Across the country, women are taking this election into their own hands…and their own homes. In giving their all to change our country for the better, they remind us that meaningful change only happens from the bottom up; if we want a President we can believe in, we each need to take ownership of the electoral process.
Last weekend Ama and two other women for Obama hosted a fundraiser -- which they called "Spring for Obama" -- at Ama’s house in Maryland. The inspired event raised $1,000 – and was another example of the Obama grassroots community building that has brought him so close to the winning the Democratic nomination and will, in November, earn him the presidency.
Spring for Obama hosts Jennifer, Cori and Ama
Here’s how Ama describes the event as part of her own on-going Obama campaign:
I met the party co-hosts Cori and Jennifer at my home on separate occasions when I hosted phone banking parties to call women voters in Wisconsin, and a few other states. At each phone banking party I had anywhere from 5-10 women, most of whom found out about it through mass e-mails sent by Young Lawyers for Obama or Women For Obama. Cori, Jennifer and I kept in touch and Cori and Jennifer made a trip to register voters in Pennsylvania a couple weekends ago. We all decided that we wanted to host a fundraiser by inviting as many of our friends as possible and asking them to contribute $20 per person, $30 per pair - kids free. The event was a great success - we raffled a couple door prizes (Obama bumper stickers, two copies of "Dreams of my Father" and an Obama '08 t-shirt). We served salads, ordered special "O" cookies -- and Obamaritas and Obamatinis were among our drink specialties. About 30 people came, plus children, and friends who couldn't make it contributed on line. Everyone had a great time and we raised just over $1,000.
I met the party co-hosts Cori and Jennifer at my home on separate occasions when I hosted phone banking parties to call women voters in Wisconsin, and a few other states. At each phone banking party I had anywhere from 5-10 women, most of whom found out about it through mass e-mails sent by Young Lawyers for Obama or Women For Obama.
Cori, Jennifer and I kept in touch and Cori and Jennifer made a trip to register voters in Pennsylvania a couple weekends ago. We all decided that we wanted to host a fundraiser by inviting as many of our friends as possible and asking them to contribute $20 per person, $30 per pair - kids free.
The event was a great success - we raffled a couple door prizes (Obama bumper stickers, two copies of "Dreams of my Father" and an Obama '08 t-shirt). We served salads, ordered special "O" cookies -- and Obamaritas and Obamatinis were among our drink specialties. About 30 people came, plus children, and friends who couldn't make it contributed on line. Everyone had a great time and we raised just over $1,000.
Thank you Ama, for your efforts and your reminder that we each can try to spend a little less time watching Barack earn the nomination on TV and a little more time making it happen ourselves!
Now let's get Barackupied hosting our own Spring for Obama events!
A year ago, Nicole was a community organizer in San Francisco. For six years, she worked at the grassroots level to help people improve their neighborhoods and communities. She didn’t get involved in national politics – something about the process just turned her off.
Two days ago, Nicole stood on a stage in Wilmington, DE and rallied a crowd of 20,000 to vote for Barack. She had them take out their cell phones and call undecided voters. She told them the same thing she has been saying on the streets of San Francisco for half a decade: you have the power to change your world.
Today Nicole is back on the streets, urging voters to get to the polls.
Michelle at Delaware State University
It has been a big week for politics in Delaware. Last Thursday Michelle came and drew the biggest crowds she has ever drawn on the campaign trail. Nearly 3,000 people came out to hear her speak at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington and at Delaware State University in Dover.
Women for (Michelle) Obama
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Listening to Michelle in Wilmington
And Sunday Barack made history, when his speech in downtown Wilmington drew the largest crowd – over 20,000 people – in recent Delaware memory. People crowded in for blocks around Rodney Square to listen to his message of hope and change.
Barack was welcomed to the stage (after Nicole had made her pitch) by Delaware State Treasurer Jack Markell and Lieutenant Governor John Carney, who are currently running hard against each other for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. They showed grace and unity in raising their hands, together, for Barack.
Kayla, Ben and Reina arrive early to help organize the crowd
Delaware is known as the First State because it was the first to ratify the Constitution. Today, Nicole is doing everything she can to ensure that Delaware continues to embrace real change, and says to the world, “Yes We Can!”
Obama volunteers on election day in Wilmington, DE
“Everyone has a role as a deciding factor in this country’s future. You can stay silent or you can speak up."
Joyce wrote us from South Carolina to offer her experience of Saturday’s primary, and as a committed supporter of Barack Obama.
Joyce (left) at work earlier in the campaign Saturday, January 26, 2008 started for me at 4:00am. I awoke with one thing on my mind and that was to help Senator Barack Obama win the South Carolina Democratic Primary. The Obama SC Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign had led to GOTV day. All the late nights in the campaign office after leaving my paid job and all the weekends of training had led to this moment. There were a few wrinkles in the process but those were smoothed out with quick on the spot thinking. The seven people that I was responsible for were in place to do their various tasks. I glanced at my car clock and said a prayer when the clock changed to 7:00am; the polls were open. Back at mini Obama HQ, it was quiet for approximately seven minutes. And then my cell phone began to vibrate and sing with the Obama ring tone. Volunteers came to make phone calls to remind our supporters to go and vote and gave them a telephone number to call if they encountered problems. There were a number of canvassers that went out to knock on doors and check that supporters had gotten out to vote and gave them their polling locations. We were fed and given snacks by volunteers responsible for food. There were three children that came in with their moms who were making phone calls. Two beautiful little girls played and made a picture for Senator Obama. One cute little boy played and watched his Chipmunks DVD. The children reminded me why I was up so early and working so hard, they are our future. And I want their future to be bright. With less than an hour to go and after my last crisis for the day, I headed out to one of the polls to watch the shut down process. The first results I heard were for that precinct, Obama 755 out of total 997 votes. As it turned out that was the common message across the state. There are 46 counties in South Carolina and Senator Obama won 44 of those counties. There were 295,214 out of 532,468 votes cast across the state for Senator Obama. Senator Obama's votes surpassed total votes cast during the last 2004 Presidential Democratic Primary with 184,288 votes cast for the whole election. After wrapping up with GOTV activities and getting the final tallies for the day, I zoomed downtown to the Convention Center. There were people everywhere. We yelled and screamed jumped up and down as the results were announced. And then Senator Obama and Mrs. Obama entered the stage. The crowd went crazy. At that moment, I forgot about the hours of volunteering, the long day, and my aching feet. The victory speech was amazing and yet there was still a humble spirit that we have a long way to go. This experience has been amazing. It began with me researching the candidates early in April before the first debate in Orangeburg, SC; then to my decision to support Senator Obama on April 27th. Ultimately, I decided to actively volunteer in May of 2007. I initially volunteered because I wanted to be part of the solution and not merely complain about the problems. I never expected that I would read a poem during celebration of filing the paperwork to add Senator Obama's name to the South Carolina ballot. Nor did I expect to have the opportunity to assist National Staff, meet Secret Service agents, get a hug from Senator Obama in the South Carolina Statehouse as well as see and meet the other candidates. Everyone has a role as a deciding factor in this country’s future. You can stay silent or you can speak up. Decide what is important to you and pursue it with all the passion in your being. Don't just exist, live like life is worth living. Become engaged in the world of events. There now is a short road to Super Tuesday, February 5th and a lot of work to be done. And yes, this country is ready for a man different than the status quo. Still Fired Up and Ready to Go!
