Member of the Month: Melissa Barbee

Melissa Barbee
Cartersville, Georgia

“I’d like to change people’s awareness of what’s going on in their local governments and communities. I got to see first-hand what a difference people can make at LPAC.”

Melissa Barbee is formerly a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, having served as a nuclear missile operator for seven years after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Originally from Cartersville, Georgia, she is the second of five sisters and the proud aunt of a newborn nephew. Her favorite pastime is reading and she also enjoys playing poker, golf, and traveling.

Melissa recounts that even as a little girl she admired and appreciated the beauty and logic of the free market system and individual rights. But up until 2008, although she had skepticism of our foreign policy, she largely gave President Bush and American leaders the benefit of the doubt. That is until she discovered Ron Paul, “Finally when I heard Ron Paul debate in 2008, I thought he actually made sense. I started watching old videos of him and saw how consistent he is.”

After further research and influence from liberty promoting outlets, Melissa determined to contribute to the cause. That’s when Campaign for Liberty caught her attention, “I began receiving emails from C4L and saw there was a community of people with like minds and purpose.”

After attending LPAC 2014, along with her mother, Mary, she is eager to apply the lessons she learned. Melissa explains, “I’d like to change people’s awareness of what’s going on in their local governments and communities. I got to see first-hand what a difference people can make at LPAC. The stories of the state and local C4L leaders like Talbert Black and Cathy Ide were so inspiring.”

As she transitions from military life to civilian, Melissa looks to pursue a career in law, politics, or teaching, while becoming more engaged in the liberty movement, “I’ve always been preoccupied with theoretical debates regarding decisions at the federal level. Now I know to pay attention to the local level.”

Know a liberty activist you would like to see profiled? Email C4L Director of Membership, Matthew.Burrow@campaignforliberty.com