McLean Volunteer of the Week: Emily Hoechst

Name:  Emily Hoechst

Career: Emily is a Harvard graduate with a J.D. from Georgetown. She spent four years practicing commercial litigation.

Emily is an Adjunct Profession at George Mason University teaching courses in Public International Affairs. She also teaches Political Philosophy at Georgetown University.  She designed one of the classes she teaches called 'Rhetorical Discourse & Democratic Theory', crafted out of her love and passion for the democratic process.

This holistic course has students read works by Plato, Aristotle and Thucydides, each of whom offers a different perspective on what a good democracy looks like. Lucky students also read and discuss great American speeches, and review current campaign rhetoric and tactics.

"I like to make my students think," she said.

Where Emily Hoechst Volunteers?

The Farm Team, a group that promotes and incubates women for leadership positions in the political arena. The Farm Team's goal is simple:"To develop Virginia women for political leadership roles."

What Emily does for The Farm Team?

Emily acted as a commentator for the McLean Showing of the Farm Team's documentary called Miss Representation.  She spoke of the influential use of language in the political arena and how the press portrays women.

Traditional media portrays women as either Mary's or Eve's, however there is a new breed of women in power for which there is no conceptual language. Women such as former Secretary of State Condi Rice and  Cong. Michelle Bachman, R-Minn, who is running for president, are defying and casting off the roles and stereotypes others might set for them.

It is interesting to note that the root of the word 'oppression' is 'press'. Press can mean media, and press also means to shape and mold, which is exactly what The Farm Team intends to do, she said.

Why Emily Volunteers for The Farm Team:

"Women need to take up more space in public office," she said. "You can't be what you can't see".

Emily believes in this project that develops leadership skills in women to enable them to better accept positions of power in government.

"Young women need positive leadership examples".

Three Things Emily Would Like To See In Our Country:

• A flat tax.
• Proportional representation.
• Teachers to make more money.

What Are Emily's Hobbies & Interests? 

Emily enjoys hiking local parks and trails with her new dog Baxter.  She is the mother of two, and married to Tim Hoechst, former VP at Oracle, now CTO of Agilex.

Contact The Farm Team today. You may also call The Farm Team at (804) 592-6028.