Michelle Kwan, the most decorated Olympic figure skater in U.S. history, serves as a surrogate outreach coordinator for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. She represented Clinton at the College Democrats' "Fighting for Us" forum on Thursday night at the Darla Moore School of Business.
Kwan has been extremely active in politics since her skating career ended in 2006.
“When I finished skating, I think I had to ask myself, 'OK, here I am 25, 26. I'm not doing triple salchows. What am I going to do with the rest of my life?" Kwan said. "I kind of dove into school and public service ... I ended up really building what was always the highest honor for me in my skating career. That was representing the United States."
Kwan went back to school with a focus on political science and was appointed as the first public diplomacy envoy with the State Department. In this position, she traveled the world talking about educational and social issues. After she went to graduate school and got another job at the State Department, where she worked under Secretary Hillary Clinton.
“[I] saw firsthand her leadership and her vision and what she was able to accomplish as Secretary of State," she said. "And I think of her when she went to ... Yale Law School. I think of how she could have easily gone to a very comfortable law firm, but she ended up going to work for the Children’s Defense Fund, actually, here in South Carolina. And that was in the 70s fighting for children with disabilities."
As the surrogate outreach coordinator, Kwan works with many celebrities that endorse Clinton, including Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, John Legend, Lady Gaga and Drew Barrymore.
“It’s fun because I get to be able to coordinate with them, their schedule and to hear their personal connections of why they got involved in the campaign. And to hear those stories and how powerful that is to connect to audiences around the country and really resonating and being able to amplify Hillary’s message," Kwan said.
The intimate setting allowed Kwan to speak with each student, and she even returned questions, asking students what they value most about Clinton's platform. Fourth-year journalism student Morgan Simpson believes most in Clinton's support of the LGBT community.
"I have one friend who's just so scared to come out ... and I just know that Hillary will sort of pave a way for more acceptance that Obama has already kind of started, with the Supreme Court hearing and repealing 'Don’t ask, don’t tell,'” Simpson said.
Second-year finance and economics student Laura Berardi also expressed her confidence in Clinton's abilities.
“Hillary’s going to stand up for my voice in the boardroom," Berardi said. "Some of my male colleagues are maybe called on more in class ... That’s such a big voice you’re missing out on ... I really support how Hillary will stand up for my voice and also my rights."
Kwan encouraged the students to realize the difference they can make and to get involved by voting in the South Carolina Democratic primary on Feb. 27.
“She's had this track record of fighting for everyday Americans," Kwan said. "I think her record in public service is making a difference ... We need somebody who has that experience in terms of record and fighting, but also the experience of Secretary of State, First Lady and Senator to be able to understand both what’s happening in the states in domestic policy and also reform policy."