deported), how tariffs will affect people’s 401Ks, how farmers are losing their family farms, and more.
26:00 —Actions to Reach New Voters
The discussion turns to how the League will reach people who don’t vote: concerts, festivals, continuing work in schools, naturalization ceremonies to reach new voters, but also into communities where people can share their stories and put a face to who is suffering from lack of resources, and who is responsible.
28:10 — Call to Action for Listeners
Stewart and Dr. Nancy encourage listeners to use their voices, stay informed, get involved in Unite and Rise 8.5, and access the six actions we can take today to get the democracy we deserve.