EVA - Amy O'Shea

BA 2009, Political Science II MPA & MSES 2012, Indiana University Bloomington

Founder, Bright Books, Washington, DC         

Manager, Grant Thornton LLP, Washington, DC

Amy O'Shea is an energy access advocate in Washington, DC who is dedicated to improving the environment and increasing opportunities for young people living in poverty. Her company, Bright Books, provides solar lights to children in need through the sale of high-quality journals. A native of Los Angeles, her hobbies include playing the guitar, yoga, hiking and journaling.

About Bright Books: Bright Books is a new social enterprise which aims to alleviate energy poverty through the sales of high-quality goods. For every pair of journals purchased, we donate one solar light to a child in need. Our mission is to provide beautiful, sustainably made goods for our customers and to raise awareness about energy access. 

Bright Books are printed on FSC certified paper and manufactured in an ICTI Cares facility.

Why solar lights? Because nearly 1.2 billion people in the developing world currently lack access to basic electricity. Without electricity, people use kerosene lamps to light homes that are expensive and emit toxic fumes. By replacing the kerosene lamps with a portable, solar light, children can safely read and study at night without risking fires, or health/environmental consequences. We partner with NGOs in rural schools and refugee camps to get lights to those most in need. 

Read our website to learn more about our partners and the lights we donate.

In September 2018, Amy was honored as an 2018 Emerging Voice Award recipient on behalf of the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University. Since 2008 the College of Liberal Arts Alumni Board and the Purdue Alumni Association have been honoring young alumni from the College of Liberal Arts who are successfully achieving their career goals, serving their communities, and representing the College as graduates who think broadly and lead boldly.