A Day in Her Life: Beverly Hart.

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW COLUMN!

I have been saying for a while now that adding community to the site is my #1 priority. But how to do that (aside from our amazing Facebook community page which is where I first shared this idea) in a meaningful way!? I’ve always been fascinated by other people’s careers and what their typical days look like and so today I am launching a brand new series here: A Day in Her Life. Every other week I will spotlight a different reader here.

First up?! Beverly Hart. Beverly is based in DC where she is the Legislative Correspondent/Press Assistant for Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18). She’s also very passionate about beauty (yay) and working on legislation regarding clean beauty and increased transparency in the beauty industry. I’m personally very intrigued by the idea of working in politics and learned so much from her feature. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Also, her career advice is SPOT ON – I love the idea of taking up space.

THE VITALS

Name: Beverly Hart
Age: 25
City: Washington, DC

Job Title + Company: Legislative Correspondent/Press Assistant for a New York Congressman

Educational Background: Master’s in Public Administration at George Washington University (GWU), Bachelor’s in Arts at the University of South Carolina (USC)

Tell us a little bit about you and what you do. 

I manage the mail system – so whenever someone writes in to the Congressman I organize and compile appropriate responses whether that be on a specific issue or getting a tour of the Capitol. Also, I manage the 5-8 interns we get each semester – definitely the most fun part of the job. I work on the Women’s, Religion, and Veteran’s Issues portfolios so I do research on bills and draft legislation. This is my favorite part of the job. As you move up on Capitol Hill you’re able to spend more time drafting and researching legislation and less time on the administrative day to day tasks.

How did you get started? Briefly walk us through from college to now?

I graduated from USC in Winter 2014 and started working in consulting. I knew pretty quickly that consulting wasn’t for me, I hated being one of thousands of employees. So I applied to graduate school and started at GWU in Fall of 2016 to get my Masters in Public Administration focused on Education and Women’s Issues. Honestly, I loved graduate school but, with the Presidential election looming, I still felt like I could be doing more to help people.

In September 2017 I quit my job to become an unpaid intern on Capitol Hill (my bank account loved that). It felt like a huge risk that might not pay off – but I knew that this would be the best way to get a job on Capitol Hill and feel like I was a part of change in the country. I was interning, going to grad school full-time, and working a second job to help pay the bills while I applied to full-time positions. I eventually got a job in my current office for a New York Congressman and was promoted to Legislative Correspondent in November 2018. I’m incredibly passionate about women’s reproductive health, equal pay, and access to quality affordable education – it’s crazy that I’m in this job that I wanted for so long.

Best part of your job?

Thanks to research I’ve done into the Food and Drug Administration’s cosmetic regulations (and Grace!) I’ve learned a lot about how underregulated the beauty industry really is (seriously there hasn’t been an update to the law since 1938). I just wrote my first piece of legislation on cosmetics regulation and it’s exciting that it could have a real impact on our country’s totally outdated system. It’s exciting to feel like the work I do could protect the environment and health of generations to come.

Hardest part?

DC (and Congress let’s be honest) gets a bad rap for being out of touch and corrupt. The swamp is real for sure – but DC is also place filled with hope. As a transplant city everyone came here to be a part of something bigger and better than themselves. DC is ranked as one of the most highly educated populations in the US, while it’s great to be around so many smart and passionate people it makes you feel like an impostor. Will they figure out I’m not as smart as them soon?? Should I be more plain/quiet/meek at work to be taken seriously? You have to remind yourself that EVERYONE is thinking the same thing – it’s not easy – but it’s always felt worth it.

A DAY IN HER LIFE

When do you get up?

I (try to) get up at 6:30AM on days when I’m not working out. I work out 2-4 times a week and wake up at 5:30AM to leave for Barre class. Also, I work the front desk at the Barre Studio (it’s called Bar Method!) to get an additional income/free membership – it’s the only workout I can really stick to! Plus, public service doesn’t really pay the big bucks so it’s nice to have a little extra money coming in.

Tell us about your morning routine.

On mornings that I don’t work out I make coffee, hop in the shower, and do some LSAT studying while I let my hair air-dry. I blowout my hair every time I wash it (bad I know)– to save it from (a little) damage I put product in it and wrap it in a hair turban for about 30 mins while I do other things around my apartment.

I have combination skin and hormonal acne (fun) so I put more effort in skincare than makeup. My 2019 New Year’s Beauty Resolution is to switch to “clean” personal care products by the end of the year. I’ve been a big fan of Osea, Youth to the People, and Farmacy so far!

I try to get out of the house by 8:15AM to get to work. I park at the House of Representatives (we have underground garages) it’s less than 3 miles away but usually takes 20 mins (DC traffic). I’ve learned that a good bedtime routine makes for a much smoother morning routine – which sets you me up for the whole day.

Walk us through your full day and what that looks like.

If I’m not working my second job at the Barre studio I get to work around 8:30AM. I spend the first hour of my day going through emails – we get hundreds. I make a point to reply to everything. Most days I have a few calls and meetings with advocacy groups, stakeholders, constituents and other Congressional offices throughout the day. My job is very front facing, so you always have to be on. The work we do is also very dependent on the news cycle and what’s happening in the administration – as you can imagine no two days are the same.

I always get the 2:30PM blues and grab Dunkin or Starbucks with a friend in another Congressional office. Almost everyone who works here is under 40 and super outgoing – so you sort of end up knowing someone in every Congressional Office. Most days I get off around 6:30PM but sometimes it’s closer to 8PM. After work I’ll usually grab drinks or dinner with friends.

What’s your bedtime routine like?

I always prep as much as possible the night before, I set out my outfit and pack my work bag. Also, I use a little essential oil diffuser every night that really helps me fall asleep, and it’s super cute.

I just started using Farmacy’s Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum and really like it so far. I wear this matching PJ set that I got as a bridesmaid gift in December (such a great bridesmaid gift idea). In addition, I try to read for my book club (currently reading Educated by Tara Westover) for a few mins before bed but usually I get stuck in the Instagram scrolls and pass out.

QUICK & RANDOM

Favorite social media channel?

Instagram – follow me @beverlyjhart!

What are your favorite blogs and Instagram follows (besides The Stripe, of course!)?
Capitol Hill Style
Golden Girl Blog
The Financial Diet

Favorite Podcasts?

I listen to The Daily every morning on my drive into work. If there’s a lot of traffic I also listen to NPR’s Up First. I’m not into Crime podcasts but the Crime Junkies episode on Robert Wone will truly change your life – it’s a 2006 story based in DC and it is NUTS.

Favorite Show to Binge?

Real Housewives of New York City and I love a good Bachelor Monday!

Best Career Advice You’ve Received?

TAKE UP SPACE. As women I think we worry too much about offending people with our goals or views. I don’t subscribe to that.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Sounds cheesy – but all of my female friends inspire me to push harder and be better. They are my best advice givers and support systems and I don’t want to let them down.

Your all time, desert island favorite beauty product.

Oh man – probably Kopari’s Save Face Oil… it’s just so hydrating and makes everything look dewy.

A huge thank you to Beverly for kicking off this series. If you’d like to be considered for a future feature, please email grace <at> thestripe.com. A few things to know before applying: You must be able to provide professional quality photos, no bloggers (sorry I love blogs but am looking to spotlight people doing things that are different from what I do), and please don’t use this to pitch your business… that’s not what this is for. 🙂