Joyce (left) at work earlier in the campaign
Saturday, January 26, 2008 started for me at 4:00am. I awoke with one thing on my mind and that was to help Senator Barack Obama win the South Carolina Democratic Primary.
The Obama SC Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign had led to GOTV day. All the late nights in the campaign office after leaving my paid job and all the weekends of training had led to this moment. There were a few wrinkles in the process but those were smoothed out with quick on the spot thinking. The seven people that I was responsible for were in place to do their various tasks. I glanced at my car clock and said a prayer when the clock changed to 7:00am; the polls were open.
Back at mini Obama HQ, it was quiet for approximately seven minutes. And then my cell phone began to vibrate and sing with the Obama ring tone.
Volunteers came to make phone calls to remind our supporters to go and vote and gave them a telephone number to call if they encountered problems. There were a number of canvassers that went out to knock on doors and check that supporters had gotten out to vote and gave them their polling locations. We were fed and given snacks by volunteers responsible for food.
There were three children that came in with their moms who were making phone calls. Two beautiful little girls played and made a picture for Senator Obama. One cute little boy played and watched his Chipmunks DVD. The children reminded me why I was up so early and working so hard, they are our future. And I want their future to be bright.
With less than an hour to go and after my last crisis for the day, I headed out to one of the polls to watch the shut down process. The first results I heard were for that precinct, Obama 755 out of total 997 votes. As it turned out that was the common message across the state. There are 46 counties in South Carolina and Senator Obama won 44 of those counties. There were 295,214 out of 532,468 votes cast across the state for Senator Obama. Senator Obama's votes surpassed total votes cast during the last 2004 Presidential Democratic Primary with 184,288 votes cast for the whole election.
After wrapping up with GOTV activities and getting the final tallies for the day, I zoomed downtown to the Convention Center. There were people everywhere. We yelled and screamed jumped up and down as the results were announced.
And then Senator Obama and Mrs. Obama entered the stage. The crowd went crazy. At that moment, I forgot about the hours of volunteering, the long day, and my aching feet. The victory speech was amazing and yet there was still a humble spirit that we have a long way to go.
This experience has been amazing. It began with me researching the candidates early in April before the first debate in Orangeburg, SC; then to my decision to support Senator Obama on April 27th. Ultimately, I decided to actively volunteer in May of 2007.
I initially volunteered because I wanted to be part of the solution and not merely complain about the problems. I never expected that I would read a poem during celebration of filing the paperwork to add Senator Obama's name to the South Carolina ballot. Nor did I expect to have the opportunity to assist National Staff, meet Secret Service agents, get a hug from Senator Obama in the South Carolina Statehouse as well as see and meet the other candidates.
Everyone has a role as a deciding factor in this country’s future. You can stay silent or you can speak up. Decide what is important to you and pursue it with all the passion in your being. Don't just exist, live like life is worth living. Become engaged in the world of events. There now is a short road to Super Tuesday, February 5th and a lot of work to be done. And yes, this country is ready for a man different than the status quo.
Still Fired Up and Ready to Go!
Christine is a two-career professional in San Diego: a former architect, she now runs her own business consulation, branding and marketing company. She is actively involved in her community in San Diego.
Christine is analytical; a practical thinker. She has this to say about her decision to support Barack:
Countless of us hit our head on the proverbial glass ceiling, and all of us have entertained dreams of electing The First Woman President in our lifetime -- believing that we are not as bellicose as men and would be less prone to sending our young to war, that we might be less linear in our approach to solving problems -- and some of us, with less altruistic motives, just wanting to balance or reverse the male dominance in political affairs. We dreamed of a woman who, standing alone, would do us proud -- all of us. Those of us who have endorsed Obama (or Edwards, for that matter) have done so after thoughtful soul searching, guilt tugging at our feminist dreams and edicts, and at our longing for equal rights. We now need a President who can rally more than us, women Democrats. We need all of us plus Independents and Republicans -- someone who will deliver the Presidency in November. We can't afford to nominate the candidate Republicans dream to oppose in the general election. We need someone who can win. Better, someone who can win with some cross-party mandate. Electability is key. Another four years -- let alone eight years -- of Republican ruling would certainly allow for two or three new Supreme Court Judges to be elected and for every level of our judicial system to be equally and adversely affected. This alone should unite all women to vote for Barack.
Countless of us hit our head on the proverbial glass ceiling, and all of us have entertained dreams of electing The First Woman President in our lifetime -- believing that we are not as bellicose as men and would be less prone to sending our young to war, that we might be less linear in our approach to solving problems -- and some of us, with less altruistic motives, just wanting to balance or reverse the male dominance in political affairs. We dreamed of a woman who, standing alone, would do us proud -- all of us.
Those of us who have endorsed Obama (or Edwards, for that matter) have done so after thoughtful soul searching, guilt tugging at our feminist dreams and edicts, and at our longing for equal rights.
We now need a President who can rally more than us, women Democrats. We need all of us plus Independents and Republicans -- someone who will deliver the Presidency in November. We can't afford to nominate the candidate Republicans dream to oppose in the general election. We need someone who can win. Better, someone who can win with some cross-party mandate.
Electability is key. Another four years -- let alone eight years -- of Republican ruling would certainly allow for two or three new Supreme Court Judges to be elected and for every level of our judicial system to be equally and adversely affected. This alone should unite all women to vote for Barack.
As Barack said in today's statement marking the 35th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision, we are again at a critical time in the defense of women's reproductive rights. The choice movement has too many battles ahead to be able to afford the kind of politics that pits supporters against one another.
Because of divisive and dishonest tactics, some women now question Sen. Obama's commitment to choice. Below are examples of how women have reacted to these distortions. Please make sure your own friends and networks are armed with facts.
