Progress and inclusivity: Activist Andrea Jackson wants everyone to register to vote

WAYNESBORO — Growing up, Andrea Jackson was always interested in politics, but she didn't get involved until 2008 when she saw Barack Obama — a candidate that finally looked like her.

She remembers talking with her friend and saying: "He's not going to be president." She didn't think the country was there yet, but she was pleasantly surprised, twice.

Since 2008, the beginning of former President Barack Obama's campaign, Jackson has stormed the streets from Waynesboro to Richmond helping people register to vote and talking with her senators.

"I just felt that like I had a calling trying to help, you know, move like local politics to be more progressive," she said. "And inclusive."

Her political involvement began with campaign assistance, which later opened the door for her to become the first-ever Black woman chair of Waynesboro's Democratic Committee in 2012. Four years later she was the campaign manager for the first-ever Black woman to run and be elected to Waynesboro City Council.

Once Jackson makes up her mind, she will get the job done. For the last decade, Jackson has focused her efforts on one nonpartisan issue: increasing voter turnout.

The first time she helped someone register to vote was in 2008. Now, Jackson has lost track of how many people she's helped register to vote. When she helps people register to vote, she only cares about one thing: ensuring their voice is heard.

"I want all people to vote," she said. "I don't care if you're a Republican or Democrat or whatever."

Every year she wants voter turnout to increase in Waynesboro. She said moving elections from May to November has been a step in the right direction.

Jackson hasn't always been an activist.

She attended Randolph-Macon College and earned a degree in history. There were some bumps along the way — it took a decade before she could finally grip her diploma. A year into her bachelor's, Jackson dropped out. After her parents lost their jobs in 2000, she tried to balance work and school and it became too much.

She hopped from job to job and in 2002 she enlisted in the U.S. Army. In just a couple months she was deployed to Iraq as a chaplain assistant. This is where Jackson learned how to actively listen to people about problems they're facing and concerns they have.

She credits her ability to talk with people now about their political concerns to her time overseas.

After 14 months, Jackson came home, but not alone. Struggles with her mental health also traveled back to the states. She spent years trying to rediscover herself. It wasn't until 2006 that she returned to Randolph-Macon.

She excelled. She became a resident advisor and was able to help underclassmen navigate college. But she withdrew a second time in 2008 when her mental health plummeted.

But in 2010 she earned her degree. She enjoys sharing her education journey to help inspire people who feel too defeated to take another class.

Jackson has always had a desire to empower others. Growing up, her younger sister Ashleigh Jackson hated to read — Andrea was the exact opposite. She found knowledge through reading, something she thinks everyone should cherish.

"She would tell me all the time about how important it is to read and, you know, just how knowledge is power," Ashleigh said.

Ashleigh made fun of her sister's bookworm tendencies, but eventually, she gave reading a chance. And of course, she loves it. Reading is now Ashleigh's passion; she can't get enough of it.

The pair often swap and borrow books from each other now. Ashleigh reaches for the leadership and psychology books and Andrea opts for faith-based options.

Andrea wants to make the world a better place by educating and empowering others, Ashleigh said. That's why she's passionate about voting rights. Seeing her sister encouraging people in the community to vote has inspired Ashleigh.

"It gives me hope," Ashleigh said. "It gives me the courage to want the change."

Currently, Andrea is involved with Virginia Organizing in Waynesboro and Staunton. She enjoys coordinating events with friends and neighbors like when she helped coordinate a Juneteenth celebration in 2021 in Waynesboro.

She's hoping to spend much of her time this spring knocking on doors and helping people register or restore their rights, COVID-permitting.

More: Staunton and Waynesboro celebrate Juneteenth with weekend festivals and advocacy speakers

More: Want Andrea Oakes or Carolyn Dull back in office or out of it? What to know about the process

— Katelyn Waltemyer (she/her) is the government watchdog reporter for The News Leader. Have a news tip on local government? Or a good feature? You can reach Katelyn at kwaltemyer@newsleader.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kate_Waltemyer.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Activist Andrea Jackson hopes to empower, educate Waynesboro area