Sarah Callahan

candidate Statement

I am excited to announce my candidacy for co-chair of our chapter. As a dedicated organizer, I bring years of experience and a deep passion for building a stronger, more effective DSA. My journey in organizing began in rural Alabama during the 2016 Bernie campaign and continued after moving to Cincinnati, where I became an active member of DSA Metro Cincinnati. Over the years, I have served in various leadership roles, including housing branch lead, communications lead, YDSA mentor, electoral co-chair, chapter secretary, and most recently, chapter co-chair. Nationally, I am proud to have served on national committees like the National Political Education, Trans Rights and Bodily Autonomy, and Growth and Development Committees, where I worked to strengthen chapters and empower members across the country. Additionally, I am particularly proud of the successful new member onboarding program I created and developed for the chapter in 2020, our bowl-a-thon fundraiser in 2021 that raised over $6,000 in a month to support Kellogg’s workers on strike in Battle Creek Michigan, and successfully leading our efforts in 2023 to fight on three different ballot issues in Ohio, one of which, Issue One, successfully passed and restored abortion rights to millions of Ohioans.

As co-chair, my focus will be on growth, development, and sustainability for our chapter. I define growth as engaging with new members and diverse communities and which ensures that our chapter reflects the working class we aim to empower. By expanding our reach through tabling, outreach events, and deep community engagement, we can strengthen our base and build trust within the communities we serve. Development, however, goes beyond numbers - it means equipping our members with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to organize effectively. Through mentorship programs and participatory decision-making, I will ensure that every member feels empowered to lead and make meaningful contributions to our collective work.

One of my primary goals is to increase the involvement of working-class people and parents within DSA. As a parent and working-class organizer myself, I understand the unique challenges and barriers that we face every day. To truly build a chapter that represents the working class, we need to create a welcoming and accessible environment for parents and families. This includes offering childcare at events, and prioritizing campaigns that address their immediate needs, such as housing, healthcare, and education. By focusing on these efforts, we can foster a collaborative environment within DSA where parents DSA a place where parents and workers see themselves reflected and feel supported in their struggles.

Leadership development is critical to sustaining our chapter's success. As co-chair, I will prioritize training and mentoring members to step into leadership roles, ensuring we are always cultivating the next generation of organizers. By fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment, we can create space for diverse perspectives and build a chapter culture rooted in solidarity and mutual support. Together, we will strengthen our collective problem-solving abilities and increase our capacity to fight for socialism both locally and nationally.

I am deeply committed to the future of our chapter and believe in its potential to become a working-class powerhouse. With your support, I hope to bring my experience, dedication, and vision to the role of co-chair. Together, we can build a chapter that not only wins campaigns but also inspires a broader movement for socialism. Thank you for your trust and consideration.