Em Powers is the digital communications intern for the ACLU of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming.
Em is a student at Augustana University in Sioux Falls working toward a fine arts degree with an emphasis in painting and minors in sociology and journalism.
While at Augustana, Em has served as a senator on the Augustana Student Association, a student government organization with representatives elected by AU students. While serving as senator and chair of Human and Public Relations, Em collaborated with AU administration, campus safety, and the campus health clinic to promote student safety and well-being. Em established a medication drop-box on campus, collaborated with AU’s annual Diversity Summit, and helped start an annual suicide awareness 5K with AU’s Lost&Found chapter.
Em served as a trained Body Project facilitator in 2023 and worked with both professors and peers to educate students on body neutrality in a faculty research project. Em also works in the theater department in an office and marketing role.
Em has extensive experience in journalism and writing and has published more than 50 articles and essays in numerous publications.
Em is particularly passionate about queer and reproductive rights and hopes to continue working with nonprofits after graduation.