WELCOME

After 28 years of service in Arlington County’s local government, first on the School Board and then the County Board, I have stepped into a new role and life chapter: Private Citizen. My career has equipped me with extensive experience, valuable connections, and an unwavering passion for fostering good local government in Arlington and in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) region, an area I call home.

August 5 Blog: Trojan Horses, the Golden Rule & Getting Ready

Dear Friends:

As we enjoy this Labor Day weekend, does the song “9 to 5” keep playing in your head? I think sometimes we forget what our American holidays are all about except for an extra day off.

Link to song:

The passing of both Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem at this particular fraught time feels very significant. At first glance, they seem like opposites: hair, make-up, urban vs rural. But, in very different ways, they each lived their beliefs that all people “are created equal:” Dolly through songs, entertainment and her many charitable donations to lift people up, including giving money to develop a Covid vaccine; and Gloria through her journalism (co-founder of MS. Magazine) and social activism: anti-war, feminism and Black Power. The January 1987 cover of Ms. Magazine featured Parton alongside eleven other honorees, with Steinem herself penning the tribute that argued Parton’s life was feminist in every way that mattered.

It’s hard to understand how different the world was for women if you did not grow before 1970 as I and many of my readers did. Dolly and Gloria upended assumptions of what women could do and be, and of what people could do and be even coming from a world of poverty. For women of my generation they helped open possibilities that most of us couldn’t imagine growing up. Neither focused on money or success in the usual sense. Each focused in her own way on making the world a better place for everyone no matter their race by lifting up those who were not white men but had so much to offer the world if they could realize their potential. We have all, men and women, benefited by their work to bring the 50% of our population which is female into full personhood and able to contribute fully to our nation. Our nation is much stronger for their work.

But, they have left us on the eve of a major battle to protect that progress. Their torches have passed…to all of us. We have a big job to do in the next several months.

And the work is happening. I am seeing 18 months of preparation by hundreds of groups across the country turn to implementation. It’s exciting. I was privileged to be in Richmond for a summit of Indivisible group leaders in Virginia last weekend. I’ve met a number of famous people in my career, but spending time with Leah Greenburg cofounder of Indivisible was a real thrill. We all came away energized to do what needs to be done.

First, we need to turn out an overwhelming tsunami of early voting. Our major enemy right now is not so much the fascist regime in power in our government, but nihilistic cynicism and apathy among the rest of us. The fascists want us to think we are weak and give up. Dolly and Gloria were never about nihilism and apathy. Each showed what one person can do when they lift up others. I know my readers will vote, but that is not enough for this moment. I hope my readers will share this information about how to easily check your voting registration in every state with family and friends everywhere. And then tell them how important early voting is. Have an early

voting party for a few, or many, friends and neighbors. Make the “price” of admission an “I VOTED” sticker. A huge early vote makes it much harder for fascists to disrupt voting. The regime’s effort to prevent early voting is ongoing, but no matter how it turns out, if you get a mail-in ballot, try to drop it off rather than mail it in.

Second, we need to continue to build community and combat ICE cruelty as much as we can. There are many church and non-profit groups doing this work. Today I’ll highlight the Arlington Food Security Coalition which offers many ways to help those needing help getting sufficient food. With the current economy, that includes many people who are not immigrants. They are doing important community work.

Third, immediately after the election we likely will need to counter the regime’s attempt to deny us our election victories. Here are 4 ways to do that. (1) A huge early vote will help our defense, but we may also need to create the largest and most sustained (2) mass peaceful demonstrations ever seen. And do it across the country. Start thinking now about what you can and will do. Watch the (3) Indivisible training “Hands off our Vote.” See if some friends would go with you to a demonstration downtown or here in Arlington. (4) Join a bridge brigade now to remind people to vote early….and become part of a group that can turn out on the bridge or somewhere else if it’s needed. Find your frog and unicorn costumes.

We have the privilege of living in a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. Don’t miss out on being part of it. Meanwhile, stay positive like Dolly and Gloria. There are lots of clips on line since Dolly’s death. This is my favorite at the moment, “I Love Everyday People:”