Activistas

The Difference of Generations

This political season I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference of generations.  Women my mother and grandmothers’ ages, whether they are fans of Hillary Clinton personally or not, understand the significance of this race differently than I do.  I understand how amazing it is that she was the first woman, and Barack Obama the first African-American, to run for President.  It’s so great that this is the political landscape for Democrats this year: history-making, significant. 

And while I understand the importance, it was not enough to base my decision on.  Because of the historic nature of the race, I would not have supported anyone except the two of them, I knew that much.   But in deciding to support Obama, I did not feel the huge sense of betrayal my mother felt in doing the same.  I didn’t feel like this was a betrayal to feminism, or that this would be the last time I would see a woman vying for the office in my lifetime.

Even in my life, women have made major steps towards equality, but none so large as the strides that were made before me. Because of them, I have been fortunate to grow up in a time when women having choices about careers, marriage, and having children is not revolutionary.  It is just the way it is.  I truly honor everything they sacrificed and fought for so that my experience of life as a woman could be different.

Thank You, Hillary. Now Let's Eat.

No hiding that I'm an Obamamama.  But I am so very grateful for what Hillary did to advance women in politics - and in general.  A recent Op-Ed in the NYT says it so well:

Nobody is ever again going to question whether it’s possible for a woman to go toe-to-toe with the toughest male candidate in a race for president of the United States. Or whether a woman could be strong enough to serve as commander in chief.

[Clinton's] campaign didn’t resolve whether a woman who seems tough enough to run the military can also seem likable enough to get elected. But she helped pave the way. So many battles against prejudice are won when people get used to seeing women and minorities in roles that only white men had held before. By the end of those 54 primaries and caucuses, Hillary had made a woman running for president seem normal.

Clinton as V-P? That is the Question.

And oh what a question!  Waddya think, mamas?  Me, no way.  But that's just me.  She's open to it, of course, as we see in today's NYT article, Next on Agenda Is Clinton's Role:

Mrs. Clinton used her final hours of the long primary season to make clear that she would be open to being Mr. Obama’s running mate. If there was ever any hope in Democratic circles that she would let Mr. Obama off the hook with an evasion or a flat declaration of no interest, Mrs. Clinton dashed it on Tuesday.

But if she's not his running mate, what's a guy to do about winning the hearts and minds of her supporters? 

Election Night Parties: Are you going?

First of all: don't forget to vote.  By tomorrow, May 20th.  Some ballot-drops will accept ballots until 8pm, but some drops are only accepting until 6pm.  All branch libraries are accepting ballots.  Check the complete list of ballot drop locations.

So, anyway, it occurs to me that folks with be gathering to watch results role in, especially for our local races.  Are you going to any of the campaign's election night gatherings?  I know, I know - a Tuesday night can be a tough time to get out, but - with our recent spring with several face-to-face conversations with many candidates - I feel that our city officials are closer than ever before.  Why not just drop by one of their gatherings, perhaps to or fro evening errands?  Why not drop by with the family and remind the candidates that they stand for us, the families of Portland?  Here's just a sampling of the action going on, and notice that all the venues are family friendly!

Commissioner 1:

• Jeff Bissonette, Carboni's Pizza and Pasta, 3529 NE MLK
• John Branam?
• Amanda Frtiz, Ecotrust Building 721 NW 9th Avenue
• Charles Lewis, HQ 8 NE Kilingsworth
• Chris Smith, Cafe Reese, NW 23rd & Marshall

Commissioner 2:

• Nick Fish, McMennamins Kennedy School
• Jim Middaugh, Lucky Lab on SE Hawthorne

Mayor:

• Sam Adams, Doug Fir, 800 E Burnside
• Sho Dozono, Los Baez, 2424 E Burnside

Pdx City Council Seat 1: Chatting with Amanda Fritz

We were thrilled to sit down over coffee with Amanda Fritz late this week.  We had decided to meet only with those candidates who contacted us, since there's only so much time in the day, and, well, so. many. candidates.   Amanda responded to our recent discussion about having a woman on the city council.  And so we met.  And we're glad we did, because she is one dedicated, informed (mom!) candidate -- in 200 words or less - why Portland families should vote for her to fill Sam Adams' vacant seat.   She wrote:

Parents view the world differently.  We care about schools, sidewalks, bike lanes, and parks.  And equity between neighborhoods, not just because that is fair, but because the school we choose for our children may not be in our home part of the city.  I have been active in Portland neighborhoods for 17 years.  Affordable housing, great neighborhood schools, and family wage jobs are interdependent.  I have plans that support all three.

