Junior follows social justice path to DC internship; meets President Obama at White House event

University of Richmond junior Samantha Lint became an advocate long before her 2012 summer internship in Washington, D.C.  As a student at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md., Lint enjoyed dance and performing arts classes, but soon noticed that not all children had the privilege of taking lessons.

With the help of local dance studios and businesses, Lint developed a free dance program for children who could not afford lessons. Thus began her passion as an innovator, promoting change and equality, and leading to a presidential meeting at the White House.

A double major in international studies and French with a minor in women, gender and sexuality studies, Lint says her favorite college subject is “anything social justice related,” which is why she applied for and received an internship with the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC).

NWLC helps improve the lives of women and families in the areas of employment, education, health and economic security. Lint worked this summer as the organization’s outreach intern, attending press conferences, writing blogs, drafting emails and conducting research.

In June, Lint put some of her skills to work as she attended, on her own, a White House event focusing on student debt. Lint had no idea that she would end up standing next to President Barack Obama as he delivered a 10-minute speech. 

“Everything was surreal,” said Lint. “I had planned to tell him I would love to work for him and to look out for my internship application, but of course in the moment, that fell through.”

After graduation, Lint hopes to work for a few years in Washington for a government agency or a nonprofit organization. She’s also interested in enrolling in graduate school to study international studies or law.

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