Former New Hampshire State Senator and Clinton supporter Katie Wheeler asks Clinton Campaign to stop divisive attacks The Washington Post reported, “One of the three Clinton supporters went even further, saying in an interview Thursday that signing the letter attacking Obama was a ‘mistake.’ Katie Wheeler, a former state senator, said the Clinton campaign had not given her background information about Obama's record on abortion rights when it asked her to sign the letter calling him weak on the issue, and said that, as a result, she did not understand the context of the votes that the letter was attacking him over. ‘It should never have gotten to the point where anyone thought Obama was not pro-choice,’ said Wheeler, a founder of the New Hampshire chapter of NARAL Pro-Choice America. ‘I don't think the Clinton campaign should have done that. It was divisive and unnecessary...I think it was a mistake and I've spoken to the national [Clinton campaign] and told them it caused problems in New Hampshire, and am hoping they won't do it again.’” (Washington Post, 1/19/08) Gloria Steinem called the Clinton Campaign to ask them to stop distorting Obama’s record on choice Gloria Steinem said, “I think we just have to be able to call each other up. You know, I mean, my friends who are working in the Obama campaign called me up and said someone, not Hillary Clinton, but someone for Hillary Clinton, an organization, was saying that Obama – was distorting Obama’s record on safe and legal abortion. And so, if we can, backstage. And so I called up and tried to do my best to eliminate that distortion, to make sure it wasn’t happening.” (Jack And Jill Politics, YouTube, 4th Segment, 5:00, 1/15/08)Former Chicago NOW President, former Clinton Supporter Lorna Brett bemoans the toll dishonest attacks take on the choice movement“There's never been a problem with Sen. Obama. It's really a shame,’ said Lorna Brett, a Clinton supporter and former president of Chicago NOW. Brett and other women's rights and abortion rights advocates say they often asked lawmakers to vote present as part of a larger legislative strategy. ‘In this case, I think both candidates are committed to choice and I hate to see the pro-choice community cannibalize itself on this issue,’ said Brett. ‘If either candidate wins, the pro-choice community is in good hands.’” (Chicago Tribune, 12/4/07)
Former New Hampshire State Senator and Clinton supporter Katie Wheeler asks Clinton Campaign to stop divisive attacks
The Washington Post reported, “One of the three Clinton supporters went even further, saying in an interview Thursday that signing the letter attacking Obama was a ‘mistake.’ Katie Wheeler, a former state senator, said the Clinton campaign had not given her background information about Obama's record on abortion rights when it asked her to sign the letter calling him weak on the issue, and said that, as a result, she did not understand the context of the votes that the letter was attacking him over.
‘It should never have gotten to the point where anyone thought Obama was not pro-choice,’ said Wheeler, a founder of the New Hampshire chapter of NARAL Pro-Choice America. ‘I don't think the Clinton campaign should have done that. It was divisive and unnecessary...I think it was a mistake and I've spoken to the national [Clinton campaign] and told them it caused problems in New Hampshire, and am hoping they won't do it again.’” (Washington Post, 1/19/08)
Gloria Steinem called the Clinton Campaign to ask them to stop distorting Obama’s record on choice
Gloria Steinem said, “I think we just have to be able to call each other up. You know, I mean, my friends who are working in the Obama campaign called me up and said someone, not Hillary Clinton, but someone for Hillary Clinton, an organization, was saying that Obama – was distorting Obama’s record on safe and legal abortion. And so, if we can, backstage. And so I called up and tried to do my best to eliminate that distortion, to make sure it wasn’t happening.” (Jack And Jill Politics, YouTube, 4th Segment, 5:00, 1/15/08)
Former Chicago NOW President, former Clinton Supporter Lorna Brett bemoans the toll dishonest attacks take on the choice movement
“There's never been a problem with Sen. Obama. It's really a shame,’ said Lorna Brett, a Clinton supporter and former president of Chicago NOW. Brett and other women's rights and abortion rights advocates say they often asked lawmakers to vote present as part of a larger legislative strategy. ‘In this case, I think both candidates are committed to choice and I hate to see the pro-choice community cannibalize itself on this issue,’ said Brett. ‘If either candidate wins, the pro-choice community is in good hands.’” (Chicago Tribune, 12/4/07)
Something extraordinary happened in Iowa on January 3rd. A movement came together and made itself heard. The world may not have changed – yet – but we took a step in the right direction.
Tamara, also known on line as Mid America Mom, is one of the thousands of women who have stood up for change and taken ownership of a piece of this campaign. Her diary from volunteering in Iowa offers a glimpse of the dedication that was behind that victory – and reminds us that together we have what it takes to send Barack to the White House.
Meanwhile, Tamara has already moved on to volunteer in another neighboring, early-voting state.
Tamara (right) in Iowa
Tamara wrote from Iowa:
Though I am not from this state, rural Iowa is the land of my father. It is like coming home. Volunteering here means spending time in a town where I have a 70-year-young aunt and uncle, a cousin with a family of 6, and over in the next town is another aunt and uncle. My family is all Republican and, yes, I am a Republican. But this year I am the black sheep of the family, supporting a Democrat, and my senator, Barack Obama. In a way they are supporting the effort - by housing and feeding me for a whole week. My husband and two small children have joined me out here on the trail. With family babysitting assistance my husband has hit the campaign trail with me. It is a first for both of us, being involved in a campaign, giving money, making phone calls... Today I stopped by a local coffee shop. One of the patrons came over from where she lives, in a local nursing home. She says "Oh from the Obama campaign?" when she sees me walk in with my full winter gear; three layers of pants, three layers of shirts (last one on of course is an Obama sweatshirt), and my knit hat with an Obama button hanging right on my forehead -- I must be quite a sight! We make small talk about the TV ads she saw last night and I share that I am a Republican. I learn that she is a lifelong Republican too! And this year, she will be going to her very first Democratic caucus. For Barack Obama. My husband and I canvassed a mobile home in Ainesworth, IA on the Wednesday before the caucus. The youngest son who was 8 or 9 is a Sponge Bob fan and I told him that was Obama's favorite show, since he watches it with his daughters. They were undecided and not sure how it all worked, since they had never caucused. We brought up some Obama talking points and told them about being able to register as Democrats that night. We also joked that they could not blame bad weather for not showing up since they live 50 feet from the caucus site. On caucus night they walked in and I introduced them to the Obama precinct captain. She chatted with them, gave them a sticker, and they checked in. Afterwards they all came over to the OBAMA group and STAYED :)
Though I am not from this state, rural Iowa is the land of my father. It is like coming home.
Volunteering here means spending time in a town where I have a 70-year-young aunt and uncle, a cousin with a family of 6, and over in the next town is another aunt and uncle. My family is all Republican and, yes, I am a Republican. But this year I am the black sheep of the family, supporting a Democrat, and my senator, Barack Obama.
In a way they are supporting the effort - by housing and feeding me for a whole week. My husband and two small children have joined me out here on the trail. With family babysitting assistance my husband has hit the campaign trail with me. It is a first for both of us, being involved in a campaign, giving money, making phone calls...
Today I stopped by a local coffee shop. One of the patrons came over from where she lives, in a local nursing home. She says "Oh from the Obama campaign?" when she sees me walk in with my full winter gear; three layers of pants, three layers of shirts (last one on of course is an Obama sweatshirt), and my knit hat with an Obama button hanging right on my forehead -- I must be quite a sight!
We make small talk about the TV ads she saw last night and I share that I am a Republican. I learn that she is a lifelong Republican too! And this year, she will be going to her very first Democratic caucus. For Barack Obama.
My husband and I canvassed a mobile home in Ainesworth, IA on the Wednesday before the caucus. The youngest son who was 8 or 9 is a Sponge Bob fan and I told him that was Obama's favorite show, since he watches it with his daughters.