 

Mothers view Portland differently (example: My kids | Amanda Fritz for City Council).  I remember nursing in the car, on a lunch break not long enough to feed both baby and me.  I will work to provide affordable, quality child-care as an economic development tool.  I want safe, convenient bus service for children, workers, and seniors.

 

More than half the people in Portland look at our all white, all male City Council, and don't see a role model or leader looking like them.  If you need a tie-breaker between good candidates, please consider that.  I'm asking for your vote because I think as a parent, I seek partnerships as a woman, I've learned about life in Portland as a working mother.  I've paid my dues serving Portland. I am the most qualified candidate.  See Community Service | Amanda Fritz for City Council.

Too Late to Mail it, Mamas!

Yeah, it's called vote by mail, but if you're like me and always wait till the very last moment, it's really a vote-by-dropoff system.  Andrea is one of those last-minute voters, so she's headed to the drop box, not the mail box.  She writes:

Just finished my ballot.  Definitely feeling satisfied after months of thinking and reading and weighing.  Unfortunately for me, and any of you still waiting to turn yours in, it is now too late to mail our ballots.  Ballots have to be in the county elections office by 8 PM this Tuesday, the famed May 20th. It doesn't matter when it's post-marked by, so if you want that ballot you've been toiling over to count, you have to make sure it gets to a valid drop-box before 8 PM on 5/20. 

Where's the Ceremony in it All, Already?  The vote-by-mail process is great for many reasons.  It seems to increase voter turnout, doesn't require you to take time off work to vote, can be done easily by those who can't get to a polling station, and gives you plenty of time to research ballot options.  The only disadvantage, in my mind, is that it kind of lacks ceremony.  I've lived in places where you went to the local school, closed yourself in the booth, and had your way with the ballot.  It didn't matter how many times I did it, it was still just as exciting every time.  I looked forward to sharing that experience with my kids, engaging them in the political process early.

Do You Bring the Kids Along?  This year, we're driving our ballots to the local library to turn them in.  We'll probably let the kids drop it in the box.  It's not much, but it feels a little more ceremonious.  What do you do?  Any voting rituals?  How do you involve the kids when you don't have a specific "election day" or any levers to pull?

Obama @ Waterfront Park 5.18 ~ See You There?

It might be hot, but I'm gonna be there.  I just love being so important in all this - way out here in Oregon.  Plus, my 2-year-old got to hear him back in April when he spoke at the Coliseum, so it's only fair that my 5-year-old get his chance, right?  Andrea, a fellow Activistas and devout Obamamama, sent us this reminder:

I had the privilege of seeing Obama speak at the Coliseum a few months back.  You know, when he got that important endorsement from Bill Richardson.  It was great, but it left me wanting to see more of him.  I mean, as far as I'm concerned, you can never have enough Obama.  If you're like me, or if you missed him last time, you're in luck!  He's having an event Sunday, 5.18 that is open to us all.  Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged.  Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so get there early and bring your water and sunscreen!

Where: The Bowl @ Waterfront Park.  The Bowl?  Who knew it had a name!?  It's the huge grassy area at the corner of SW Columbia St. and SW Naito Pkwy (a wee bit south of the Hawthorne Bridge), where all the geese hang out.

When: Doors open at 12:30 pm

Special Guest Performance by: Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen.

Should be inspiring, and a positive political experience for my 5-year-old son.  His friend (also 5) said to him today over banana muffins and fruit: 'There's no way Hillary's gonna win.'  He was so pleased to be able to say: 'Yeah, Obama's going to be such a great President.'  Can't you just hear it? 

