Reflections From a Summer Justice Fellow
My name is Kelsie Kulp, and I am entering my third year at Washburn University School of Law, where I serve as the Managing Editor for the Washburn Law Journal and President of the Women’s Legal Forum. I hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Washburn University with minors in psychology and legal studies.
For as long as I can remember, I have been passionate about social justice and have yearned to make a difference in my community. This led me to pursue a degree in social work. My social work studies first introduced me to the work of Kansas Appleseed. I was instantly impressed hearing about the work that Kansas Appleseed does to improve the lives of Kansans. Being justice-oriented and passionate about youth and family matters, especially child welfare, I resonated with the missions and advocacy efforts of the organization.
After completing my undergraduate studies in social work and interning in the Child Protection Unit at DCF, I was eager to effect change and advocate for those in need of representation. I decided to attend law school with my focus on public interest and policy work. When I learned about Kansas Appleseed’s Summer Justice Fellowship opportunity, I was eager to apply and to contribute my combination of social work and legal skillsets to such important work. I was also excited to learn about what policy advocacy looks like in practice.
Since starting at Kansas Appleseed, I have had the privilege of working on a variety of interesting issues, including researching the economic impacts of SNAP in Kansas, juvenile justice reform bill, SB 367, and various voter suppression legislation. I was fascinated to learn about the positive impacts that SNAP not only has on families in need, but also the economic impact that those dollars have on, especially rural, communities. Through my research on SB 367, I was also able to sit in on meetings with the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee. This was an insightful and valuable look into a piece of the legislative process that combines a variety of viewpoints and work experiences.
Reflecting on my time at Appleseed, I was initially struck by the size of the organization. Our campaigns are often led by one or two hard-working individuals. After spending more time at the organization, I learned that these individuals have the heart, drive, and work ethic to compete with much larger organizations. Kansas appleseed is the epitome of “small but mighty” and inspires me to keep fighting for what is right.
Kansas Appleseed has shown me that targeted effort from even a small team can create significant impacts. This experience has solidified my commitment to a career rooted in justice and community impact.
