White House Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes spoke to a standing-room-only crowd at Boston College Law School. (Photo by Melissa Beecher)
White House Policy Director speaks at BC Law
White House Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes spoke to Boston College Law School students Nov. 9 about her career in politics
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White House Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes spoke to a standing-room only crowd at Boston College Law School about her career, working on Capital Hill and the work behind being successful in the public sector.Barnes, who is President Barack Obama's Domestic Policy Adviser and the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, spoke about her career path that unexpectedly lead to the White House in her only Boston-area stop on a Northeast tour.
"Take this opportunity, at this wonderful law school, and squeeze out every opportunity you can get because this does not come around again," said Barnes. "One thing I wholeheartedly believe in is that life is not a dress rehearsal. Use your skills, use your talents, use your passion to get up every morning and do what you love to do."
Barnes said, early in her own career, she realized working in a prestigious New York City Law firm would not give her the kind of personal or professional satisfaction she sought. It was through a strong professional network that she was able to land a job on Capitol Hill. There, she soon found opportunities including the chance to work as Chief Counsel to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee and then, to work as Executive Vice President for Policy at the Center for American Progress.
"There have been some big issues that I have been fortunate to work on, but at the same time, on the same perch, there are some 'smaller' issues. By that, I mean issues that didn't affect hundreds of thousands or millions of people, but important issues. I clearly remember picking up the phone and listening to a woman from Boston, a victim of domestic violence, who called to say 'I fear for my life. I have a little boy, want to get out and I don't know how to navigate the judicial system to get the kind of protection I need. Can you help me?'" recounted Barnes.
"Just about a month ago, I was going through some papers and found a card she had sent me. She had made a donation in my name to a domestic violence shelter, saying 'thank you what you did.'
"The big things, the small things, all meaningful," said Barnes.
Approximately 250 students, faculty and alumni attended Barnes' speech, entitled "Law and Domestic Policy in the Obama Administration". The group then offered a number of questions on domestic policy issues ranging from same-sex marriage to health care to college affordability. The American Constitution Society, the Black Law Students Association, BC Law Democrats, the Community Economic Development Law Group and the Women's Law Center sponsored the event.
Barnes said that she never wanted to work on a political campaign or even considered a position in the White House, but after then-candidate Obama began his historic run for the presidency, felt compelled to become involved. Barnes actively lobbied for Obama, traveling around the country explaining his domestic agenda.
"The stories I heard from the people throughout the country changed the way I do business today," said Barnes.
Sabrina Acloque, Law '09, met Barnes while working an intern in Sen. Kennedy's office years ago. At that time, she had asked Barnes to come to BC to speak to her fellow students.
"She was an inspiration to me then, and I am sure she is an inspiration to many students now," said Acloque.
To view additional photos of the event, visit www.flickr.com/photos/bostoncollegechronicle/