Memoir | Interlude | Part II of VI | Networking

In an attempt to leave the housing projects in pursuit of employment and a brighter future, I found myself drawn to Capitol Hill, not just by ambition, but by the vivid world Elizabeth L. Ray painted in The Washington Fringe Benefit.

In this eye-opening read, Ray revealed her scandalous encounters with not one but two U.S. Congressmen. But engaging in illicit affairs with influential government officials was the last thing on my mind. Her book lit a spark, yes, but what awaited me beyond its pages was far more transformative.

With Capitol Hill just across the Anacostia River from my neighborhood, I figured, why not take a chance and see what opportunities I could find? And let me tell you, that decision turned out to be the best one I ever made. It was my first real step toward independence, away from my mother’s rule.

I saw an opportunity to reshape my circumstances: to pursue a career on the Hill, liberate myself from the clutches of the projects, carve out a comfortable existence, and live free of reliance on any man.

Stepping into this dynamic district marked the beginning of Part Two in my six-part memoir journey: Networking.

Capitol Hill became more than a workplace, it was a crucible of opportunity, where chance encounters and intentional connections shaped my path in ways I never could have scripted.

The Hill offered not just professional prospects, but a masterclass in navigating relationships, reading rooms, and recognizing when a closed door was simply an invitation to knock louder.

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(Copyright © 2025 by Mia Z. Edwards. All rights reserved.)