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Unity: What Political Candidacy Means to Me

liza — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:42:42 -0500

I have been coming to this place of political candidacy for a very long time. I grew up in a family where public service, political participation and contribution to the political process were paramount and almost mandatory. I grew up in Latin America/Caribbean where participation in the political process could for a segment of our society be the difference between life and death, between eating and starvation. We believed in the process. We believed in participating in order to effect change and make a difference in the lives of ourselves, our families and our communities. As children we were well versed in the politics of nations outside our borders. Names such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Shirley Chisholm, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Anwar Sadat were regularly uttered in our home, so even as children we were aware of if not well versed in the politics of the United States and other nations. As such, my parents were very clear that if they were Americans they would indeed be members of the Democratic Party. I have inherited this legacy.

Both of my parents were public servants who were staunch progressives and took part at various levels in our national politics. When my family immigrated to the United States, to New York City, my mother joined the Democratic Party and immediately began participating in the politics of the time. Growing up in such a politically active family, there was no doubt that one day I would come to the place of serving my community and my new country in this manner. To this end I began preparing myself for this eventuality. I became engrossed in the politics of my community by volunteering for political campaigns at various levels. I walked precincts with my mother to get out the vote and to encourage our community members to register to vote and to explain to them the importance of being involved. We worked the polls on election days for many years in New York City with a passion that reflected the commitment that we had to our various candidates.

When I relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area my commitment did not wane. I dedicated myself to learning the Bay Area Democratic political landscape and got out to meet the various players. The landscape is as diverse as its people so in the beginning it was somewhat complicated. I wanted to be sure that I understood the needs of the communities of which I was a member. From Berkeley to Albany and finally to Richmond, California where commitments to causes and candidates differ from one city to the next regardless of the very close distance between these cities, I learned the needs of the various constituencies. It is a study in multiculturalism and the challenge of balancing the needs of all these groups.

What I have come to learn in my many years of participating in and learning the political processes of both east and west coasts is that regardless of the differences in culture, social class, race, religion or sexual orientation, just about every individual seeks the same outcomes: safe communities for their families, good schools, safe drinking water, clean parks and a feeling that they are heard by those who represent them. The varied constituents may go about asking for these needs to be fulfilled in different ways, but when all is said and done and my analysis is complete, I come to the same conclusion: it is most important to work toward a common good and seek unity within our communities. I have made this the theme of much of what I seek to accomplish in my work toward achieving my goal of holding political office. It is far better to unify than to divide. Therefore in working to address the needs of a community, it is the message that I would like to impart and it is the message that I seek from those within the political arena that I support.

Observing the international political landscape, I can only conclude that given the multitude of wars raging on various fronts around the globe, disunity is a central theme and it is one that I seek to address as I go forth in my political career and hope that it is one that can be achieved in my lifetime.

Sharron SK Williams
Emerge California
Class of 2012

I Carried a Box

liza — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:26:00 -0500

It seems like such a strange statement to use to describe a defining moment in your life, and yet for me, that's exactly what it is.

My initial reaction to the honor of carrying a box of recall petitions into the Government Accountability Board on January 17th was pure excitement. I couldn't wait to turn in the signatures we had all worked so hard to collect.

That feeling of exhilaration continued throughout that evening as we celebrated the victory of over 1 million signatures collected. We laughed as we hugged and congratulated each other on a job well done.

But now that the parties are over, I find myself quite reflective as my thoughts keep wandering to the experience of carrying that box.

I think about walking down that corridor of people who were holding hands with each other so our path to the GAB was clear of obstacles. As I walked down that path, I caught glimpses of the faces of people I had met in the last 11 months of my life. I had never met them before February 11th, but I was now connected to them for the rest of my life. They yelled "Thank YOU" as I passed by, but all I kept thinking was "Thank YOU for helping me find my way."

I think about the people whose signatures I carried into the GAB. Even though I don't know their names, or their stories, I feel connected to them forever. I carried their hopes, their dreams, their struggles, and their fears. What will happen to them after these boxes are opened, and their signatures are counted? What will it take to get their lives back on track and what else can I do to help make that happen?

I think about the sacrifices that were made to collect the signatures I carried. How many broken friendships and severed family ties are inside? And what did the volunteers have to give up in order to successfully circulate each of these petitions?

