Rudy Garrett

 “I believe it is critical to show young people that they can make a difference in their communities and that they must take an active role in our political system if they want to effect change,” says Rudy Garrett, WMC board member.

As co-deputy director of Chicago Votes,[Note: I will hyperlink to website] Rudy spends much of her time “working with young, driven Chicagoans who are ready to get their hands dirty and learn the grassroots basics of our democracy.” 

Chicago Votes is a nonprofit that educates, trains, and empowers the next generation of Chicagoans. The organization helps young people organize large-scale volunteer events; oversee voter registration drives; host panels, debates, and conferences; and much more.

  “Our programs act as springboards for young leaders to enter the life of political and public service,” Rudy says.

  A Hoosier native, Rudy graduated from Denison University 2013 with a B.A in political science and international studies. An accomplished home chef, she moved to Chicago in August of 2013 to attend culinary school, but found her inner organizer instead.

While working at a law firm in the Loop, she completed the Chicago Votes' 2014 Winter Internship program. She went on to take a job as a Chicago Votes field organizer during its 2014 summer voter registration project and has been working with the organization ever since.

Since 2015, Rudy has headed Chicago Votes' leadership development programming and its popular high school Parade to the Polls™ — where the organization, in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools, transports thousands of area high school and college students to the polls to vote in elections for the very first time.

“In my current position as co-deputy director, I continue to encourage young Chicagoans to take an active role in their community through voting and civic action,” Rudy says. “As a queer woman of color, I am committed to uplifting the voice and experiences young people from diverse communities.”

Rudy also believes in the power of marching.

“We are in a time where vulnerable populations are actively being written out of our history,” says Rudy, who joined WMC’s board in August 2018. “I march and help organize marches to build a more inclusive movement that sees and respects all female identified people and fights for all peoples' collective liberation.”

When Rudy isn’t out organizing Chicago’s youth or Women’s Marches, she can be found cooking and running, she says. “And I also enjoy spending time with other movement makers across the city.”