Women’s Issues

I have developed another position statement for my campaign, this time a personal experiences statement on women’s issues. I’m sure there are many women out there who can sympathize and have even more hardship stories to share.
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I raised three children and have a grandchild on the way. While I haven’t had what I would term a “hard” life by comparison to many, I feel I’m in position now to speak out and be involved in issues that are near and dear to our residents due to my experiences.

I am passionate about women’s issues and human needs in general(hunger, housing, healthcare, etc.) and issues that affect the elderly (I grew up around nursing homes all my life).

I’ve been a single mom, been on welfare and food stamps, been through divorce and bankruptcy. I’m passionate about improved mass transit not only for the environmental issues surrounding the latter, but also because I know first hand what it’s like to have to transport myself and three small children using inadequate mass transit because I had no car, having to also drag around a
wheeled suitcase (again with three children) so I could bring home our groceries from the supermarket by bus.

Because of our poverty situation, my children were enrolled in the free lunch program in their schools. There were Christmas holidays when I took advantage of Sub for Santa programs so that my children would receive gifts since I could not afford to get them myself.

I’ve never been homeless (just almost) so while I support issues that address
homelessness, I can’t actually sympathize with being in that situation, although I’ve known folks and have talked to many in that siuation, including war vets. But I have been without health insurance several times in the past decade (in fact I have it for the first time again this year since 2003), and with two of my three children having had significant and, at times, almost insurmountable, health care issues, this was quite a challenge.

I really do feel that more women need to come out and speak about these issues. I would encourage and challenge women out there to voice their opinions more and get involved. When elected, I will focus on those issues that have a direct impact on women and families in particular.