They were undecided and not sure how it all worked, since they had never caucused. We brought up some Obama talking points and told them about being able to register as Democrats that night. We also joked that they could not blame bad weather for not showing up since they live 50 feet from the caucus site.
On caucus night they walked in and I introduced them to the Obama precinct captain. She chatted with them, gave them a sticker, and they checked in. Afterwards they all came over to the OBAMA group and STAYED :)
False attacks to the contrary, women who are committed to Barack's candidacy can be confident that he is equally committed to our reproductive rights.
Days before the New Hampshire primary the Clinton campaign put out a piece of mail questioning Barack's record on choice in the Illinois state senate. Though leaders in the choice community have repeatedly asserted that he has been a loyal ally and partner in protecting women's health, the Clinton campaign continues with its spurious charges.
One Clinton supporter was so offended by the dishonesty of these attacks that she is now supporting Senator Obama. A mail piece explains her decision to withdraw her support.
Yesterday, leaders from Planned Parenthood in Illinois and grateful advocates from other states held a call with press to once again commend Barack's true record. Several news outlets covered the call: the Boston Globe, Time magazine's blog, and the Chicago Tribune, excerpted below.
The Swamp – Chicago Tribune By Mike DorningApparently sharing the conclusion of several analysts that Barack Obama was wounded in New Hampshire in part by direct-mail literature questioning his commitment to abortion rights, the Illinois senator’s presidential campaign launched a new effort shore up his abortion-rights bona fides with a conference call a few minutes ago.The literature against Obama has focused on a series of “present” votes Obama cast as a state legislator on controversial measures to restrict abortion rights. A present vote allows a legislator to avoid a public stand for or against a measure. The Clinton campaign and two pro-abortion rights groups supportive of her candidacy—EMILY’s List and National Organization for Women—have used those votes to question Obama’s commitment to abortion rights...Pam Sutherland, president and CEO of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, vouched again in the conference call that Obama’s present votes were made a the request of Illinois abortion-rights advocates.“It was our strategy from Planned Parenthood,” Sutherland said.“Sen. Obama was key to that present-vote strategy,” She continued. “He was always gong to be no votes on all of these bills. But we specifically asked him to vote present because he was so respected among his fellow Democrats that, if he did the present vote, they would follow suit. And that ended up being the case. They did follow suit. And not only did many of the Democrats follow suit. So did a couple of Republicans follow suit."“It actually worked, because the then-Senate President was no longer able to use these votes against candidates in their races,” Sutherland added.Jan Nicolay, co-chair of the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, also vouched for Obama’s pro-abortion-rights commitment, saying he was the only one of the presidential candidates to send money to aide with a ballot initiative to overturn a nearly complete ban on abortion that the South Dakota legislature passed.
The Swamp – Chicago Tribune
By Mike Dorning
Apparently sharing the conclusion of several analysts that Barack Obama was wounded in New Hampshire in part by direct-mail literature questioning his commitment to abortion rights, the Illinois senator’s presidential campaign launched a new effort shore up his abortion-rights bona fides with a conference call a few minutes ago.
The literature against Obama has focused on a series of “present” votes Obama cast as a state legislator on controversial measures to restrict abortion rights. A present vote allows a legislator to avoid a public stand for or against a measure. The Clinton campaign and two pro-abortion rights groups supportive of her candidacy—EMILY’s List and National Organization for Women—have used those votes to question Obama’s commitment to abortion rights...
Pam Sutherland, president and CEO of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, vouched again in the conference call that Obama’s present votes were made a the request of Illinois abortion-rights advocates.
“It was our strategy from Planned Parenthood,” Sutherland said.
“Sen. Obama was key to that present-vote strategy,” She continued. “He was always gong to be no votes on all of these bills. But we specifically asked him to vote present because he was so respected among his fellow Democrats that, if he did the present vote, they would follow suit. And that ended up being the case. They did follow suit. And not only did many of the Democrats follow suit. So did a couple of Republicans follow suit."
“It actually worked, because the then-Senate President was no longer able to use these votes against candidates in their races,” Sutherland added.
Jan Nicolay, co-chair of the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, also vouched for Obama’s pro-abortion-rights commitment, saying he was the only one of the presidential candidates to send money to aide with a ballot initiative to overturn a nearly complete ban on abortion that the South Dakota legislature passed.
Women have had strong and thoughtful reactions to an opinion piece in last week's New York Times making the "feminist" case for Senator Clinton's presidential campaign.
Since Barack launched his campaign we have heard from women - feminists - of all generations explaining why they believe a vote for Barack is a vote to improve the lives of all Americans, including women of all ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic groups.
Interesting posts on the topic on other sites include HERE and HERE. Please add your voice to the comments, on those sites or right here.
When the going gets tough we often get our best insight into who we are.
After Barack won the Iowa caucuses by 8 points, and started making gains on Clinton's double-digit lead in New Hampshire, the Clinton campaign went on the attack. They sent a piece of mail to New Hampshire women implying Barack could not be counted on to protect women's reproductive rights.
Barack has a 100% pro-choice voting record, and has utter respect for a woman's right to choose. The response in the pro-choice community from women who have worked with Barack to protect reproductive rights to the Clinton camp's amazing distortions was outrage and condemnation.
One woman, Lorna Brett, who worked with Barack on women's rights when she was the president of Chicago's National Organization for Women, was not just furious, she was heartbroken.
Lorna had been a Hillary supporter.
Now she supports Barack.
Lorna, who now sits on the board of a major pro-choice organization in New York, writes:
When to break off an engagement? When someone isn't being straight with you and others! I am no longer committed to Hillary Clinton. She broke my heart by not being honest about Barack Obama's commitment to protecting a woman's right to choose. I, a former Hillary supporter, am now supporting Barack and encouraging my friends to do so as well. If we are to have faith again in government we must expect more from the people we elect to office; we must hold them accountable. Not simply to the issues they've promised to fight for, but accountable to the truth. Yes, the truth does have a place in Washington. We must demand it or we fail as active citizens. Here is the truth: Barack Obama is unequivocally, 100 percent pro-choice. His votes in the Illinois senate were part of a legislative strategy devised for and by the pro-choice community. I know because I was the President of the Chicago chapter of NOW and he stood by the choice community and was one of our biggest champions. Since leaving the IL State Senate, Senator Obama's commitment has not wavered.He was the only U.S. Senator who helped the choice community raise money to defeat legislation passed in South Dakota that criminalized abortion. Many were asked to help, including Hillary Clinton. He was also the only presidential contender to speak out when abortion foes tried to prevent Planned Parenthood's newest clinic from opening this fall.He doesn't just talk about providing access to reproductive care for all women - he has a long record of doing something about it. Someone who isn't being straight with voters about a defender of choice cannot strengthen our movement. My broken heart will heal quickly - I am ready for a long-term commitment to Barack. Please pass this on to all your pro-choice friends who may have been misinformed, and urge them to vote for and contribute to Barack Obama.
