NiamhMcGarry

“[Marian] is absolutely foundational to who I am today,” said Erin Feichtinger ‘06. Once a Marian girl sporting a plaid skirt, Feichtinger is now campaigning to be a Nebraska State Senator in the 2026 election. Feichtinger shares her story from walking the Marian halls as a student to a lobbyist in the State Capitol. 

Women make up a little bit over 50% of Nebraska’s population, yet only 29% of elected officials are women. In a male-dominated field, Feichtinger continues to advance. With decades of the political sphere being closed off to women, Feichtinger proves to all women that they can persist through obstacles like old societal structures. 

While some may view politics as a space for adults, Feichtinger believes that the voices of young people are beyond valuable. “[Young people have] to care, you’re going to save us all,” Feichtinger stated. Young people must care about politics; if not, someone else will end up making decisions about their future. 

Marian encourages young women to embrace their values and be confident about their beliefs. Feichtinger explained how Marian brought her out of her shell and made her curious about the world. “It is a place where you have the opportunity to pursue various interests in a way that you don’t get to in other places.” 

When going door to door for her campaigns, Feichtinger would occasionally come across Marian alumni. “When someone went to Marian there’s a vibe about them and an energy that they bring,” said Feichtinger. She credits Marian for contributing to where she is today. 

Marian students should take Feichtinger as an example for their own future, regardless of career interests or passions. Her strength exemplifies the kind of woman Marian encourages girls to become: courageous, passionate, and confident. As she said, Marian creates a great pathway and opportunity for girls to become stronger women.