Greta Solsaa

Hi! My name is Greta Solsaa, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Vermont majoring in Global Studies with a Human and Environment concentration and a double minor in Law & Society and Reporting & Documentary Storytelling. I have experience in activism, organizing, political work, public speaking, and communications.

Job Experience: 

Intern, Senator Leahy’s Office, Burlington, VT (September 1st - December 15th, 2022) (20 hours + per week)

• Attend governmental meetings and write memorandums for staff
• Write letters of support for organizations 
• Help organize the Women’s Economic Opportunity conference
• Survey and compile local, national, and international news to create a daily news brief for staff
• Answer calls and log mail for staff 
• Take on other tasks to support Senator Leahy’s office staff

• Walk or bike door-to-door in Vermont communities to potential and existing supporters educate people on environmental issues in Vermont and ask for donations to the organization
• Memorize and recite scripts prepared and provided by VPIRG
• Get signatures for petitions and contact information of supporters for further actions
• Confidently answer questions and hold conversations with community members
• Consistently meet daily and weekly quotas for donations and signature acquisition 

Main Desk Attendant, University of Vermont Residential Life Services, Burlington, VT (February 2021-May 2022) (5 hours per week)

Nanny, Charity Pimental-Hyams, Mendon VT, (May 2020-November 2020) (18+ hours per week)

• Care for three boys (Age 3, 5, and 8)
• Help with homework and remote classroom activities due to the pandemic

• Write coherent and comprehensive class notes for students in need of academic accessibility services

• Clean and set tables, pour water, serve food, and otherwise help waitresses and staff help customers

• Run the ropes course, jump tower, and zipline and assist visitors, including many families and summer camps

Intern, Community News Service, Burlington, VT (January 17th-May 5th) (6 hours per week)

• Research environmental issues and connect with community leaders in order to write news stories about the Lake Champlain Basin

• Research start-ups, outreach partners, and other connections in Pakistan
• Create an organized database of contacts and promotional materials for the She Loves Tech event 
• Participate in organizational meetings

• educate and mobilize college-age activists around campaign opportunities
• support AIUSA members to be aware of policy-related issues and act as a spokesperson for the organization

• educate and mobilize high school-age activists around campaign opportunities
• support AIUSA members to be aware of policy-related issues and act as a spokesperson for the organization

• Created AIUSA school group at Rutland High School
• Organize events and actions that address Amnesty human rights campaigns 
• Introduced “I Welcome” Resolution to Board of Alderman which was passed unanimously

• Presented to the school board to ask that the Black Lives Matter flag be raised at the high school
• Organized dinners and events to support and welcome Syrian refugee families into the community
• Recognized by the Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP with the 2019 Youth Courage and Activism Award

• Collaborated with teachers and students at planning meetings
• Facilitated “global village” discussions on global issues
• Presented workshops on art and poetry’s impact on social change movements
• Presented workshop on my experience in South Africa through the Experiment in International Living Program
• Introduced the keynote speaker of the conference in my junior year of high school
• Aided presenters from outside organizations with the navigation of building and with technical difficulties

• Collaborated with other youth activists and the Peace & Justice Center to develop an event to give young people the knowledge, tools, and resources to be effective activists 
• Emceed event and lead break out presentation on youth activist strategies
• Publicized event through social media and paper sources

• Support the outreach and messaging of the Peace & Justice Center so it is consistent and effective
• Assist with the development, promotion, and implementation of large and small events
• Introduce, support, and plan events such as screenings, speakers, and workshops
• Participate in weekly Programming Meetings, and other program-specific Team Meetings when available
• Attend events, conference calls, organizational meetings, and public meetings relating to programs and campaigns 

• Corresponded with other young activists around Vermont to create an event for youth activism
• Moderated and participated in planning meetings for the march

• Traveled to various places in South Africa and learned about South African history and culture
• Stayed with a host family in a township of Port Elizabeth and painted a community day care center 
• Attended a week-long leadership training at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg

• Organized and lead youth reading and craft activities 
• Help librarians organize bookshelves, put away books, prep new books by putting protective plastic over the dust jacket, and assist community members

Education:

University of Vermont (January 2021-May 2023) (3.89 GPA) (BA in Global Studies (Hon))

• Major in Global Studies with a Human and Environment Concentration; Double Minor in Law & Society and Reporting & Documentary Storytelling

Rutland High School, Rutland, VT

• High School Diploma, May 2019; Summa Cum Laude with a Concentration in Global Studies
• 2019 Rutland High School Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award