Junior Anwar Omeish stood face to face with President Barack Obama. Amid the rally frenzy, Omeish’s emotions can be summed up in one word: excitement. Omeish met Obama at his Centreville High School campaign stop on July 14. She was there as part of her volunteer work as a part-time organizing fellow for Obama for America.
“As someone who has always been interested in not only politics but also in equal opportunity, it was gratifying to finally meet one of the people who I feel like is pioneering that,” Omeish said.
Omeish dedicates over 15 hours a week to the campaign effort. Her jobs span from canvassing, phone banking and voter registration to administrative work such inputting data and setting up packets and maps for canvassers.
“We want to spread the president’s message and explain to voters why he is the right choice for this country,” Obama for America field organizer Niket Todi said. “We do this primarily through phone calling and door knocking. We also do voter registration to help people empower themselves.”
Omeish finds that the most satisfying part of her work is the interaction with people in the community because ultimately, her campaign work is for them.
“One of the most rewarding experiences is being able to mobilize the community to change the way we look at different members of our society and the way we make policy so that everyone can live a better life,” she said.
Before Omeish began working primarily at the Obama for America Falls Church office, she had already immersed herself in politics by making phone calls for the 2008 Obama campaign.
“I’ve been a Democrat since birth, and I’ve been going to rallies since the age of four. My family, my dad especially, has always been pretty involved,” she said.
Omeish’s interest in politics makes her aware of what is appealing about Obama.
“He’s putting us on the right track both fiscally and socially, and I really think he’s working towards equal opportunity for everyone,” Omeish said. “He cares about what he’s doing, and he’s passionate about it. That’s really important to me, and when I look at other candidates, I don’t see that.”
Omeish plans to help out with future campaigns and seek a career in international relations or political science.
“When you go out and you meet people who are suffering and people who are actually affected by lawmaking, you realize how important it is to fight for the things you believe in,” Omeish said. “It’s definitely something I want to continue for the rest of my life.”
(This article originally appeared in the October 12, 2012 print edition.)