When I was first selected for this task, I thought I was just carrying a box. Now I know I was carrying the future of a state currently entrenched in its own cold war. I was told the box would be heavy. Little did I know how heavy it would really be.

I carried a box.

Tanya Lohr
Emerge Wisconsin
Class of 2012

Tanya Lohr is a teacher and union member. She is also a member of the Emerge Wisconsin Class of 2012. She was first introduced to Emerge while she was in the midst of organizing the efforts to recall Republican Senator Glenn Grothman.

Brimming with Excitement

liza — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:04:44 -0500

For so many reasons, 2012 looks to be a year filled with excitement, possibilities, and great potential for myself and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Having just completed my Emerge Massachusetts new member orientation, I am looking forward to our classes, to getting to know my classmates better, and to using what I learn to hopefully better my community. During our orientation, we each learned so much about each other already and I am honored to have been selected to learn and work alongside such inspiring women.

Some of my classmates have already run for local office and have lost and are ready to do it again. Some women have won an election and are ready to seek re-election or higher office. Some women have worked on numerous campaigns and are ready to enter themselves. Despite our diversity, our common denominator is that we are passionate about changing the leadership and ready to add our voice.

From just the orientation, I am further encouraged by their motivation and determination to run for higher office. During the weeks ahead, we will be covering such topics as the nuts and bolts of campaigning, fundraising, and public speaking. I cannot wait to use what I learn and am brimming with excitement to know that twenty-one other women will do the same. Come June 2012, twenty-two women will emerge with the skill set, confidence, poise, and conviction to run for office. As Laurel Ulrich wrote, "well-behaved women seldom make history." From Emerge MA we will fill the vacuum in our political leadership, make our voices heard, and make history.

Chris Chanyasulkit
Emerge Massachusetts
Class of 2012

The Women are Here

liza — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:15:33 -0500

As 2011 drew to a close, newspapers, magazines, and blogs scrambled to compile the traditional "year-end" lists, ranking the events and milestones of the previous year. Reading some of these lists and thinking over how I would remember 2011, I looked back on major world events that had transpired as well as my own professional and personal milestones. While it was the year that I finished graduate school and was accepted into the Emerge California class of 2012, 2011 will stand out for me as the "year of the protest." From the Occupy Wall Street movement here in the US, to protests abroad in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, it was the year that I watched as citizens took to the streets to speak out against inequality, injustice and repression.

Moreover, it was a year in which women stepped to the forefront as key agents for change. In February, women helped launch the anti-Gaddafi protests in Libya. In November, following Tunisia's first free elections, women took to the streets to call for a guarantee of women's rights under the new Islamist regime. In December, the world watched as thousands of women marched through Cairo to demand an end to military rule and to protest the beating of a young woman at the hands of the military there, chanting "the girls of Egypt are here". It was the biggest demonstration by women in modern Egyptian history.

In 2011, women were no longer just participants in these movements, they were leaders. With the rise of a new, well-educated generation of young women, we move into the new year better positioned than ever to make our mark. Look out 2012 - the women are here.

Sarah Swanbeck
Emerge California
Class of 2012

Women Run for Office to do Something

liza — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:53:21 -0500

My holiday season has filled with the usual series of long family dinners, and the long family conversations that accompany them. Various topics would wind their way through every meal, but by the time wine glasses had been emptied and dessert has been served, the conversation inevitably circled back to that most irresistable subject - the state of world affairs.

There was a lot to reflect upon this year - the Arab Spring, the Occupy movement, the rise of the 99 percent. There was a powerful theme of passionate people coming together to confront the injustices of their societies, and the result has been a broader national awareness of the inequality that pervades American life.

In some of our Emerge trainings, especially those where we have had to stand up in front of each other and make our campaign "pitch" about the problems and solutions that are most important to us, we have had our occasional share of tears. This is because the women in my class are talking about issues that are deeply personal to them, the social and economic realities that affect the lives of their neighbors and loved ones.

The saying comes to mind that "women run for office to do something, and men run for office to be somebody." I won't speculate about all men's political ambitions, but at least among the Emerge Maine class of 2012, this statement absolutely holds true - the amazing women who surround me all want to do something.

As I sat at the table with aunts, uncles, and grandparents throughout the holidays, I was reminded that the vital themes that defined this year can help inspire us at the community level. While I'm not running right now, it has been wonderful to watch each woman in my class decide whether she is ready to run, and thrilling to see many of them rise to the challenge. I am excited to see them occupy the Maine legislature, and school boards and town councils all over the state.