When to break off an engagement? When someone isn't being straight with you and others!
I am no longer committed to Hillary Clinton. She broke my heart by not being honest about Barack Obama's commitment to protecting a woman's right to choose. I, a former Hillary supporter, am now supporting Barack and encouraging my friends to do so as well.
If we are to have faith again in government we must expect more from the people we elect to office; we must hold them accountable. Not simply to the issues they've promised to fight for, but accountable to the truth.
Yes, the truth does have a place in Washington. We must demand it or we fail as active citizens.
Here is the truth: Barack Obama is unequivocally, 100 percent pro-choice. His votes in the Illinois senate were part of a legislative strategy devised for and by the pro-choice community. I know because I was the President of the Chicago chapter of NOW and he stood by the choice community and was one of our biggest champions.
Since leaving the IL State Senate, Senator Obama's commitment has not wavered.
He was the only U.S. Senator who helped the choice community raise money to defeat legislation passed in South Dakota that criminalized abortion. Many were asked to help, including Hillary Clinton.
He was also the only presidential contender to speak out when abortion foes tried to prevent Planned Parenthood's newest clinic from opening this fall.
He doesn't just talk about providing access to reproductive care for all women - he has a long record of doing something about it.
Someone who isn't being straight with voters about a defender of choice cannot strengthen our movement.
My broken heart will heal quickly - I am ready for a long-term commitment to Barack.
Please pass this on to all your pro-choice friends who may have been misinformed, and urge them to vote for and contribute to Barack Obama.
Thursday night Barack supporters in Des Moines gathered to wait for results from the caucuses. The crowd grew over the evening, as people arrived from their caucus locations. As NBC called the night for Barack, cheers, tears, and general euphoria fill the room. "The world just changed" one woman said, in tears.
The crowd rolled in, jubilant, waiting to hear from Barack.
The speech he gave matched the significance of the evening. It was a glorious night.
Women on the ground in Iowa are doing all they can to boost Barack's support at the caucuses tomorrow night. Wendy shared with us the letter she has been handing out to supporters in her precinct (stapled to a bag of nuts).
WE all MUST BE NUTS!
To go out in the cold
To go out in the dark
To dodge the drifts
After all, what do small, rural townships like pilot, troy, and york matter?
Maybe we should ask the people around the world who wait in lines for days to vote, who die trying to force elections, who have one dictator to choose from.
Or the people in Georgia, South Dakota, and Arizona who wonder why Iowans get so much say. (They also wonder where Iowa is!)
We have a privilege here. We earn it by paying attention better than people in any other state. We earn it by listening to endless phone callers and reporters. We earn it because we believe that we get the government we deserve, and we don’t turn our voting rights over to someone else.
So, when we get home from work this Thursday with tired feet, when the kids are hollering, when chores are waiting, when we’re heading out to work third shift and need to sleep, we’d have to be nuts to go out to the caucus, right?
But, we do it anyway. We do it to celebrate the amazing privilege we have. And, because it’s interesting and fun. Most of all, we do it because this time, the entire world is watching Iowa, including iowa county: Will it be more of the same or will real Americans take America back?
Grace has worked at the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence since 1981; she now serves as its Executive Director. She says she has been interested in organizing for social change since high school, and her organizing work eventually led her to work on issues surrounding violence against women.
She has stuck with the work because she sees abuse and trauma across the lifespan as underlying many social problems; plus, she says, she gets to work with incredibly smart, fun, creative and dynamic women.
Grace is also a writer, a poet, and a mother to two adult children. She became interested in Barack's candidacy this summer, and, based on his continued attention to the issue of violence againt women, decided a month ago to do what she could to elect him.
For more on Barack's positions on violence against women check out an op ed and policy paper HERE, and his answers to a questionnaire below.
Grace writes:
Having spent my entire professional career working to end violence against women, I was looking for a candidate who understands the connection between abuse and trauma across the lifespan and basically every social issue facing this country – healthcare, addiction, poverty, education. The negative consequences that pile up in a life marked by violence have been documented over and over, including in the New Hampshire Violence Against Women Survey, which found that one in five women in New Hampshire have been sexually assaulted, and that women who had been assaulted were more likely to have poor health or a chronic health condition. Barack Obama understands these issues – I know because he and Michelle have called to talk to me about violence against women. And because Obama has a vision to change how we are governed, with compassion and justice contributing to his decision making, rather than greed and arrogance, I believe his Presidency could mark a fundamental shift in the social safety net that is so critical for our most vulnerable citizens, who are generally female and young and poor. And abused, because they all go together. Battered women and rape survivors need a President who understands that affordable housing, living wage jobs, healthcare, daycare and transportation are basics of a successful life, and the government has a role in shifting the balance of power in our country so that everyone really does have a fair chance. And those whose chances have been compromised will be taken care of. Obama has called for a White House level staff person assigned to oversee all government funding programs and efforts that address violence against women. As the Executive Director of a organization that manages multiple federal grants, I know well the need for more coordination of efforts at the federal level. These is a vast web of knowledge about how to best protect women and children, and challenge the remaining statutory and cultural underpinnings of men’s entitlement to control women, but that web is among the local programs and state coalitions and national organizations leading this work. That knowledge needs to exist within the federal government, so the limited funding for domestic and sexual violence services and programs can be spent as efficiently as possible. Barack Obama can make this happen. He’s the real thing – a decent man, driven to use his considerable talents and intellect as a call to service. He really does want to make our country a stronger, more compassionate and unified country. He’s not the same old, same old. So I’m voting for him in the Democratic primary on January 8, and urging everyone I know to join me.
Having spent my entire professional career working to end violence against women, I was looking for a candidate who understands the connection between abuse and trauma across the lifespan and basically every social issue facing this country – healthcare, addiction, poverty, education. The negative consequences that pile up in a life marked by violence have been documented over and over, including in the New Hampshire Violence Against Women Survey, which found that one in five women in New Hampshire have been sexually assaulted, and that women who had been assaulted were more likely to have poor health or a chronic health condition.
Barack Obama understands these issues – I know because he and Michelle have called to talk to me about violence against women. And because Obama has a vision to change how we are governed, with compassion and justice contributing to his decision making, rather than greed and arrogance, I believe his Presidency could mark a fundamental shift in the social safety net that is so critical for our most vulnerable citizens, who are generally female and young and poor. And abused, because they all go together.
Battered women and rape survivors need a President who understands that affordable housing, living wage jobs, healthcare, daycare and transportation are basics of a successful life, and the government has a role in shifting the balance of power in our country so that everyone really does have a fair chance. And those whose chances have been compromised will be taken care of.
