About Me.
Hi! I'm Maree Hawkins, and I'm thrilled to share my journey with you! As a passionate student, wholeheartedly dedicated to public service, equity and rebuilding America one community at a time. Entering into 9th grade at Xavier, it quickly dawned on me that I belonged somewhere else: a place where I can nationally debate, participate in Model UN, build relationships that span across continents and directly impact others; this place was Cate. I'm eager to tackle real-world issues head-on and expand my understanding of our nation. Becoming a public servant and a valuable asset to our global community is a long term goal of mine, and I'm excited to show you what truly makes me who I am!
My Journey
2010
Beginnings
Beginning my life in Oakland, I was taught early that struggle and strength go hand in hand. My parents’ fight to rebuild after the recession—relying on food stamps, crammed into my grandparents’ house—wasn’t unique. All around me, friends balanced school with jobs, even parenting siblings, while the systems meant to help them kept falling short. But what stuck with me wasn’t just the hardship; it was how my community showed up for each other. Neighbors babysat my siblings and I, my parents were always ready to help a friend move, and I somehow never missed a meal That’s the Oakland I know: where gaps in the system get filled by people who refuse to look away. And that’s why I’m stepping into politics—because I’ve seen what happens when leadership actually listens to the block.
2020-2025
The In-between
With this awkward time I have -- before my career has started, but after I've been made aware of these issues -- I find myself excited to learn and engage in diverse communities and workspaces. There’s a hunger in me now, gnawing at every part of my life: for knowledge, for deeper conversations, for spaces where diversity isn’t just tolerated but celebrated. I want to feed it with everything I can—books that challenge me, friends who push me, laughter that disarms, love that sustains, and experiences that force my perspective wider.
The Rest
Aspirations
Every day, history feels less like a lesson and more like a warning. The rollbacks of DEI mirror broken promises we’ve seen before -- 40 acres and a mule, the Treaty of Hopewell, the unfulfilled vision of a truly free state. As someone who loves history, it’s equal parts terrifying and fascinating: Will we repeat the same mistakes, or finally break the cycle? I don’t just want to watch from the sidelines. Whether as a supporter, a leader, or simply someone who refuses to stay silent, I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to unite people. Because if there’s one thing history does teach us, it’s that progress only happens when we demand it, together.
Essays, Blogs, Resume, etc.
A glimpse into my mind
Take a look at some of the writing I've done, spanning across many topics and genres. Writing is a hobby of mine; I believe it connects people -- storytelling immerses you into someone else's life and allows you to see a new take on things. So here's mine.