Isobel Moiles
Emerge Maine Class of 2012

Taking It Into Our Own Hands

liza — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:37:52 -0500

America saw its first female vice presidential nominee the year I was born. I knew Geraldine Ferraro as the name on a campaign button in my dad's collection of political memorabilia. She was, to me, a relic of the past. Now, I know how truly recent this transformation of our democracy has been. Only in the past four decades have a substantial number of women started to run and be elected to public office in the United States.

In California, the election of women to the State Legislature began in earnest in the mid-1970s, and prompted its institutions to adapt. All members of the State Assembly were referred to as Assemblymen until Leona Egeland Siadek, elected in 1974, insisted on a new title. The term Assemblymember was born, and thereafter used to refer to all of the body's members. Similarly, Rose Ann Vuich, the State Senate's first female member, elected in 1976, famously rang a bell each time her male colleagues addressed the members of the body as "gentlemen" reminding them that the Senate was no longer only composed of men.

In spite of the successes of these pioneering women, it is astonishing how little things have changed for women in public office. If you were to line up six members of Congress, five would be men. This sad state of affairs puts the United States at 84^th in the world when ranked by the proportion of women in the national legislature. Meanwhile, something as critical as women's reproductive rights continues to be a hot button issue.

Emerge is working hard to elect more women to public office. This is why I am honored to be a part of Emerge California's 10^th class. We are taking it into our own hands, and we will change our communities.

Kiyomi Burchill
Emerge California
Class of 2012

Salute: Embracing 100 Years at the Ballot Box

liza — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:33:32 -0500

Eagerly sitting in front of my computer anticipating the start of my first blog, I cannot help but marvel at the realization that I AM a participant of Emerge California Class of 2012, and recognizing the 100 Year Anniversary of California women securing the right to vote. Thanks to the suffragettes and California voters of 1911, a passion for equality and justice drive me to join the proud lineage of women in elected offices. Every year a significant number of courageous women join the sisterhood of Emerge and live up to its mission to increase the number of women in elected offices.

We salute those women. But we know having such opportunities, rights, and freedoms came with a price- they were won through the sacrifices of millions of women who fought in for women's suffrage in California. This battle was part of a national movement which set new standards for new ideas and bold actions, dramatically affected the electoral power and political support, and eventually lead to the passage of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, granting American women the right to vote in 1920.Emerge America strives to build upon this legacy by empowering, engaging, and embracing women in politics.

Salute!

Dr. Annette Hoffman-Walker
Emerge California
Class 2012

My Candidacy Has Begun!

liza — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:17:18 -0500

Your candidacy begins today . . . with these words on a sheet of paper from Emerge I started my Emerge fellowship! I must admit that I was nervous to begin my Emerge experience I remember while in law school looking at fellow classmates who every one "knew" would one day go into politics and thinking: "What "dirt bags!" . . . and now I am one of them . . .well at least in theory I am. My journey to the Emerge program has been anything but linear. I have always known that I wanted to be an agent of change but I always assumed that would occur as an attorney and/or a community activist. What made me change my mind? Quite simply and succinctly, I realized that I could not do any worse a job than a great deal of the people that currently hold office and I also knew that I could and wanted to do much better! So, I have decided to take the plunge into the world of pubic service!

I truly have no idea what to expect. I have heard that politics can be cut-throat and ruthless . . .that I can lose my soul and my mind on the campaign trail, but yet while I am nervous, I am not afraid. Some might say that my lack of fear comes from naivety and those individuals would be partially right, because other than volunteering on individual politicians campaigns - phone banking and stuffing envelopes and the like - I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE of what it is like to be an actual candidate unless you count high school class elections and that was over a decade ago for me.

One thing that I have is determination and will! I plan to use this experience that has been granted to me to learn all I can and to mold myself into they type of person who can go out and win elections, but yet retains the essential essence of who and what I am. Watch out world! My candidacy has begun . . .

