Cheryl Graeve

National Organizer - Director of National Programs (Engaging Differences & Golden Rule 2020) @National Institute For Civil Discourse

Washington, DC, US

There are divides in the country that go far beyond disagreement about policy and what direction the country should be going toward. Dissenting voices have always been important in our democracy, diversity of ideas and experience create better solutions, but the vitriol and hyper-partisanship have gone too far. Our political divides are becoming a chasm that threaten not only our personal relationships, but our very democracy itself.I\'ve been called to this work - to help find ways to engage our differences productively, build/rebuild trust within our society, person to person, community by community and state by state. We everyday Americans are hungry for the public square to be a place grounded in dignity, respect, listening, understanding and a bit of humility. I\'m part of a growing movement of people that are working to rebuild some of the connections that have been damaged through the years by harsh, partisan political fights, and the use of extreme rhetoric that demonizes and degrades those on \"the other side\" of an issue. The forces of division have long known that the easiest way to get people engaged is to pit us against each other, many believe, as I do, that it is essential now that the forces of inclusion and respect for our common humanity, claim a larger and more visible place on the playing field, for the sake of our country and we the people.

Georgetown University

Certificate

St. Cloud State University

Bachelor’s Degree