“That night I couldn’t breath...”
“I just couldn’t stop crying...”
“I just don’t understand...”
“I’m so angry!!...”
“I guess I’ll never see a woman president while I’m still alive...”
“I’m marching in D.C...Albuquerque...Denver...”
Sitting around a crowded table were 25 progressive women who came to share their thoughts about the local and presidential election. Some announced they were Democrats, progressives, or even past Republicans, while others didn’t want labels; “Let’s talk issues!”. What we all had in common was a burning sense of concern and a need to get involved. “Perhaps,” we said, “this is an unintended gift from Donald Trump.”
We celebrated that La Plata County voters went “6 for 6” on all Democratic candidates on the ticket from the county to the presidential race. Hillary carried La Plata County by 9.3 percent. We are proud of the 350 volunteers who participated with the La Plata Democrats grassroots effort. So enthusiastic, before the votes were even tallied, we decided to form a friendly, politically active women’s group.
But, the presidential election results gave way to a new purpose for this group. Each woman in this small room shared her wisdom, experience and thoughts on how to move forward. We casually surveyed the group resulting in areas of concern including health care, the environment, reproductive rights, civil liberties, mental health, gun safety, Medicare and Social Security, public education, student loan debt, income inequality, money in politics, counteracting fake news and more.
Can we be stronger together supporting each other and perhaps serving as the center of a wheel, strengthening various existing efforts or organizations? Will women come together regardless of our differences or party affiliation to address shared concerns and to advance our mutual goals? To be sure, this phenomenon is happening not just in Durango, but across the country.
If you want to join with other action-oriented women, or just come to listen, the next brown bag lunch will be on January 11th at noon at the La Plata County Democratic Headquarters at 1911 N. Main Avenue. Questions? Contact us at lpdemwomen@gmail.com.
Patty Dionne & Debbie Meyers
Durango