Obama has called for a White House level staff person assigned to oversee all government funding programs and efforts that address violence against women. As the Executive Director of a organization that manages multiple federal grants, I know well the need for more coordination of efforts at the federal level. These is a vast web of knowledge about how to best protect women and children, and challenge the remaining statutory and cultural underpinnings of men’s entitlement to control women, but that web is among the local programs and state coalitions and national organizations leading this work. That knowledge needs to exist within the federal government, so the limited funding for domestic and sexual violence services and programs can be spent as efficiently as possible.
Barack Obama can make this happen. He’s the real thing – a decent man, driven to use his considerable talents and intellect as a call to service. He really does want to make our country a stronger, more compassionate and unified country. He’s not the same old, same old. So I’m voting for him in the Democratic primary on January 8, and urging everyone I know to join me.
Megan, an Obama supporter who traveled with her family to Iowa to canvass, sent us this report from the ground:
"This is our moment, this is our Time!"
Again tonight in Iowa, Barack Obama brought down the house. Roads barely plowed, well over five hundred people turned out at Ottumwa High School. It was the picture of Iowa: families, working people, some young people but most baby boomers and older. To the person they were on their feet as Barack made his closing argument promising" to work for you every single day. "
After three days of door knocking in Ottumwa, I actually knew quite a few of the people in the seats. At two thirty my husband and I had trudged through the snow to Joyce's home to get her signature on an Obama caucus participant form. She read Dreams From My Father after she saw his speech at the Democratic Convention in 2004 and claimed not to have washed her hand for a week after finally meeting him in 2006. Joyce was one of the first at the rally finding a good seat for herself and her friend Rosalie, one of the many uncommitted caucus goers here.
Clara and Grace are not old enough to even remember the whirlwind of parades, picnics and coffees they attended at the tender ages of five and two. After 8 years as Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, their father was running for Governor and all they know was that it was a lot of hurry and too much dressing up. His loss was their gain, as my daughter Clara (age five) put it, "We get Daddy back!"
In the years that have passed, we have watched their political understanding grow. Children of nine-eleven, global warming, and war, they are all too clear on how political leadership factors into their future. Little Grace handed out signs tonight and directed people to their seats, while Clara took photographs of the event.
The evening was a treat. Barack's one-hour stemwinder and the huge response from the crowd have us ready to face the days ahead. We will make more calls, knock on more doors and do all we can to give him this critical first step in attaining the Democratic nomination. A critical first step to making this our moment, our time.
Thousands of women gathered in Manchester, NH earlier this month for a rally with Barack and Oprah. Among them were Leyla, Kathy, and Kristen, three generations of support. Barack and Michelle say hello to the youngest generation
Devon writes us from Lynnwood, Washington:
I am a 23 year old wife and mother of a three year old. I have worked in the healthcare system since I graduated high school in 2002; first as a physical therapy assistant, and then in the billing office for two major hospitals in the Seattle area. I have not only witnessed other people struggle with the high costs of healthcare, but have been on the receiving end of medical bills I can't afford. I was fortunate enough to have a very good private school education, I come from a middle class family, I have an amazing adoption story and wonderful relationships with both my adopted and my birth families. Devon with her son I have been fortunate enough to find jobs that I love and that pay double minimum wage. Yet up until July of this year, I was stuck on welfare and state Medicaid. The moment I got pregnant with our son, I knew there was no way I could AFFORD being pregnant and delivering a baby. I realized that my medical insurance was just not enough to allow my husband and I to have a baby on our own. We were forced into the Medicaid system simply because we wanted the most natural of things: to have a baby. It took us over three years to finally get on our feet and off government assistance. We are not lazy people. We are not abusing the system to get a free ride. We are hard working people who believe in family, faith, and dedication. I know I am raising my son to be strong. To make good life decisions, and to be an honorable man. I do not want my son to grow up ashamed because his family has to rely on the state and federal governments in order to make ends meet. We are barely making it financially now, due to both my husband and myself having chronic conditions that require constant medication and medical care. However at this time, we make just a little too much every month to qualify for assistance. We both have healthcare through our jobs, yet we still can't afford our care at this time. How can someone WORK in the healthcare industry and still not afford their own healthcare costs?This is why my family strongly supports Barack Obama. He is a real person with real plans to help our country rebuild. He is not afraid to stand up for what is right, even when it's unpopular. He is not blind when it comes to how the greed of the pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies is crippling the American people. It's time someone stood up and said ENOUGH!!! So, Mr Obama, I want you to know that the L. family in Lynnwood, Washington is FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!!!!!
I am a 23 year old wife and mother of a three year old. I have worked in the healthcare system since I graduated high school in 2002; first as a physical therapy assistant, and then in the billing office for two major hospitals in the Seattle area.
I have not only witnessed other people struggle with the high costs of healthcare, but have been on the receiving end of medical bills I can't afford. I was fortunate enough to have a very good private school education, I come from a middle class family, I have an amazing adoption story and wonderful relationships with both my adopted and my birth families.
Devon with her son
I have been fortunate enough to find jobs that I love and that pay double minimum wage. Yet up until July of this year, I was stuck on welfare and state Medicaid.
The moment I got pregnant with our son, I knew there was no way I could AFFORD being pregnant and delivering a baby. I realized that my medical insurance was just not enough to allow my husband and I to have a baby on our own. We were forced into the Medicaid system simply because we wanted the most natural of things: to have a baby.
It took us over three years to finally get on our feet and off government assistance. We are not lazy people. We are not abusing the system to get a free ride. We are hard working people who believe in family, faith, and dedication.
I know I am raising my son to be strong. To make good life decisions, and to be an honorable man. I do not want my son to grow up ashamed because his family has to rely on the state and federal governments in order to make ends meet. We are barely making it financially now, due to both my husband and myself having chronic conditions that require constant medication and medical care.
However at this time, we make just a little too much every month to qualify for assistance. We both have healthcare through our jobs, yet we still can't afford our care at this time. How can someone WORK in the healthcare industry and still not afford their own healthcare costs?
This is why my family strongly supports Barack Obama. He is a real person with real plans to help our country rebuild. He is not afraid to stand up for what is right, even when it's unpopular. He is not blind when it comes to how the greed of the pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies is crippling the American people. It's time someone stood up and said ENOUGH!!!
So, Mr Obama, I want you to know that the L. family in Lynnwood, Washington is FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!!!!!
I met Kelley in the fall of 2005. Like Americans across the country, Kelley was horrified by what happened to people in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Kelley is not the type of person to just feel bad about something and not work to change it, so she sent an e-letter, a call to action, to thousands of her neighbors and launched a community-based effort to do something for the Katrina families that had been evacuated to our city.
Inspired by Kelley and with her guidance, a group of strangers became a close-knit organization that fundraised and partner-shipped its way to providing free housing and a support network for three displaced families for a full year.
Kelley is a compassionate, pragmatic woman who doesn’t let the busyness of raising four children, or the media’s tendency to numb us into complacency, keep her from acting on her convictions. So I was very happy, but not surprised, to learn that she is an enthusiastic Barack supporter.
