Brigitte Bazie, EYA Intern

I am a recent graduate of Montgomery College, earning an Associate of Arts in general studies. I live in Silver Spring, Maryland, and attend Glenmont United Methodist Church, part of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. The National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) is my placement site for the summer. My work will involve researching clean transportation and the Biden Administration’s Justice40 initiative; I am interested in exploring the economic and health benefits of these climate change mitigation efforts.

Climate change, and the social inequity it exacerbates, warrants collective grief. One of the first things that my religious community taught me was the importance of showing up and bearing witness to the pain and suffering of others; this has dramatically informed my positions on social justice issues as well as my belief that collective action is required to improve the material and social conditions of society’s most vulnerable. My general studies program coursework and my non-traditional background make me a rather versatile individual and help me bring a different perspective to her internship.

I chose to participate in a faith-based internship because I thought, “Well–why not?” I have many questions and want to learn more about who and what God is and how God shows up in the world, and I figure that Church and Society is a good place for me. I am interested in learning more about environmental justice work and gaining professional skills.

I hope to learn more about myself and how I can best serve the community, form meaningful connections with others, and grow in faith during this internship. I also hope this internship might give me an idea of what I want to do next or even help me be okay with moving forward without knowing what lies ahead.