Flying with the big dogs

Wednesday night two sister girlfriends and I ventured to Columbia to attend a reception called Pathways to Power. We met most of the women who are running for political office or who are in political office in the state of South Carolina. It was amazing. We actually took the opportunity to reach out and touch these women. In that setting the women were not able to hide behind press secretaries, other mouthpieces, or stuff. They were standing right in front of us as fair game to field any question we threw at them. Most of them rose to the challenge.

It was really nice to see the women behind the issues. While I did not agree with some of them, it was important for me to understand their thought processes. I wanted to understand how they made the decision to run and exactly what they considered the major issues in their areas. Most of them were very passionate about their constituents and the issues. Many were very candid about the challenges they were facing, their trepidations about balancing family-career-political office, their opponents, and the need for change.

This was a bi-partisan affair and most of us managed not to get entangled in the Palin controversy, although we did chuckle about the new action figure. My favorite is The "Sarahnator" comes dressed in a tomb raider outfit and is equipped with a leg holstered .45 handgun. You can read more about this at http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid61125.asp.

These women were true inspirations. Regardless of their party affiliation, they are prime examples of women who are not content to just sit back and complain. They decided not to wait until someone else fixes the problems. These are the kinds of women I want to be surrounded by. Those who voice an opinion and are ready to back it with action.
They are what Goldie Taylor called "The Bricklayers" . Read more about that at http://www.ebonyjet.com/politics/national/index.aspx?id=9282.

If you have an opportunity to support a woman, check her out. I am not saying vote for her because she is a woman. I am saying check her out. Let her know your opinions and tell her why you will or will not support her. Give her the opportunity to tell you about her. Do not believe all of the hype the media spins. Every election is an opportunity to make your voice heard. Take the time to really know the candidates you are voting for.