Samantha Goldman has given her time and passion to World Can’t Wait since its inception in 2005. In high school, Samantha was a founding member of the Not In Our Name Youth and Student Network in Philadelphia. She first encountered World Can’t Wait at a Refuse and Resist conference where she heard Debra Sweet speak (introducing the idea of World Can’t Wait) where she was deeply moved by the Call. Samantha says that Debra, “epitomizes how I want to live my life. I heard her speak at a conference years ago, and she motivated me then to take action. She still motivates me every day.” After that, Samantha took the Call to Drive Out The Bush Regime to people at the Live 8 concert and continued to become an active member throughout college.
She believes she was able to mobilize students to protest at her college because of the leadership she received from the national office. She came to New York to spend her freshman winter break volunteering at the national office—that evolved to her leaving college and spending the spring semester as a full-time volunteer. She made the sacrifice and took the risks because “I wanted to make my life matter, to be part of making history, she says. “I had to answer the urgent need. I was surrounded by wonderful people like Debra Sweet who modeled how I can live a life that is meaningful and the difference we can make.”
She says, “It’s important to think outside yourself and to think about humanity. I believe that a whole other world, one free of exploitation and oppression, is possible. I wanted to be part of changing the world when I signed on at the beginning, and I still do.”
“I have a special love and respect for the national office; there’s no place like it” she says. “It’s a dynamic place full of lively discussion about the most pressing issues. It is full of life because of the incredible people who compose the office, young and old, new volunteers and veteran activists working together. Everybody discusses and debates what a better world would look like. but everybody is uniting on stopping the crimes of this government. So much is going on: conversation, getting materials ready, writing thank you notes, creating fliers—it’s so exciting. The devotion and passion that fills the small office is contagious! It’s an absolutely amazing place with amazing volunteers.”
Samantha did earn her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education. She now lives in Philadelphia and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education while working with World Can’t Wait’s national office. Samantha works hard for World Can’t Wait and its mission, as member of the Steering Committee since 2006, development director (previous position), fundraiser, strategist, forums and events organizer, and integral part of the “We Are Not Your Soldiers” tour, partnering with military veterans and their families to speak to high school students.
She calls Debra Sweet and the national office “amazing.” Back at you, Samantha.