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By Fiona Lempres
Special to The Almanac
When I found out Congresswoman Anna Eshoo was coming to Sacred Heart School in Atherton, I really wanted to interview her because she is a great role model for young girls. Congresswoman Eshoo represents us in the U.S. Congress. It was an honor to meet her.
Fiona: Thank you for your time, Congresswoman Eshoo. So, what was your childhood like?
Rep. Eshoo: I was very happy and very well-loved. I was the first-born and I had two siblings, a brother and a sister. We are still very close.
Fiona: What inspired you to be a congresswoman?
Rep. Eshoo: I think I would trace it back to my parents and their patriotism. They loved our country so much. They never wanted to be elected or appointed to anything, but they were always giving and doing things in the community in our parish, in our town, and at charitable events. They were always giving of themselves and they taught us that.
Fiona: So I’m guessing your favorite holiday is Fourth of July?
Rep. Eshoo: Oh, I love all of the holidays. Each one has a special meaning and a different meaning. Fourth of July for me was so much fun because we were at the shore in Connecticut that is where I was born and raised. So there was always a wonderful parade. When I look back at the parade, it was a teeny tiny parade but I thought it was a big deal. There was a fife and drum corps. You really don’t hear of fife and drum corps in California but you do in New England because they are the derivative of what took place when our country was founded. So the Fourth of July was a great deal of fun. There were a lot of contests, ice cream, roasting of hot dogs, marching in the parade it was terrific.
Fiona: Oh, my mom’s from Connecticut! Where is your favorite place to go in the Bay Area?
Rep. Eshoo: Home! (laughing)
Fiona: Oh, because you travel so much. What obstacles have you faced being in Congress?
Rep. Eshoo: Well I don’t think it’s particularly easy being a woman in Congress it has improved but there are still hangovers from the past.
Fiona: What inspirational things would you say to young girls who would potentially like to be in Congress?
Rep. Eshoo: Well, I would like young girls and young women to know that the sky is the limit for them, and that they should reach for the stars. And not allow anyone or anything to diminish their dreams.
Fiona Lempres is a fourth-grader at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton. She lives in Atherton with her parents, Mike and Stephanie.