Kia-Jacquelyn Omotalade
Emerge California 2012

Background on Nine Trailblazer Honorees

liza — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:54:34 -0400

Irene Bustamante-Adams
Emerge Nevada Class Of 2010
Member Of The Nevada State Assembly For The 42nd District

Irene Bustamante Adams is the Nevada State Assemblywoman for District 42 in Clark County. Elected for the first time in 2010, Irene just completed her first legislative session, where she served - as a freshman - as the vice chair of the Assembly Government Affairs Committee. In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Bustamante was also appointed to the Commerce and Labor Committee, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Mining Committee and Taxation Committee.

Read more about Irene here.

Susan Chalifoux Zephir
Emerge Massachusetts Class Of 2009
Leominster City Councilor

Sue Chalifoux Zephir joined the Emerge Class of 2009 after narrowly losing a race for State Representative in 2008. Thanks to the communications, fundraising, field and campaign operations skills she learned in the Emerge program, she ran a stronger, smarter campaign for Leominster City Council in 2009. The result: Sue topped the ticket for the Leominster City Council, beating out every incumbent.

Malia Cohen
Emerge California Class Of 2005
San Francisco District 10 Supervisor

Supervisor Cohen was elected in November 2010 to represent the residents of San Francisco's 10th District. The 10th District includes Bayview Hunters Point, Potrero Hill and Visitacion Valley. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Land Use and Economic Development Committee, Vice-Chair of the Public Safety Committee and Chair of the City and School District Committee. She also represents San Francisco on the Fiance Committee for the Transportation Authority and on the Executive Board of Association of Bay Area Governments.

Katie Hobbs
Emerge Arizona Class Of 2004
Member Of The Arizona House Of Representatives For District 15

Katie Hobbs was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in November, 2010 and represents Arizona's District 15, in central Phoenix. In the House, Katie serves on the Health and Human Services, Government, and Transportation Committees. Katie has served as a Commissioner on the Phoenix Women's Commission, the Phoenix Human Services Commission, and was the chair of the Maricopa County Merit System Commission. She is on the board of Political Action for Candidate Election of the Arizona chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and is adjunct faculty in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at Paradise Valley Community College.

Val Hoyle
Emerge Oregon Class Of 2009
Member Of The Oregon House Of Representatives For District 14

Rep. Hoyle is member of the Oregon House of Representatives in District 14, representing West Eugene, Junction City, Cheshire, and Alvadore. She was appointed to the House in August 2009 and was re-elected to a full term in November 2010. Prior to the 2011 Legislative session, she was elected Assistant Caucus Leader of the Oregon House Democrats. She serves on the House Health Care Committee, the House Business and Labor Committee, and is the Vice-Chair of the House Higher Education Subcommittee. She also served on the Governor's Health Care Transformation and was a non-voting member of the Senate Health Care Reform Committee.

Jessica King
Emerge Wisconsin Class Of 2007
Wisconsin State Senator For District 18

Senator Jessica King is a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 18th District since 2011. She defeated Senator Randy Hopper in a special recall election on August 9, 2011 and was sworn into office on August 25, 2011. She served on the Oshkosh Common Council and also served as deputy mayor. She previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Roxanne Lara
Emerge New Mexico Class Of 2007
Eddy County Commissioner

Roxanne R. Lara serves as an Eddy County Commissioner in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Breaking the trend in a county that overwhelmingly supported John McCain, Roxanne ran and defeated popular opponents in both the primary and general races. Roxanne was sworn in as an Eddy County Commissioner in January, 2009. Roxanne is a member of the Eddy County-Lea County Energy Alliance and sits on the National Board of Energy Communities Alliance, as well as the executive board of the Carlsbad Department of Development.

Rita Smart
Emerge Kentucky Class Of 2010
Member Of The Kentucky House Of Representatives For The 81st District

Rep. Smart is serving in the Kentucky House of Representative from the 81st district. She was elected in November 2010. She serves on the Education, Agriculture, Local Government and Veterans committees as well as a budget subcommittee on Post Secondary Education. Smart is the owner of Bennett House Bed & Breakfast, and worked for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture for 34 years.

Jenna Vendil
Emerge Maine Class Of 2009
Portland Board Of Public Education Member For District 1

In 2009, Jenna was elected to represent District 1 on the Portland School Board. In 2010, Jenna was appointed to Chair the Curriculum and Educational Planning Sub-Committee to increase student learning and end achievement gaps across the school district. She serves on the Advisory Committee for the People of Color Fund. In 2010, Jenna was appointed by the Senate President to serve a 1 year term on the Commission on Maine Women.

