More than ever before, college students are becoming increasingly involved in politics on a local and national level. For London Breedlove, a political science major going into her junior year at the University of Montevallo, an interest in politics soon led her to the path of law.
“My dad is a super political person, and we would just always talk about politics and what’s going on in the media,” she said. “With everything in the media with the recent presidential elections, it’s gotten people very involved, which I think is a good thing.”
Breedlove, a Madison, Mississippi native, is minoring in pre-law. Being able to shadow lawyers at the Butler Snow law firm confirmed for her that she was entering the right field.
“I thought I would really enjoy being a lawyer because I think I have good communication and interpersonal skills and I like to debate,” she said. “I just fell in love with the kind of work they do and their day-to-day lives.”
Last summer, Breedlove got a chance to delve into the political science realm through an internship in the office of Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. Her duties included conducting constituent phone calls and attending press conferences.
“I really had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be a super beneficial experience,” Breedlove said. “If I hadn’t done it, I would’ve had no idea what was really going on behind the scenes of Mississippi’s government. And I also met some other cool interns that were working there with me and made really strong friendships with them.”
This summer, Breedlove has been interning with Mississippi State Representative Jill Ford of Madison County. She helps with Ford’s social media and has been able to attend political events with her and network.
“We’ve become great friends and I’ve gotten to meet other representatives and other elected officials through her,” Breedlove said. “She’s honestly kind of taken on a motherly figure, kind of showing me the ropes.”
Growing up in a small town and attending a private school, Breedlove says she first felt like a fish out of water upon arriving at UM, but soon found herself forming friendships with people from all sorts of different backgrounds. Although her priority when coming to the University was joining the women’s tennis team, she soon became involved in so much more that the campus had to offer. She is an honors student, a member of Phi Mu sorority and the former chief justice of the Student Government Association Supreme Court.
In the upcoming school year, Breedlove is looking forward to sorority recruitment, a new tennis season and starting her upper-level political science classes. While she has the option to graduate in three years, she has no desire to rush through her time at UM.
“This place is so special,” she said. “All these people can come together and come to this school and get a good education and meet lifelong friends. It’s crazy how it just all goes together like puzzle pieces. I just feel like I really have made Montevallo my home.”
