Ianthe Metzger (she/her) knows how to communicate. She has spent most of her career as the official mouthpiece of three of the largest progressive advocacy organizations in the United States: Human Rights Campaign, Emily’s List, and Planned Parenthood. Originally from the country of Trinidad and Tobago, Ianthe did not originally envision this career trajectory - the daughter of two dentists, she thought she would follow in her parents’ footsteps. Read on to learn about the rapid ascent in progressive activism for Ianthe Metzger!

Where are you based?
I’m based in Washington, DC. But I actually grew up in Trinidad and Tobago. I moved to DC for college when I was 17 and never left.

What inspired you to get involved in activism and politics?
It was 100 percent my college experience. I went to Georgetown University and planned to stick to sciences and eventually become a dentist like both my parents (who adorably met in dental school). But freshman year, I needed a work-study job and got involved with Georgetown’s Center for Social Justice literally by chance. I began working for a program called DC Schools Project which helps immigrant adults learn English as a second language. Learning from my students and understanding America through their eyes as a new immigrant myself was incredibly enriching. I quickly realized that these were the conversations I wanted to be having and the work I needed to be doing — so I did a hard pivot to social justice and advocacy and never looked back.

Tell us about your early activism. You were involved in many groups, including AFL-CIO and Working America!
After I graduated from college, I sort of fell into communications and media relations through my social justice work at Georgetown. At school, I used to help lead an Alternative Spring Break trip called Worker Justice DC, where we’d immerse ourselves in the city and learn about workers' rights and labor unions by talking to people from across the field. While leading the trip during my senior year of college, I learned about a media outreach fellowship at the AFL-CIO from a recent graduate of Georgetown. She was a current fellow, and we talked about how this communications role was a great entry point into the labor movement and activism. I did the fellowship for a year and then worked at Working America — a membership organization for non-union folks who wanted to organize. I had never even considered communications as a job, but as a budding activist, learning how to develop a message that moves people to take action and understand what’s at stake was so valuable. I’ll forever be grateful to my fellow Georgetown grad for sharing this job opportunity, and introducing me to the field of communications.

Why did you decide to work for the Human Rights Campaign? How did your time working there affect the way you view activism?
I joined HRC at the end of 2013/beginning of 2014 when states were striking down bans on gay marriage left and right, so it was a really exciting, fun, and hopeful time. Also, coming from a labor union, I knew that for many LGBTQ+ people — back then and to this day — a union was the only thing protecting them from being fired for their sexual orientation and gender identity at work, so joining the fight to take on non-discrimination really made sense and felt tangible. A highlight of my career was being at the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization when the Obgergell decision to legalize marriage equality came down. I spent that summer working with Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the case, making sure he had what he needed, coordinating his schedule, and getting his story in front of the media. And Jim wasn’t even trying to become this huge activist. He just wanted to be listed as the surviving spouse on his late husband’s death certificate. And so he filed a lawsuit. He became an activist and was propelled into the spotlight so suddenly and handled it with grace as he worked to honor his husband’s memory. It was beautiful to have played a small part in that day and that historic decision. I’m always reminded that organizing, storytelling, and using the media to put pressure on people and change hearts and minds are instrumental. It should be a tool in every activist’s toolbox and central to the work you want to do and the change you want to see.

You worked for two years at Emily’s List. What did you accomplish there?
I served as the Deputy Director of Communications for State and Local campaigns at EMILY’s List. Because I was only the second person to have the role, I had a ton of flexibility and was able to make it my own. I loved working with pro-choice Democratic women running in down-ballot races across the country like city councils, state legislatures, and attorney general offices. Too often, the power of these bodies is overlooked despite their profound impact on policy and people’s daily lives. I was also at EMILY’s List during the first Trump administration, so a record number of women were running for office, and interest in how states and cities were pushing back against the federal government was high. I traveled to states like New Mexico and Colorado to media train state representatives, counseled candidates through crises on the campaign trail, and talked to voters and reporters making the case for their candidacies. We also helped deliver the Democratic majority in the Virginia General Assembly in 2019, which was huge. And if you need more proof of why electing pro-choice Democratic women is vital, I can point you to Sydney Batch, a current state senator in North Carolina. In 2019, when she was in the state house and undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she showed up to the legislature every day to ensure that hostile politicians in the House did not have the numbers to override the governor’s veto on a harmful abortion bill. Again, she was undergoing treatment for cancer, and they tried to take advantage, hoping she wouldn’t be there! That year, I was also able to meet Sydney Batch in person shortly after I helped her with a speech for a North Carolina Democratic Party fundraiser. She was so grateful and kind and remains a model for what leadership looks like.

