Intern Spotlight: Hannah Bentley

Hannah Bentley serves as OEP's Women's Justice Organizer intern.  She reflects on the impact that On Earth Peace has made in her life during her internship.

Why are you drawn/applied to On Earth Peace?

There were two things that initially drew me to OEP: the work environment and the organization’s values. More specifically, a work environment for interns in which not one person is valued over another, and which genuinely invites feedback; and values which are not only unwavering on important stances such as anti-militarism, but are at the same time constantly growing and changing. A previous intern informed me about these two practices, leading to my application for OEP. As I’ve worked here, I’ve found these two aspects of working at OEP to be wonderful.

What are the favorite project/s that you worked on?

Although technically nothing much came of this project, when I first started out with OEP I hosted a webinar with two other new interns in which we discussed transphobia and misogynoir in the Olympics. I learned a lot through my research on these topics, but also through working with the other interns. It was a very fun experience which both helped me get to know some of my coworkers and gave me more research experience on a topic I was interested in. 

How has OEP affected your outlook/future aspirations?

Because of OEP’s emphasis on organizing work, as well as the organizational work that revolves around that organizing work, I’ve become even more interested and invested in different social justice issues, as well as the different ways in which those social justice issues can be approached. I’ve also become more interested in pursuing a career in some way related to nonprofits/organizing/social justice issues. For example, I’m currently interested in reducing homelessness in the U.S., and so, post-grad, I might apply for organizations which work to reduce homelessness who need social media workers, writers, editors, etc. 

What would you like people to know about OEP and yourself?

I think the main thing that I have always liked about OEP is that this organization is constantly thinking about and moving toward change and growth for the better. We try our best to hold both ourselves and each other accountable. And, especially right now, with the change in how the internship is structured, we are constantly working toward some sort of larger goal.