As Told To: Amy Rosenthal

A public health leader for three decades, Rosenthal (BS94) is undersecretary of health for Massachusetts Health and Human Services.

I was pretty involved on campus. I ran Homecoming my junior year and was cochair of Dance Marathon as a senior. I probably spent more time on activities than classes.

The Council of 100, a group of Northwestern alumnae who mentor female students, was founded while I was an undergrad. At the very first meeting, I was so busy organizing the event that I forgot to save myself a seat. I ended up sitting in the corner next to Marilyn Moats Kennedy (Medill65, MS66), who turned out to be a career strategist and the job strategies editor at Glamour. Marilyn taught me about the importance of having mentors in my life, and she remained an important influence throughout my early career.

My SESP experiences were foundational. I wanted to do policy work but didn't know how to begin. Northwestern gave me important opportunities that propelled my career, starting with my SESP practicum at Voices for Illinois Children. The director there later helped me get an internship at the Children's Defense Fund in Washington, DC.

Never underestimate the importance of these formative experiences. They led to other opportunities in policy work, building my skills and my résumé.

For two decades, I worked as a consumer healthcare advocate and ensured people's needs were represented when healthcare decisions were being made. A career highlight was helping draft, pass, implement, and defend the Affordable Care Act.

I'd leave my house at 5 a.m. on Tuesday and fly to Washington for meetings at the White House in the morning, be on the Hill or at Health and Human Services in the afternoon, and be home to put the kids to bed.

In 2017 I became the executive director of Health Care for All in Massachusetts, the first state-level consumer health advocacy organization in the country. The state's leaders believe in shared responsibility. We rank first in the country for health insurance coverage.

Our political system works best when we are willing to work together, listen to one another, and compromise to make change.

I remain optimistic. The governor knows we need to work on making healthcare more affordable. We want Massachusetts to once again lead the way by addressing one of the most challenging issues facing families and businesses across the country.

We need young people to go into advocacy and public health more than ever, especially as healthcare programs are being cut and science is questioned.

I wake up at the crack of dawn to walk with friends, many of whom also work in healthcare and have big jobs. It's a little release for each of us. Connecting with other moms grounds me.

--As told to Julie Deardorff