A graduate of sunny University of Southern California, McPherson has spent her entire career in political service. Her speciality in political strategy and grassroots organization has helped several notable campaigns, from Reese Wright in ‘12 to most recently President John Knight. Despite her numerous successes, I suspect Maya McPherson doesn't want to indulge her feelings.
“At her core, she’s a private person,” says her friend, Gabe Perez, a staff member of Representative Teresa Powell. It's often the case that those the most private in politics either have skeletons to hide or are too modest for the spotlight. It's a pretty obvious guess that Maya is the latter.
For those interested in politics, there’s a catalyst that sparks an individual’s interest, whether it be power, community, or representation. Maya’s interest in politics dates back to her high school days. “I love talking about this,” giggles McPherson. “I really have to attribute my time in high school to when I established a fan club for Mischief with my best friend…You could think of it as my political origin story,” Maya chuckles. Mischief, a boy band that rivaled NSYNC and Backstreet Boys in the ‘90s, was known for their hit "Until It Rains," and of course bad boy lead-singer Charlie Blake. “Discovering that joint love with my best friend, we started a national fan club when we were 15 years old and it was then that I truly learnt the power of organizing, and to this day, I can still remember the thrill of mobilizing a group of fans, and how contagious their eagerness was.”
She’s long been an advocate for nourishing the interest of younger girls. “Most importantly, I think this was incredibly formative in teaching myself that I had a passion to nurture. It’s crazy to say that it’s been about two decades but following our success, I do my best to foster the dreams of young girls - no matter how frivolous they may seem.” It appears that Mischief worked in McPherson’s favor of putting her on the path of political strategy and not stranded in the desert waiting for the rain.
“That said, it can be addicting despite politics being chaotic at times. People often speak of a high when on the debate floor; you know, finding that right line to deploy that right argument? Developing a strategy to counter any potential attacks? Ultimately though, it does come down to one thing. Talking to others in politics, we’ve all heard the same things. The common denominator is the feeling of power. And, why should men be the only ones to feel in power?”
Maya’s sentiments resonate with many, including myself - why should men be the only ones to feel power, or to even exert it? It’s clear from the fire behind Maya’s eyes that she has an underlying meaning to her statement. McPherson may have helped Senator Knight win the election and the House, but he doesn’t have the Senate. It’s never been more crucial than now to flip it. To say that a lot is at stake would be the understatement of the year.
Women’s reproductive rights is at the forefront of issues and it’s one of the key topics that has Maya rallying to register voters for this year’s election. “I know we say every election is the most important one but there’s so much at risk and I truly believe that women will be the ones to decide this election. We have women’s health on the line - our reproductive rights, our bodily autonomy. I mean, women’s lives are endangered across the country.”
Many across the aisle flare in anger at words like Maya’s, stating that they’re untrue but the numbers and the stories speak for themselves. Following the repeal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, women lost the right to abortion access in several states, particularly in the Deep South. The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. ranks our country as the highest amongst developed countries. In 2020, a study using state-specific data from the University of Colorado estimated a 24% increase in maternal death should abortion become banned federally, with the risk even higher for Black patients, at 39%. While Roe v. Wade is dismantled at the federal level and outlawed in several states, many women will resort to self-managed abortions. Trigger warning, this could be achieved by a variety of methods, to include using drugs or alcohol, lifting heavy objects, taking a hot bath, and even going the extreme to hitting themselves in the stomach. In her dissent of the repeal, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that "young women today will come of age with fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers." All of this is very encouraging to women to consider starting a family; good job Supreme Court on aiding in the decreased birth rate.
“How can I encourage young girls to pursue their goals and passions if there are walls that keep erecting and blocking them from some of the most basic and fundamental rights?” questions Maya. She’s not the only one to doubt the future of younger generations and what rights might be left untouched. There’s no way to cherry coat it - both women’s freedom, AND our country’s freedom, hang in the balance. This just further emphasizes the need for women to band together, and to build up that power to work on protecting not only our bodies, but of our daughters and their futures. This is why Maya is so keen on getting people registered to vote. “I know there are probably folks who think I’m exaggerating but democracy is on the line in this election,” she declares. “We’re seeing books banned, voting laws ravaged, court decisions ripping apart our most basic freedoms, and sadly much more.” Hearing Maya speak so passionately, I’m ready to re-register myself to vote!