PERSONAL OPINION
What's your " Stop The War and Violence" Social Platform campaign?
As a bisexual woman, I’ve had difficulty processing many of the legal battles that seek to strip the LGBTQ+ community of our rights and dignity. I’ve seen threats to our safety from groups that don’t want us to take up the space we are entitled to. I don’t let those voices keep me from being myself, and neither should anyone else. Stand up, be loud, and be unafraid. No matter who you are, and no matter who you love, we all deserve to live a full and happy life free from hate, stigma, and violence.
Name: Rachel Ringgenberg
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State: Missouri
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Ages: 29
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Education/Occupation:
Master of Public Health, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2021
Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2018
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Hobbies: I’m a grand millennial at heart, as I love to knit, crochet, tend my garden, and go thrifting for vintage pieces. I am also a gifted runner, having finished multiple half marathons and my first full marathon in 2023, with the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
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Ambitions: I aim to earn my Ph.D. and teach at the university level. I want to teach future generations of public health professionals so they can make positive changes in our communities.
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INTRODUCTION
I am Rachel Ringgenberg, a 28-year-old health educator in Saint Louis, Missouri. I have a master’s degree in public health and work at my county’s public health department focusing on LGBTQ+ outreach and health education. I am incredibly passionate about health equity, as I experienced gender discrimination firsthand when seeking treatment for a severe pelvic infection. This near-death experience renewed my drive to seek health equity for women and the LGBTQ+ community. I have volunteered with multiple organizations focusing on improving healthcare access for marginalized communities, including NAMI St. Louis and the American Cancer Society. In fact, I raised over $800 for ACS as part of the DetermiNation team when I ran the Surf City Marathon this year. Running brings me so much joy because I love staying active, and one day I hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I have much grit, so when I set a goal, I’m determined to meet it, but I also have a soft heart. I love animals and have two dogs at home I spend every moment I can with them.