Read more about Jenna here.

FORMER GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN JENNIFER GRANHOLM TO SPEAK ON ELECTED LEADERSHIP & POWER AT FIRST EMERGE AMERICA NATIONAL LUNCHEON

alisha — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:31:11 -0400

For Immediate Release

FORMER GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN JENNIFER GRANHOLM
TO SPEAK ON ELECTED LEADERSHIP & POWER
AT FIRST EMERGE AMERICA NATIONAL LUNCHEON
Joan Walsh, Editor at Large of Salon, to Serve as Mistress of Ceremonies

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA. October 18, 2011.) Jennifer Granholm, former Governor of Michigan and new host of Current TV's "The War Room" will speak at Emerge America's inaugural luncheon at The Fairmont in San Francisco on October 26. Granholm, author of the newly released "A Governor's Story: The Fight for Jobs and America's Economic Future" will speak at the luncheon honoring nine women elected to office from each of the states where Emerge America has candidate training programs.

"Jennifer Granholm shows that you can hold public office at the highest levels and get results with grit and grace even in the most turbulent of economic times," said Karen Middleton, President of Emerge America, the nation's leading organization founded to recruit and train Democratic women to run for office. "Her story is one of inspiration and we are delighted that she joins us in our work to encourage more women to run and serve in elected posts across the U.S."

Highly regarded journalist and Salon's Editor at Large, Joan Walsh will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies celebrating Emerge America victories in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Oregon, New Mexico, Maine, Nevada and Kentucky. All, but one of the "trailblazers" are flying in for Emerge America's first national awards luncheon.

Emerge America has garnered national support since its founding including that of Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and current House Democratic Leader.

"Now, more than ever, women's voices and experiences are desperately needed in the halls of Congress and in state legislatures. Emerge America's commitment to training and mentoring women candidates is vital to making that happen," said Pelosi. " I salute the nine honorees for their vision."

The women to be honored and attending the luncheon are:
· Irene Bustamante-Adams, Member, Nevada State Assembly
· Susan Chalifoux Zephir, Leominster City Councilor, Massachusetts
· Malia Cohen, Supervisor, San Francisco Board of Supervisors, California
· Katie Hobbs, Member, Arizona House of Representatives
· Val Hoyle, Member, Oregon State House of Representatives
· Jessica King, Member, Wisconsin State Senate (by video)
· Roxanne Lara, Eddy County Commissioner, New Mexico
· Rita Smart, Member, Kentucky House of Representatives
· Jenna Vendil, Portland Board of Education, Maine

About Emerge America
Launched in 2002, Emerge America was created to address the under-representation of women in office at the local, state, and federal level. Our program is the essential step for Democratic women who want to run for public office. It is the only in-depth, seven-month training program that inspires candidates to run and gives them the tools to win. There are Emerge programs in nine states: Arizona, California, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Emerge America is based in San Francisco, California. Former Colorado state legislator, Karen Middleton is President. To learn more about Emerge America, please visit: www.emergeamerica.org

For more information, contact:
Karen Middleton, 415-889-7449

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Unity: What Political Candidacy Means to Me

I Carried a Box

Brimming with Excitement

The Women are Here

Women Run for Office to do Something

Taking It Into Our Own Hands

Salute: Embracing 100 Years at the Ballot Box

My Candidacy Has Begun!

Background on Nine Trailblazer Honorees

Irene Bustamante-AdamsEmerge Nevada Class Of 2010Member Of The Nevada State Assembly For The 42nd District

Susan Chalifoux ZephirEmerge Massachusetts Class Of 2009Leominster City Councilor

Malia CohenEmerge California Class Of 2005San Francisco District 10 Supervisor

Katie HobbsEmerge Arizona Class Of 2004Member Of The Arizona House Of Representatives For District 15

Val HoyleEmerge Oregon Class Of 2009Member Of The Oregon House Of Representatives For District 14

Jessica KingEmerge Wisconsin Class Of 2007Wisconsin State Senator For District 18

Roxanne LaraEmerge New Mexico Class Of 2007Eddy County Commissioner

Rita SmartEmerge Kentucky Class Of 2010Member Of The Kentucky House Of Representatives For The 81st District

Jenna VendilEmerge Maine Class Of 2009Portland Board Of Public Education Member For District 1