Who Is the Woman Who Has Most Inspired You in Politics?
It’s been said before but it bears repeating; the 2016 Democratic National Convention aims to be the most innovative, engaging and diverse Convention in modern history. It’s also on time, on budget and well on track to meet the high expectations that we have set for ourselves and for the Democratic Party. Since day one our CEO, Rev. Leah D. Daughtry has made it clear that the Convention is a reflection of our Party ideals and will be representative of America. It’s not just about the sea of people who will be heading to Philadelphia this July but the vendors, contractors and, of course, the staff.
Speaking of our staff, here is something you should know: Our staff is over 60 percent female.
60 percent.
And among this large group of women there is camaraderie among veterans and new faces. There is a spirit of lifting each other while pulling up those who come behind. It is a sentiment that starts from the top with senior staff and envelopes us all as we work towards electing another Democrat to the highest office in the country. Of course, none of us got to this point in our careers alone. We have all received an assist from other women who have inspired us and have helped to shape our perspectives in politics.
In the spirit of Women’s History Month we presented the following question to several of the Convention’s female staff members: Who is the woman who has most inspired you in politics? Here’s what they — we — had to say:
Rev. Leah D. Daughtry, CEO
Fannie Lou Hamer spent her life fighting for the inclusion of people and communities who’d been left out and locked out. She challenged the Democratic Party to live up to a larger vision of itself including the 1964 Convention when the Party refused to seat her delegation, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. She is tremendously inspiring and motivating. As the CEO of the Democratic National Convention, now for a second time, I stand for her — in the place where she should have stood — and the millions of people represented by the vision and the values she advanced.
April Mellody, Deputy CEO for Communications
My former boss, Dee Dee Myers who was the first female White House Press Secretary. She is a role model, inspiration and the definition of grace under pressure. She opened the door and set the standard for many.
Zoe Garmendia, Deputy CEO for Logistics
Janet V. Green, Deputy Convention Manager for the 1996 Democratic National Convention Committee inspired me. Janet was my mentor and role model. She taught me to empower and engage people while always having a passion for what I do.
Kelli Klein, Digital Director
Ellen Malcom is definitely a woman who has inspired me early on in politics. The tremendous work she’s done continues to be incredibly impactful to this day.
Olivia Chow, Deputy Director of Digital Communications
Mee Moua, born in Laos and a refugee to the United States. She became the first Hmong American elected to a state legislature. She is thoughtful, strategic, kind and most importantly, grounded in community.
Heather Barmore, Deputy Director of Digital Communications
Stephanie Tubbs Jones. In politics it can be difficult to meet genuinely nice and helpful people. I happened to meet Representative Tubbs Jones at a fundraiser and she kept it 100% real. Thanks to her, I have often surrounded myself with women who are honest and tell me how it is — whether I want to hear it or not.
Danielle Daughtry, Chief Counsel
I am inspired by the grace, fortitude and sheer brilliance of Shirley Chisholm. Considering the tumultuous time during which she served as State Legislator and Congresswoman from my home state, her ability to engage both sides of the aisle, fight for those who were historically underrepresented and shatter barriers is truly awe inspiring.
Lisa Hargrove Ware, Director of Credentials
Augusta Y. Thomas, who is the National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices at AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees). She has told stories of riding in a horse and buggy with her dad to go and vote and him being turned away because he wasn’t able to correctly guess the number of jelly beans in a jar. She played with Martin Luther King, Jr. as a child. She protested at the lunch counter at Woolworth’s. She’s a retired nurse for the VA and she raised 9 children. She fights for women, the LGBT community, and EEOC rights everywhere. It was an honor to work for and learn from her.
Jess Torres, Assistant Press Secretary
Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina SCOTUS justice who was born in the Bronx — like me! — has managed to create an inspiring career because of her resilience, awareness, and incredible ability to represent all the ideals our Party and country stand for.
The Democratic National Convention will be held July 25th — 28th in Philadelphia, PA. Questions? Feel free to tweet us at @DemConvention
