…we all live in community together. So we do have to work with people who have differing opinions and ideas. How do we do that in a way that is productive in this climate? That’s a really tricky thing to do.

— Mikaela Henninger, AOC Co-Founder

I sat down with Mikaela Henninger, Melanie Tompkins, and Janel Underwood-Charette, co-founders of the Aroostook Organizers for Change to talk about the beginnings of AOC and their goals for the future. From advocating for the preservation (and restoration) of women’s rights to organizing food drives and local deliveries, these women are making sure their voices, and those of everyone else in Aroostook County and beyond, are heard.

Here is part 2 in my interview with the co-founders of AOC, where they discuss their efforts to find common grounds with people across the political spectrum to fight hunger locally and build meaningful bonds to bridge the gaps between Democrats and Republicans.