[Meet Michele Dappert.]
Who She Is.
Since coming home to Easton from college, Michele Dappert has been deeply involved in local elections, primarily by providing logistical and technical support to candidates, volunteering for organizations such as the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, and as an Election Judge for the county. Elevated to be Vice President of the Democratic Forum, she sits on the Communications Board and was recently published in the Star Democrat encouraging participation in the political process.
Michele is also a former elected member of the Talbot County Democratic Central Committee and continued to volunteer even after leaving the TCDCC. She lends her professional expertise in the field of digital marketing on behalf of local community leaders. As a senior marketing specialist, she has extensive experience in detail-oriented, technical work. The job Michele is proud to do every day is to ensure that others are seen and heard.
Described by her life-long friends, Michele refuses to take things at face value, “always looking at both sides before forming an opinion.”
Why She’s Running.
Laptop Initiative - Easton High School, 2012
Canvassing for Local Issues - June 1st, 2019
Michele first became involved in the local community as a student of Easton High School, when working to ensure the continuation of the Laptop 1:1 Initiative. This program -- which gave every Talbot County high school student a laptop -- has been linked to statistically positive improvement on student’s test scores, but she had a more personal connection.
A flare-up of a genetic, childhood illness left her unable to hold a pencil. Yet, she could still type. So, due to the Laptop Initiative, Michele was able to keep up with school assignments, take exams and graduate.
When the Laptop Initiative was threatened with defunding, Michele got her first taste of real activism. She was asked to serve as a student representative to save the Laptops. And when the Talbot business community joined the school effort to ensure funding, Michele learned that government and private citizens could come together to bring positive change.
Between the technology provided by Easton High and the support she received from the teachers, staff and Talbot County at large, she was able to go to Emerson College and graduate with a degree in Digital Communication and Political Science in 2013.
“Those majors are linked,” she said, “Without technology and community, I would have never been this successful. I have a deep need to give back to the community that gave me so much.”
Michele wants to ensure that not only the students who come up behind her, but her fellow Talbot County citizens have continued access to tools of the modern era. She understands the difference that having broadband access in your home can make for a child's life; she knows how important it is for working families to have support from the County and school systems, especially with recent pivots to hybrid and remote education.
As a great granddaughter of immigrants, and the daughter of a fiercely activist mother, she has always known the work of safe-guarding democracy -- and elevating the voices of the unheard -- is of paramount importance.
Foundation for Hope - 2021
Black Lives Matter Protest in Downtown Easton - Summer 2020
At Home - Crabfest 2021
Juneteenth 2021 - Volunteering with Frederick Douglass Honor Society
Summer 2021 - MD Democratic Event with Emerge Sisters!
First Friday with Heather Mizeur! May 2022
Canvassing Event - May 6, 2019
Campaign Shirt Fashion Show with Naomi Hyman - May 22
Fast, Fun Facts.
Learned how to be flexible by competing for ten years in artistic gymnastics and being an Easton High cheerleader – since the time she was found atop a book-shelf at age 2 (to the horror and annoyance of her parents).
A devoted reader, Michele is a firm believer that too many books is never the problem – the problem is not having enough shelf space in her home off Dutchman’s, with her boyfriend and their two cats
Has worn out two pairs of shoes canvassing for local candidates
Her mother has 54 first cousins (at last count). Her father has 3. Ever seen ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’? Her parents wedding was like that, but it was ‘My Big Fat Italian Wedding’
‘How to Fill Out Your Ballot’ - October 2020