Emerson Fellow
Bridget Purdue
10th Class, 2003-2004
Bridget is from Lexington, Kentucky, and is a 2003 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she majored in Economics with a minor in Philosophy and Politics. At Notre Dame, Bridget worked as a court watch volunteer for a local YWCA Domestic Violence shelter, helped to research and develop a service-learning course for students, and organized a dialogue discussing civic engagement among Notre Dame students.
Field placement: Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Los Angeles, California
Bridget worked to increase awareness of the prevalence of hunger in specific Los Angeles-area communities by conducting a Hunger Education Project Plan. She collected and analyzed data from the California Health Interview Survey and other sources and created a portfolio of communications materials, including fact sheets, resource guides, and public messages. She used these materials to facilitate press conferences and organize events with food banks, community organizations, and local elected officials.
Policy placement: NETWORK
Washington, D.C.
Bridget worked with the Education Program on several projects designed to educate and empower voters in the 2004 election. Bridget designed NETWORK’s online Presidential Election Chart, contributing educational documents on economic justice issues to NETWORK’s election website, and organizing the distribution of NETWORK’s Voter Education Series to groups throughout the country.