This is how Kelley explains why she backs Barack:
Kelley with her family
As a woman, a wife, a daughter and a mother, I support Barack Obama for President because I think he is the only candidate who will improve the circumstances for all women. I have been a life-long feminist, but not in the narrow sense of the word. To be a feminist means not just wanting one kind of woman's life to improve, but wanting a better life for all women: rich or poor, black or white, young or old, healthy or sick, powerful or powerless. Barack Obama understands this in a way that the other candidates do not. He has an extraordinary ability to look at the whole picture, and the wisdom to chart the proper course that will improve the circumstances for all of us. I have spent my adult life working to improve the lives of those Americans who have been disenfranchised. I worked as a community organizer, a union organizer, a filmmaker, and a foundation director. I worked with "welfare mothers" who are just trying to be the best parents they can be. I worked with janitors working hard to make ends meet. I have interviewed people for films who are working to preserve our natural resources, to prevent the spread of AIDS, and to improve job options for women. As a funder, I have visited dozens of organizations working to end homelessness, to care for the sick, to improve education and to provide opportunities in the low-income community. The way to improve our country for ALL women is to look at the big picture. Women want health insurance and improved health care for their families. Women want a minimum wage that is a living wage. Women want their husbands, sons and brothers home from Iraq. Women want improved education for their children. Women want peace and fairness in the world. We need to stop bullying other nations and paving the way for corporate profit and start making friendships around the world and building community here at home. This is why I support Barack Obama.
As a woman, a wife, a daughter and a mother, I support Barack Obama for President because I think he is the only candidate who will improve the circumstances for all women.
I have been a life-long feminist, but not in the narrow sense of the word. To be a feminist means not just wanting one kind of woman's life to improve, but wanting a better life for all women: rich or poor, black or white, young or old, healthy or sick, powerful or powerless.
Barack Obama understands this in a way that the other candidates do not. He has an extraordinary ability to look at the whole picture, and the wisdom to chart the proper course that will improve the circumstances for all of us.
I have spent my adult life working to improve the lives of those Americans who have been disenfranchised. I worked as a community organizer, a union organizer, a filmmaker, and a foundation director. I worked with "welfare mothers" who are just trying to be the best parents they can be. I worked with janitors working hard to make ends meet. I have interviewed people for films who are working to preserve our natural resources, to prevent the spread of AIDS, and to improve job options for women. As a funder, I have visited dozens of organizations working to end homelessness, to care for the sick, to improve education and to provide opportunities in the low-income community.
The way to improve our country for ALL women is to look at the big picture. Women want health insurance and improved health care for their families. Women want a minimum wage that is a living wage. Women want their husbands, sons and brothers home from Iraq. Women want improved education for their children. Women want peace and fairness in the world.
We need to stop bullying other nations and paving the way for corporate profit and start making friendships around the world and building community here at home. This is why I support Barack Obama.
Rose wirtes from Rochester:
I am a retired educator and the daughter of Greek immigrants who revered the United States because of what it had allowed them to accomplish through hard work. They had the audacity to hope and dream and live with honesty and integrity, and they taught me to value these fundamental truths. Growing up, I would come home from school to find my father and mother dressed in their Sunday best, and when I asked where they were going, they simply and proudly would respond, "We go to vote." They never took for granted what this country had allowed them to achieve. I was born in Potsdam, NY, a vibrant college town where everyone knew my mom and dad because they owned The Vernon Restaurant, a place where families could gather and college kids could hang out. Our family was surrounded by Greek relatives and friends who lived and loved with gusto, but treated each other with caring and respect. Like my dad, many of the relatives had come through Ellis Island prepared to embrace this new country and forge a new life. And what did they want for their children? I never heard the words, "Make money." I never heard "Did you do your homework?" I did hear "Work hard, respect your teachers, and bring home all A's." My sister and I never questioned that mandate. Neither of my parents was schooled past the eighth grade, but they listened when I read my papers to them, nodding in approval and always cheering, "That was beautiful, darling." (In later years I realized they probably didn't understand everything I had written, but they were wise enough to know what praise can do for a child.) I attended Ithaca College, but left after two years to marry, live in Pennsylvania, and eventually raise a son and daughter. After eighteen years, single again, I realized I needed to complete my education in order to get a job. I sold my home and belongings, and trekked back home to enroll in The State University of New York at Potsdam. Talk about culture shock! I hadn't written a paper or taken an exam in eighteen years and I was enrolled as a junior! I was terrified, but determined to succeed. Guided by my parents' credo, I graduated with honors, and went on to get my master's degree in English education. I taught in four rural schools for a total of twenty-two years, teaching junior high and high school English and directing at least two or three shows a year. Teachers who love their work find great satisfaction watching the faces of their students light up when that special moment of understanding occurs. So many children are undervalued at home and in schools. I believe that Senator Obama understands that we, as educators, should not be afraid to raise the bar because if expectations are within a student's grasp, he or she will reach for it. Good teachers know how to think fearlessly "on their feet" so if something doesn't work, they know to try a different tactic. Utilize master teachers to mentor new teachers. Bring in community members, speakers, performers to enhance programs. Show parents you care about their kids by calling or visiting to tell them the good things their children have accomplished, no matter how small. Find something to praise. Use retired teachers who will give some time as volunteers on a one-to-one basis. Talk to book companies and negotiate for affordable materials. Send teachers who have been in the trenches to speak to state representatives with creative ideas that don't need to cost an arm and a leg. Allow kids to create projects using everything from technology to film. Encourage the bright students to assist the child who is having difficulty. They both will benefit. Have exchange programs between schools so that kids can see what positive things other kids are doing. Hire administrators with vision, and who reward excellence. I loved teaching, and even with the long hours, piles of paperwork, and late nights, each day had its bright moments and I couldn't wait to get to work. An Obama administration would place a high priority on the kind of educational system that gets kids excited, and allows real learning, not just teaching to standardized tests! I moved to Rochester, NY over a year ago to be closer to my daughter. I've never really been involved with politics, but I feel the time is now for the average citizen to speak out. So...I talk...to my friends, my hairdresser, my neighbors, and my family. I have finished Senator Obama's book Dreams From My Father and am deep into The Audacity of Hope. After reading the literature and listening to him speak, I feel the Senator possesses not only intelligence, but the common sense and inspirational voice to lead this nation. Senator Obama's instincts for what is right for all people, here or abroad, make him the candidate that I will support.
I am a retired educator and the daughter of Greek immigrants who revered the United States because of what it had allowed them to accomplish through hard work. They had the audacity to hope and dream and live with honesty and integrity, and they taught me to value these fundamental truths.
Growing up, I would come home from school to find my father and mother dressed in their Sunday best, and when I asked where they were going, they simply and proudly would respond, "We go to vote." They never took for granted what this country had allowed them to achieve.
I was born in Potsdam, NY, a vibrant college town where everyone knew my mom and dad because they owned The Vernon Restaurant, a place where families could gather and college kids could hang out.
Our family was surrounded by Greek relatives and friends who lived and loved with gusto, but treated each other with caring and respect.