© Adielenah Perez for Planned Parenthood Action Fund

You have since been at Planned Parenthood for several years. Can you tell us about what you do there?
At Planned Parenthood, I currently lead the advocacy communications team that is responsible for media strategy and outreach on federal and state policies, legislation, litigation, and elections. We also work to support Planned Parenthood’s dozens of affiliates who are on the ground doing the hard work in states to deliver care to people and deliver people to care as the abortion access crisis continues. Our team is creative, dedicated, funny, and hardworking — despite all the incoming attacks. Right now, all or some abortions are banned in 19 states, meaning 39% of women of reproductive age no longer have full control over their bodies. And over HALF of Black women live in these states mostly in the South and midwest. States continue trying to roll back access, even targeting basic sexual and reproductive health that Planned Parenthood health centers provide like birth control, STI testing, and more. We’re preparing for all the fights at all levels of government at Planned Parenthood.

You are originally from Trinidad and Tobago. What sort of activism do you think is needed there to improve the lives of the citizens?
I had the happiest childhood in Trinidad and go back regularly to visit my parents. It’s by no means perfect though, and more work has been done around basic social issues in recent years. Sexism and discrimination against marginalized groups like the LGBQT+ community persist, but the voices speaking out and advocating for change have multiplied and gotten louder. Almost six years ago, Trinidad hosted its first-ever Pride Parade, and it was a beautiful moment that I never saw happening. Trinidad is also seeing a big influx of Venezuelan immigrants coming to the island to flee the political violence of their home country. Nearly 50,000 Venezuelans have come, which is a big number for an island like Trinidad, which has a population of 1.3 million people There are a lot of organizations — particularly faith-based ones — working alongside the government to provide resources and help folks acclimate. Shout out to my lovely mom, who is very involved with this work

© Derek Phillips for New American Leaders

You have dedicated your time to organizations like Washington Women in Public Relations and New American Leaders. What work did you do there, and why did you choose to volunteer with those organizations?
I love staying busy and am always looking for volunteer opportunities outside of work. I first got involved with WWPR during the early days of COVID-19 when we were all isolated and looking for ways to connect. I really wanted to see how others in the communications field were adapting to this new environment and hear from experts on what’s working at their organizations as the media landscape gets more and more crowded. WWPR had some great virtual trainings and webinars so I became a member. Shortly after, I joined the board as the membership co-chair, where I served for three years, working to keep members engaged, foster connection, and host happy hours and events. It was a great way to meet women who just want to get better in their fields and value learning. The New American Leaders (NAL)) is very near and dear to my heart. NAL is dedicated to building an inclusive democracy by bringing immigrants and new Americans into the political process and helping them run for office and win. America is a nation of immigrants, and when this country's leaders are reflective of the people they represent, important and inspiring things can happen that improve all our lives. I first got involved when I was asked to speak on a crisis communications panel at NAL's Power and Policy convening last year and serve as a judge at their Ready to Win advanced campaign boot camp training this past summer. Now, I’m a board member on the C4 arm, New American Leaders Action Fund where I do planning, fundraising, and work to get the word out. It’s only been a few months, but I’ve loved getting to meet some of the candidates NALAF has endorsed and learn their stories.

All of the groups of people you advocate for are being strongly impacted by America’s new government. What advice do you have for them for the next four years?
I’d remind people to focus on your why — focus on what is important to you and your reason for being in this fight. Let that be your north star as things get increasingly challenging. It also sounds trivial but getting new hobbies has been a lifeline for me so I can fully disconnect and focus on something that is just about me. Over the past two years, I’ve fallen in love with playing tennis and have really focused on getting better and building that skill. Learning new things as an adult is humbling, but worth it.

A lot of activists are saying that the left needs to take as much time as it needs to rest and reset after the win of Trump in November. Do you agree? How should progressives be handling the next four years?
I think both things can be true. Resistance comes in different forms — for some people, that means organizing a phone bank or making TikToks blasting the administration. And for others, that means deleting the apps altogether and looking inward to focus on your community and the things that you feel you can control. Both of these outlooks are valid and we should trust people to take on what they can manage. At the same time, we can’t fully check out of the politics because politics is always checking for us. And when the administration’s philosophy is “move fast, break things, and take as much as you can,” we have to remain vigilant. Taking breaks however has never been more important.

It has been a crazy past few years, and we suspect at least four more, how have you been staying positive?
It’s been a challenge and working in communications at a place like Planned Parenthood where you are responding to the attacks isn’t for everyone. I stay positive by making plans. Whether it’s seeing my favorite musical or a trip aboard, I always want to have something to look forward to.

What is your motto in life?
I don’t really have a motto but I love the quote: “Intolerance is a failure of curiosity.” I dont remember where I read it, but I think that if we were more curious about each other and showed empathy, it would solve many problems. Another quote that I love is: “I do not dream to sleep, but dream to change the world.” It’s from the poem Looking at Your Hands by Guyanese poet Martin Carter. We studied his work in secondary school in Trinidad. The whole poem is a rallying cry, but that last line has always stuck with me as I pursue a career in advocacy.

Where can we find out more about you?
Please give to the New American Leaders Action Fund and say that I sent you! They are doing incredible work to change the face of leadership in this county and would love the support.

https://www.instagram.com/iantheee_/

Ianthe Metzger, Master Communicator