Category Archives: politics

I’m with you, kid. Let’s go.


meeting Fani Willis, district attorney for Fulton County, Georgia

DA Willis was in Columbia this week for a fundraiser for her reelection campaign, and my friend Nekki got me a ticket to go with her to the event. I have the utmost admiration for Willis who has refused to be bullied by the Bully-ex-Chief of all bullies. The atmosphere at the fundraiser was upbeat, festive, and celebratory of not only our Georgia sister but also women in South Carolina who are incumbents in political offices and/or campaigning to serve. I needed a good dose of hope, and the people who surrounded me in that intimate gathering had kept hope alive.

A separate event the next day was much smaller, but no less intimate nor hopeful when Field Director Nicholaus Outen led South Carolina state senatorial candidate Francie Kleckley’s team of volunteers in an assembly line production of putting together the newly arrived yard signs followed by training us for our initial canvassing efforts in nearby neighborhoods. Time to put pedal to the metal.

“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ‘I’m with you, kid. Let’s go.'”

(Maya Angelou, American memoirist and poet)

Now is the time for all people of good will to come to the aid of their country. Yesterday is over and done, tomorrow is not promised, we only have today to be the change we long to see. I’m with you, kids. Let’s go.

Onward.

National Organization for Women: Lost in Translation


On June 30, 1966, the National Organization for Women was founded by activists who wanted to end sex discrimination. Who could argue with that lofty goal?

Oh, well. Just about everyone. Many men felt threatened in those early days by a national organization formed to remove barriers of discrimination they liked and needed. Women of color often felt excluded because they weren’t represented in the movement. Queer women felt equally left out. Voter suppression wasn’t a major talking point. Intersectional feminism, what exactly was that? Misunderstood, misconstrued, lost in translation – the challenges of the early days of the National Organization for Women.

In an effort to better explain its mission, Article II of the bylaws adopted by the NOW membership in 2020 states the following:

NOW’s purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls in all aspects of social, political, and economic life.

NOW’s 2024 Action Plan aims to “win a feminist vistory in the 2024 elections, defeat estremist attacks and restore women’s rights” through grassroots campaigns.

I was able to kill Roe v. Wade

love ya, ladies

Donnie

we are all Wonder Women


Four years ago I published this piece and today felt a need to remind ourselves and others of our power. To whom it may concern: Do Not Try to Control our Bodies. Bad idea. We will remember in November.

Huge thanks to my good Sister Marla Wood for posting this powerful image on her FB page. I thought when I saw it, wow, this is a great theme for Women’s History Month. Let’s get down to it.

In March, 2021 women are in powerful positions across the globe. Vice President Kamala Harris cast a deciding vote in the US Senate March 04th. to break a tie (50 Democrats for – 50 Republicans against) beginning debate on President Biden’s massive $1.9 trillion Covid Relief Bill approved by the House of Representatives. Bi-partisan support for the bill? No, not really.

But the first woman veep in American history who also serves constitutionally as President of the Senate said hey boys, either jump on this train to help people who are sick, jobless, grieving the loss of loved ones, struggling to keep food on the table and/or a roof over their heads for their children because of a pandemic the previous administration chose to ignore as science fiction – or don’t. This train is leaving the station.

Celebrate Women’s History Month by discovering the Wonder Woman you are!

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Stay safe, stay sane and please stay tuned.

CELEBRATE International Women’s Day!


“Invest in Women — Accelerate Progress“

(theme for 2024)

In South Carolina where Pretty and I live, 54% of the population are women, but not one woman sits on the South Carolina Supreme Court; we are the only state in the nation without a female justice. Only six state senators out of 46 are women, 20 out of 124 House members are women. These statistics indicate we rank 48th. of 50 states in women’s legislative representation according to the Center for American Women and Politics.

Do the math: only 15% of the lawmakers making our laws in this state on reproductive rights, on health care for women and children, on domestic violence, on gun control, on climate change, on school safety, on police brutality against people of color, on issues affecting marginalized populations in the state, on banning books that promote inclusiveness and social justice – on these and all other laws in our state affecting every citizen – only 15% of those lawmakers are women.

The voting odds are stacked against women, and history is not on our side, either. Women’s groups have been talking about underrepresentation in our state for nearly forty years. One of the true pioneers for women’s rights in South Carolina, Barbara Moxon, began a group called Advocates for Women on Boards and Commissions in 1988. I was the treasurer for that organization which developed extensive publicity on the need for more women political appointees while also providing aid and encouragement for female members to apply for appointments. We had limited successes in our efforts.

The consequences of the 2024 election in November will have a generational effect not only on the nation but also on our state. Bravery, courage, dogged persistence, and financial support will be mandatory for any woman who puts herself forward in the political climate of these challenging times, but I am thrilled that a woman who has been my close friend for a very long time has answered the call for a change in leadership by campaigning for a Senate seat in South Carolina District 10.

This woman has spunk, and I have always admired spunk combined with proven leadership qualities. I will have more to say about her in the days to come during her campaign, but for today as part of your celebration of International Women’s Day, please go to her website; get to know her better, and invest in a woman who will accelerate progress for all. http://www.franciekleckley.com.

You tell it, Sister Girl.

Onward.