Like my dad, many of the relatives had come through Ellis Island prepared to embrace this new country and forge a new life. And what did they want for their children? I never heard the words, "Make money." I never heard "Did you do your homework?" I did hear "Work hard, respect your teachers, and bring home all A's." My sister and I never questioned that mandate.
Neither of my parents was schooled past the eighth grade, but they listened when I read my papers to them, nodding in approval and always cheering, "That was beautiful, darling." (In later years I realized they probably didn't understand everything I had written, but they were wise enough to know what praise can do for a child.)
I attended Ithaca College, but left after two years to marry, live in Pennsylvania, and eventually raise a son and daughter. After eighteen years, single again, I realized I needed to complete my education in order to get a job. I sold my home and belongings, and trekked back home to enroll in The State University of New York at Potsdam. Talk about culture shock! I hadn't written a paper or taken an exam in eighteen years and I was enrolled as a junior! I was terrified, but determined to succeed.
Guided by my parents' credo, I graduated with honors, and went on to get my master's degree in English education. I taught in four rural schools for a total of twenty-two years, teaching junior high and high school English and directing at least two or three shows a year.
Teachers who love their work find great satisfaction watching the faces of their students light up when that special moment of understanding occurs. So many children are undervalued at home and in schools. I believe that Senator Obama understands that we, as educators, should not be afraid to raise the bar because if expectations are within a student's grasp, he or she will reach for it.
Good teachers know how to think fearlessly "on their feet" so if something doesn't work, they know to try a different tactic. Utilize master teachers to mentor new teachers. Bring in community members, speakers, performers to enhance programs. Show parents you care about their kids by calling or visiting to tell them the good things their children have accomplished, no matter how small. Find something to praise. Use retired teachers who will give some time as volunteers on a one-to-one basis.
Talk to book companies and negotiate for affordable materials. Send teachers who have been in the trenches to speak to state representatives with creative ideas that don't need to cost an arm and a leg. Allow kids to create projects using everything from technology to film. Encourage the bright students to assist the child who is having difficulty. They both will benefit. Have exchange programs between schools so that kids can see what positive things other kids are doing. Hire administrators with vision, and who reward excellence.
I loved teaching, and even with the long hours, piles of paperwork, and late nights, each day had its bright moments and I couldn't wait to get to work. An Obama administration would place a high priority on the kind of educational system that gets kids excited, and allows real learning, not just teaching to standardized tests!
I moved to Rochester, NY over a year ago to be closer to my daughter. I've never really been involved with politics, but I feel the time is now for the average citizen to speak out. So...I talk...to my friends, my hairdresser, my neighbors, and my family.
I have finished Senator Obama's book Dreams From My Father and am deep into The Audacity of Hope. After reading the literature and listening to him speak, I feel the Senator possesses not only intelligence, but the common sense and inspirational voice to lead this nation. Senator Obama's instincts for what is right for all people, here or abroad, make him the candidate that I will support.
Deb, Grainne and Jeri first met the way a lot of mothers do: their daughters were friends in high school. Those daughters have since gone on to college, but the three women bumped into eachother again at Obama for America events.
Jeri is a professional calligrapher, who free lances from her home. Deb teaches at the University of Iowa, where Grainne is an attorney. Here's how they explain their strong support for Barack:
For three women like us—politically active baby boomers with three college-student daughters--you'd think our choice for the Democratic presidential nomination would be obvious. After all, we've waited forever for a woman to run and each of us has a lot in common with the woman who's running--we've all managed to get where we wanted to go, married men who support our ambitions, and raised smart, strong daughters to have the same unlimited expectations. As it turns out, though, the obvious choice for us is not Hillary Clinton--it's Barack Obama. And what do you know? Our daughters agree with their mothers on something: they will also support Senator Obama, in what for them will be their first caucus experience. Don't get us wrong. We're proud that a woman is running for president and grateful for the changes in our society that have made her candidacy possible. It would mean a lot to us to be able to support that candidacy and each of us has struggled with this decision. But we have joined with a growing number of Iowa women--of our own generation and others--who have looked past sisterhood to what really matters in this election. What really matters is that we nominate a candidate who can move our country beyond the divisiveness and polarization that has characterized our public life since the 60s and can lead us forward as a united country. We need a candidate who stands with us rather than with those whose money and power speak for them. We need a candidate who not only appreciates the diversity of the world, but who intuitively understands it, who is born of and able to speak from that very diversity. We need a candidate who looks to restore this country by moving us into the world as it is rather than the world as it was. We need a candidate who is willing to admit his or her mistakes and to acknowledge his or her humanity, and a candidate who values moral clarity over political expediency. We need, most desperately, a candidate who has the judgment and conviction to say and do what is right from the beginning. That candidate is clearly--and uniquely--Barack Obama. Raised by an open-minded and open-hearted single mother, he has demonstrated a relentless commitment to women and their issues. Raised in this country and in the larger world, he is the bridge we need to heal the divisions within our borders and to repair our relationships abroad. So yes, there is an obvious choice for women like us on caucus night, and it's not limited by sisterhood. We hope for, and will caucus for, something much more.
For three women like us—politically active baby boomers with three college-student daughters--you'd think our choice for the Democratic presidential nomination would be obvious. After all, we've waited forever for a woman to run and each of us has a lot in common with the woman who's running--we've all managed to get where we wanted to go, married men who support our ambitions, and raised smart, strong daughters to have the same unlimited expectations.
As it turns out, though, the obvious choice for us is not Hillary Clinton--it's Barack Obama. And what do you know? Our daughters agree with their mothers on something: they will also support Senator Obama, in what for them will be their first caucus experience.
Don't get us wrong. We're proud that a woman is running for president and grateful for the changes in our society that have made her candidacy possible. It would mean a lot to us to be able to support that candidacy and each of us has struggled with this decision. But we have joined with a growing number of Iowa women--of our own generation and others--who have looked past sisterhood to what really matters in this election.
What really matters is that we nominate a candidate who can move our country beyond the divisiveness and polarization that has characterized our public life since the 60s and can lead us forward as a united country. We need a candidate who stands with us rather than with those whose money and power speak for them. We need a candidate who not only appreciates the diversity of the world, but who intuitively understands it, who is born of and able to speak from that very diversity.
We need a candidate who looks to restore this country by moving us into the world as it is rather than the world as it was. We need a candidate who is willing to admit his or her mistakes and to acknowledge his or her humanity, and a candidate who values moral clarity over political expediency. We need, most desperately, a candidate who has the judgment and conviction to say and do what is right from the beginning.
That candidate is clearly--and uniquely--Barack Obama.
Raised by an open-minded and open-hearted single mother, he has demonstrated a relentless commitment to women and their issues. Raised in this country and in the larger world, he is the bridge we need to heal the divisions within our borders and to repair our relationships abroad.
So yes, there is an obvious choice for women like us on caucus night, and it's not limited by sisterhood. We hope for, and will caucus for, something much more.
