
Jurisdiction: Edenton
University: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Hometown: Otto, NC
Saoirse Scott is a Lead For North Carolina Fellow working with the Town Planner and Town Manager of Edenton, NC on long term community development and rehabilitation initiatives. Before beginning her fellowship, Saoirse graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and Hispanic Linguistics and a minor in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She spent her free time as the Treasurer and Concert Manager for the Tarpeggios, a coed a cappella group on campus and enjoyed their community engagement and philanthropic work. During her time as an undergrad, she worked as the Outreach Coordinator for Teachers2Teachers (T2T) Global, a non-profit STEM education organization, and recruited teachers from all over the US to serve on teacher trips promoting STEM education and professional development in partner communities around the world. Saoirse is passionate about social, environmental and economic justice issues and hopes to continue her career in public service and politics after completing her fellowship.
On some core pieces of her identity: With a name like Saoirse Littlebear Scott, people never really know what to expect when they meet me, and I like that. It gives me an opportunity to surprise them, and I usually do. I grew up on a farm in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains and for the first 11 years of my life, I was homeschooled.
Recent Work Accomplishments:
Saoirse created the City's 60-page ADA compliance policy. She also facilitated a public input session for Edenton's ADA Transition Plan. She also met with community members that have disabilities to inform the town’s plan to increase their quality of life in Edenton. Saoirse also created educational sheets/brochures on ADA language awareness for town employees on the importance of using inclusive language. She also presented pivotal research on improving Edenton's housing codes, clarifying the City's authority to enforce different kinds of violations, and how to raise the overall quality of life for Edenton residents.