For this episode, I had the great pleasure of chatting with Maryann McEvoy, an experienced advocate with quite an impressive background that spans across state government, nonprofit leadership, and the United Nations. With over twenty years of experience, Maryann’s journey offers a profound exploration into what it truly means to be an advocate.

Maryann's passion for advocacy stems from a deep desire to empower and protect vulnerable children, and throughout my enlightening conversation with her, Maryann shares incredibly valuable insights into the essential qualities that she feels are needed to be an effective advocate, which include but are not limited to empathy, resilience, and the courage to challenge outdated views and systems.

For those new to advocacy, Maryann also provides some great advice on working in this challenging field, highlighting how important it is to understand opposing viewpoints and foster authentic connections with the communities that one aims to support. She also candidly discusses the emotional toll of advocacy work and offers strategies for maintaining balance and preventing burnout.

Whether you’re an experienced advocate like Maryann, just beginning your journey, or even just have an interest in this topic, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration, so please tune in to hear how Maryann’s dedication to advocacy has shaped her career!

Highlights:

[1:51] - Hear how early emotional experiences with injustice fueled Maryann’s commitment to advocacy and supported her mental health.

[4:33] - Child advocacy involves protecting and empowering children's voices and recognizing the roots of oppression.

[7:24] - Maryann argues that empathy requires accountability and acknowledging childhood trauma’s role in shaping behavior.

[10:20] - Self-doubt is loud and constant, but everyone has the power to make a difference.

[13:19] - Even small, local efforts can create a ripple effect and have a huge impact.

[15:00] - Maryann warns against discouraging a child’s dreams.

[18:09] - Hear an example of how Maryann’s persistence, self-belief, and seizing opportunities led to significant achievements.

[21:31] - Building connections and understanding different perspectives are important for fostering change and collaboration.

[24:44] - Being genuine can help foster trust and collaboration, allowing people to share their dreams without fear.

[26:45] - Maryann explains how burnout in advocacy work signals the need for change; it's important to prioritize self-care.

[30:15] - Daily self-care involves embracing what sparks joy, like writing, reading, being outside, or whatever makes you happy.

[31:12] - Self-care for Maryann sometimes means eating pizza and watching TV on the couch.

[34:00] - Maryann credits her grandma for her unconditional love.

[36:59] - Children need space to make mistakes and express big emotions; parenting, whether biological or not, is so important.

[40:11] - Maryann encourages listeners to trust your intuition and to connect with passionate people. Links & Resources: Voices for CASA Children - Website

National CASA/ GAL Association for Children