July Webinar: Best Practices in Field Organizing
If you missed this month's webinar presentation Best Practices in Field Organizing by Sarah Baker of NOI's Candidate Project and Pilar Weiss of New Organizing Institute, you can view the pdf presentation here! Read More
First Responders
From my personal experience, I find that when something needs to get done, women immediately respond by asking, “What can I do to help out?” We do not sit back and wait, we are already there. More often than not, women leaders strive for honest and open dialogue and consensus building. We seek common ground, shoot straight from the hip and are not afraid to have the difficult conversations that lead to informed decision making. Read More
No Time Like the Present
March provided an opportunity for critical reflection on gender inequality and issues affecting women. It was a true study in contradiction. March, as Women’s History Month, was a chance to celebrate the many fierce, female personas who refused to accept the hand they were dealt, refused to stay silent, when their voices needed to ring out for themselves and for others. My 10-year old daughter did a school report on Mae Jemison , the first female, African-American astronaut. Read More
Yes We Can, and Yes We Will
Some of us have been told “you are a woman, you can’t run for office.” Others might be more familiar with “you have a big heart; you are no good in the political game.” While others might have heard “you are too young, and you are a woman. You lack experience; you are too emotional.” Whatever it might be, I am here to tell you, that women CAN run for office, we WILL run for office, and we can WIN! Through the Emerge program I have learned a great deal about what it takes to be a good candidate. It is about the lay of the land; your strategy; DATA. Read More
We Must Be Heard
Recently, the local women’s Democratic club I serve on completed its endorsement interviews for the upcoming primary elections. In the 16 races we considered for endorsement, there are only five women running, comprising just 25 percent of the Democrats running for office in Santa Clara County, continuing a troubling decline of female candidates locally. The county Board of Supervisors loses its only woman to term limits this year and her successor will most likely be a man. Read More
Sisterhood
We are halfway through our Emerge training here in Massachusetts and I have to confess, it’s what is not taught in the curriculum that has impacted me most. I don’t remember any of our trainers directly speaking to this issue. Nowhere is it clearly defined on the website, and I am absolutely positive we don’t have any handouts on how it works. Read More
Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves
I’m a child of the 70’s. As a young girl, I knew I could do anything the boys could do. That feeling has grown stronger over the years and I’m continuously inspired by my Emerge sisters. Our sisterhood is strong and powerful. Before, during and after every session, I feel more confident and powerful because of my Emerge sisters and the strength we give each other. To quote Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves”. Read More
Baughman, Bhutto, and Me
Thank you, Duane Baughman for changing my life. Sounds hyperbolic, but I mean it. Our short interaction was inspiring and I’ll carry that forward with me here. Your documentary film, “Bhutto” has given me an urgency and fearlessness that fuels my drive onward. I’ve always been politically active. I’ve always been an engaged voter. I’ve always worked on campaigns. But, up until that moment, I was content to be part of the chorus; never raising my voice singularly on an issue. Up until that moment, I was a behind-the-scenes person. I never wanted to be the person to step out on the ledge and take the risk. Read More
TWO STEPS FORWARD NO STEPS BACK!
As I reflect on this past Black History Month and get ready to celebrate Women's History Month, I am so proud to be part of the Emerge California 2012 Class. We are 24 women already doing amazing things in our communities and 45.8% of us are African-American, the highest in Emerge California's 10 year history! Read More
The Politics of Pushing up People (Rather than Eating Our Own) by Stephanie Coxe
I sat down to lunch recently with another woman involved in local politics. Not too long ago we’d been adversaries in a hard fought primary campaign and the experience strained our relationship. Truth be told, I repeated some less than flattering words that had been spoken about her. Caught up in the stressful and zealous whirlwind of the campaign, my ideals of the Democratic sisterhood flew out the window when the heat was on and, frankly, I was ashamed of my behavior. Read More