Political activism is practically a genetic trait passed down to Christina Mills from her mother in Los Angeles.
Her mother was an activist minister who routinely got involved in the local activities while she was a little girl in Pasadena, California.
And today as the executive vice president of the Young Democrats of Atlanta, Mills is determined to get folks educated — and then motivated to act on that information — on the issues that directly impact their lives.
“My primary career is ministry. Politics is another side of ministry. You think about the Sunday, the church, the praise and worship. And, to me, this is what faith is all about.
“My mom is also a pastor, when I was younger, she was serving the homeless, holding a demonstration, she was a sort of activist kind of minister. So it was destined for me to be involved in politics,” Mills explains.
“I did my first political internship right out of college in Oregon. And then I let it go for awhile as I went to seminary school. and I now I really find there a lot of issues that I care about. I’m a very passionate person, but personally I believe the best way to get these issues tackled is to get good people involved. We can talk about gun violence, we can talk about education, we can talk about other issues. But I really believe that there are good people and those people are Democrats,” she says.
Mills began scratching her political itch with an internship right after graduation from Southern Cal, then returned to politics after taking a break for seminary school in Oregon, her true calling, and moving to Atlanta in 2008.
“I feel like a jack-of-all-trades. Membership, increase members and doing programs for our members. I feel like the guy in the restaurant that makes sure the food is delivered on time and the customers are taken care of. I feel like that person. I’m behind the scenes, making sure the right people are at the events, that the speaker have everything they need, to make sure everything is correct,” she says.
“The reason why I spend my time with the Democratic Party is because I believe that’s the most effective way to get things done,” she says.
When Mills, 27, exchanged the Left Coast for the Right Coast, landing up in Atlanta, she knew she was where she was supposed to be.
“And I loved it. I love the ATL. It was a perfect combination [living in Atlanta and working with the Young Dems)] to learn the political process in an inviting and nonintimidating way. This was a good entry to learn about politics in the ATL, especially since I’m not from here,” says Mills.
As the nation prepares itself for the midterm primary elections, Mills implores her fellow Atliens to be more involved in the political process, particularly as it pertains to
“Getting people motivated is so hard. I would say getting people informed and educated about what’s going on and then getting them motivated, in that order,” Mills breaks it down. “When you look at the number of people who come out to vote, it’s almost depressing. Not only to get them out to vote in the first place. That’s a very hard thing to do.”
As the political primaries are May 20, Mills focuses on getting people motivate to get registered and out to the polls to help turn the state blue again, one candidate at a time.
“I’m excited. I think we’re in a good position right now. And I think, whatever happens this year. I’m excited. I think it will give us momentum going into 2016, especially if we can prove that Democrats can do well in Georgia, I think that’s going to make a huge difference.
“If we get a Democrat in the Senate or as the governor, one or the other, I think that would be so exciting. And get people more motivated to go out and vote in the general election and get people to believe that Democrats can make a difference in Georgia,” says Mills.
Mills’ irrepressible optimism is rooted in the resolute sentiment that she has and will continue to make a difference.
“I really like the position I’m in right now. I really like that I can make a difference. You really can. I was talking the other day with someone that believes one vote can’t make a difference and that the system will remain the same. A lot of people feel that way. But I really believe that I can make a difference. Even here in the city of Atlanta with the Young Democrats, You have access to a lot of young people in the city who need a good role that’s effective,” she says.
