Aleida Ramos had every right to make her quinceañera all about herself, but the 15-year-old wants to make a difference in her community. The Houston, Texas, teen is one of the young activists to participate in the Jolt Initiative’s Poder Quince/Quince Power campaign, an effort turning the traditional celebration marking a young Latina’s 15th birthday into a voter registration event.
The event hall featured many things typical of a quinceañera celebration, such as a dancing area and tables with place settings. But set aside was something different: a place for Jolt Initiative to register new voters. “Rey Beltrán, Jolt’s voter registration manager, and Angela Borges, a University of Houston student, were able to sign up a few people, including some already registered who updated addresses,” NBC News reported.
”Olivia John said she found it ‘cool’ that she had the opportunity to register, which she learned she could do at 17. She’s turning 18 on June 22. Coming from an immigrant family, she said she wasn’t happy with the current backlash against immigrants. ‘But I try not to talk about it because it gets me so mad,’ she said.”
The family actually found out about Jolt Initiative through a quinceañera-themed action the organization held in 2017 to protest the state’s racist “Show me your papers” law. A number of teen girls, dressed in intricate gowns, held their action in front of the Texas Statehouse. “I liked their stories,” Aleida said, “and what they said about everything, and I wanted to do something that would help us—trying to make a difference in things for our community. It inspired me.”
It also helped that girls who participate in Poder Quince/Quince Power get a photobooth at their party to help commemorate the occasion, but for Aleida, it’s about helping families like hers. “Our vote ensures we continue to protect our community and those who matter to us most,” she said.