Erin Schrode, the youngest person to run for Congress, perseveres after getting large amounts of hate mail for being Jewish.

She told Kent State students Thursday night that every single person has the power to affect change.

Schrode said she ran for Congress in March 2016 and only had 70 days until the primary.

Days before the election, she said she woke up to thousands of hateful messages on her email, social media and voicemail in response to articles released about her Jewish faith.

Schrode said she never hid the fact that she was Jewish, but she originally wasn’t an advocate for Judaism.

“Before I get out of bed I am reminded I am Jewish and reminded that this is not my country,” Schrode said.

Schrode said she felt completely violated and could not escape the affect of her hate mail.

“Sometimes you want to throw a hissy fit, but it’s not all about me. This is not just about about Jews. It is about humanity,” Schrod said. 

Schrode said she chose to turn passion into action, and she said she feels not discussing hate and anti-Semitism is a disservice to justice, peace and society.

“A lot of people loose sight that anti-Semitism is a real thing,” Hillel’s Interim Executive Director Harvey Sass said.

Schrode said she began her career at the age of 13 by establishing a non-profit called Turning Green with the hope of addressing hazardous chemicals in household products.

Sass said Schrode has an incredible message to share about the power of one person.

Schrode did not win the primary, but plans to run again in years to come.

“She had me in tears at one point,” said Elizabeth Haskell, senior environmental geography major.