Pdx City Council Seat 2: Jim & Nick In Their Own Words

By now you're familiar with this routine, mamas.  Last week we shared statements from the Seat 1 candidates we met with, so it only makes sense that next comes Seat 2.  We asked them to tell us in 200 words or less why we family voters should pick them to work for families while in office. So. Who is the family friendliest of them all - Nick?  or Jim?  Read on, pick well, and feel free to share your opinions with us.  Here's their take:

Nick Fish: I am running to bring a new voice to City Hall.  As City Commissioner, I will advocate for our kids and schools. For me, this issue is very personal: My daughter is a 9^th grader in Portland Public Schools, and my wife teaches history at Portland State University.  As a resident of Northeast Portland, I understand that strong schools anchor our neighborhoods, maintain our quality of life, and attract the businesses we need to make this city thrive. I will fight for stable and adequate funding for our schools; work to reduce the dropout rate; champion school- to-work partnerships; and expand the supply of housing affordable to young families.

Building on my work with the Portland Public Schools Childcare Task Force, I will champion the renewal of the Children’s Investment Fund, and will partner with nonprofits to expand the supply of affordable child care in our community. I am proud to be the only candidate in this race endorsed by both the Portland Association of Teachers and Stand for Children, as well as The Oregonian, Willamette Week, The Portland Tribune, Just Out, El Hispanic News, The Skanner and The PSU Vanguard. I ask for your vote on May 20. 

Jim Middaugh: Experience, creativity and energy make me the clear choice.  My record of delivering for Portland and my work ethic is why I gathered 1,700 signatures and $5 contributions in 10 days to qualify for Portland's Voter-Owned Elections.  I know how to get things done.  I helped create a $1 million grant program to help parents, teachers and students.  I saved taxpayers $1 million by working across departments to improve effectiveness of city projects.  I pushed the Planning Bureau to incorporate childcare, schools, community centers and family housing in its work in the Pearl.  I will do the same with the Portland Plan. I've personally helped Portlanders with crime, sewer, road safety, and housing problems.  I brought federal, state, and local agencies together to overcome roadblocks that slowed projects to clean up our rivers and streams.

I’m not a well-connected downtown lawyer. I haven’t spent six years running for office. Because I’m voter-owned I’m not beholden to special interests or lobbyists. Instead, I’ve made a difference where it counts: our neighborhoods, our schools and at the grassroots.  Finally, I’m the parent of two wonderful girls. I know how important a family- and kid-friendly city is to our economy and future.

Final Women Standing for Hillary Phone Bank ~ Wednesday 5.14.08

This just in from Tess Fields, a tireless Hillary supporter and Portland mama:

I joined this race because I wanted to be able to look my 2 year old daughter in the eye when she is grown and tell her I did everything I could to slam my fist through the glass ceiling and elect the first woman President. 

      

We have 7 days left to vote in this historic election and as we all know, there is nothing that could turn this election on it's side faster than a bunch of angry, fired up women. They say we are through, they say we have no chance, they say we are wasting our time.  But as we know better than anyone, women's battles have never been won easily, or with the help and support of the media. Our success has been in our resilience and determination to fight for ourselves, our children, and a better world.

Phone Bank with Tess on Wednesday from 6 to 9 PM.  Help her reach her goal of 100 women on the phones in Portland (@ 32 NW 5th Ave) and 50 in Beaverton (@ 12470 SW 1st Street, Suite 200B).  Help her reach out to as many women as you can, by going through your rolodex, calling your friends, phoning together.  Gonna be there?  E-mail Tess and let her know which office you're heading for. 

Listen to Hillary & Obama Talk With Moms Rising in '06

We shared Obama's 2006 talk with Moms Rising a few months back.  Well, turns out Hillary talked at the very same event.  Good chance to see them both talk about our issues  - long before the campaign.  Worth a look if you have a few minutes to listen.  Here's Hillary.  And Obama.  Pretty feel good - any notable differences?