The White House Project

As a volunteer voter protection lawyer, and a member of host committees for LGBT activists in political campaigns and fundraisers, Mary Cay Marubio is no stranger to politics.

“I love being present at the polling station and advocating for the rights of the voter,” said Mary, “I am always energized when a voter takes on the initiative and refuses to give up their right to vote—defending their right to do so is an honor.”

In her time as a volunteer, Mary has supported Congressional candidates, State Representatives in collar counties, and spent election day in 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio representing President Obama as the Shaker Square Field Office Captain for the Voters Protection Rapid Response Team. Her work as a criminal defense lawyer, along with these experiences, led her to the realization that politics needed her voice, too. That’s when she decided to join The White House Project in Chicago for a Go Run Training.

“Although I had helped fundraise for other candidates, when it came to my own fundraising, I was not as confident,” said Mary. “Go Run helped me break down the daunting task of campaigning. I specifically remember the phrase we learned during the fundraising session, “I’m not begging. I’m worth the investment.”

She hopes that as a policy maker, she can enact some real changes in the criminal justice system, changes that she is unable to make as a lawyer.

“A large number of my clients suffer from mental illness, mental retardation or both. They are often met with hostility and apathy in the criminal justice system. I want to be able to help them in a more concrete way.”

So, why does Mary Cay believe it is important for women to have a voice in politics? For the same reason she supports LGBT candidates.

“We need a variety of voices in the legislature, in the courts, and on the school boards.” Above all, “We need to be equally represented—everywhere.”