Madeline Erdman and the beauty of independence

Madeline Erdman

Breaking down constructs that design society, Madeline Erdman seeks to understand a world vastly different from her own. Erdman is the first person from her high school, Immaculate Heart Academy in New Jersey, to attend Saint Louis University. She originally came to SLU with the idea of majoring in education to pursue teaching kindergarten classes. However, she quickly realized teaching was not her dream.

“Second semester freshman year I was like ‘this is ridiculous I can’t do it’ I was not passionate about it and I was so sad.”

Bouncing around ideas of what she loves, what she wants out of her education, and what she wishes for society, politics came to mind. Specifically, she is interested in how the rules which outline society were made and how to change them.

“I am interested in how politics works, how things are, why they are, and how we can make things better.”

Majoring in political science has offered her a focused and goal oriented route to discover what passions she has for politics. By gaining a greater understanding of the structures that design society, she has been able to listen to stories that help explain the triumphs and pitfalls of s

ociety. She takes reading seriously and seeks a book that will spark her curiosity to learn about how our society came to be today. Books such as Poor People's Movement and authors such as Angela Davis have allowed her to be aware of what realities are happening and what has happened to people from differing backgrounds.

“I used to live in a little world of my own. I didn’t really recognize what was going on around me. My world was so small.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took it upon herself to get to the core of what characteristics make up her personality. Through reading and meditation, she was able to see the essence of

her existence as a friend and fellow human being. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed an opportunity for her to grow and understand the truths she lives for and swears by.

“The pandemic was really a time where I could reflect on what I was doing and where I was heading. I’m pretty sensitive. I don’t like seeing other people hurting. I also learned I am really strong and I do have a way to change things, and I do have agency. I learned to love and trust myself more.”

Kellin Jeffries and Erdman have been best friends for the past two years. Jeffries is fond of Erdman and sheds light on their bond as friends. They are always hanging out with one another and Jeffries has gotten to know Erdman well. Jeffries comments shed light on to the growth Erdman has achieved.

“Maddie is an incredibly kind and generous person who is always insightful and well spoken. She has a huge heart and brings light to all the people around her.”

Lia Basden, a friend of Erdman and a student at SLU, appreciates Erdman’s voracity to be her own person. Basden describes Erdman’s passion for social justice and offers a powerful description of Erdman’s bubbly personality.

“Outgoing, excited, passionate, she takes things very seriously like social justice issues. She is very admirable”