Voorhees Student Learns the Ways of Washington
Five month internship with Senator Menendez shows Jordan Peebles the power of constituent voices
For the past five months, Jordan Peebles from Voorhees has been working in Senator Bob Menendez’s office in Washington, D.C., starting just as the new Congress began reviewing President Trump’s cabinet nominees. An average day for Jordan involved staying in consistent communication with New Jerseyans who flooded the office with calls and emails, and communicating to the senator and his staff which issues New Jerseyans cared about, and how they were hoping the senator voted. Additionally, Jordan went to various Congressional hearings and briefings, writing memos for Senator Menendez and his staff to ensure the senator didn’t miss any new piece of research or report that was released. Interns in Senator Menendez’s office don’t get coffee or make copies; they are engaged in the serious work of communicating with constituents, and keeping Senate staff up-to-date on the latest news and research about the issues of the day.
“I am very grateful for the work Jordan has done for my office over these last five months,” said Senator Menendez. “My constituents are the reason I am here, and therefore one of the most important things to me. Thanks to Jordan’s tireless work I am able to ensure that my constituents’ voices are heard so that I can serve them best.”
Jordan Peebles is from Voorhees, New Jersey and is a senior at American University studying International Relations and Spanish. She has previous internship experience at several nonprofits including CentroNía and Dress for Success. Last year she studied abroad in Madrid for five months and interned at a nonprofit there named MAYAS. On campus she is an ambassador for the University Honors Program, the Office Manager for AU Club Council, and a member of the SPA Leadership Program. Jordan’s passions include education, foreign policy, and the advancement of women’s rights.
