Michelle Obama urged Americans to “Do Something,” a call to action that resonates powerfully this election cycle. Rural women, it is time for us to take responsibility and act. It’s time we listen, learn from women of color, and make a meaningful impact in our communities. Recent efforts by women of color demonstrate how powerful organized communities can be.
Black women have long been the backbone of progressive movements, often doing the hard work without the recognition they deserve. Rural, white women must not only support these efforts but also amplify their voices, engage in meaningful alliance and avoid co-opting their initiatives.
Historically, many rural and white women have played a pivotal role in American elections, often to the detriment of progressive causes and their own interests. Only twice since 1950 have a majority of white women voted for a Democratic presidential candidate. Instead, in 2016 and 2020, many supported Donald Trump. If we want change, we must change. We must do something. The time for being passive about the freedom we enjoyed and the freedom of our daughters and granddaughters hang in the balance.
In 2021, Iowa’s Moms for Liberty chapters, largely made up of white suburban moms, influenced local school board elections by supporting candidates who opposed pandemic-era restrictions. Their influence was subsequently felt in the 2022 elections and ushered in a time of book banning, intrusion into family health decisions, changes in child labor law and a general governmental over reach into Iowans’ lives.
Just two years later, the tide shifted in school board elections. Moms for Liberty candidates were largely defeated across the state. When women mobilize and do something we can impact change.
This election’s outcome will significantly affect public education, healthcare and personal freedoms. We must move beyond passive support and actively participate by talking to our friends and neighbors about why we are voting and why they should too.
What is your “why”? Why are you voting for Democrats in this election at the state, Congressional and national level? Is it for the future of public education, affordable healthcare, reproductive rights, or the preservation of democracy? Whatever your reasons, use your voices to influence those around you.
Every conversation, every shared experience, and every door knocked can make a difference. We have a unique responsibility and opportunity to shape the future of our country. Let’s step up, show up, and do something to ensure we’re on the right side of history this time. Women owe it to our daughters and granddaughters show up, speak up, and do something to insure that our children and grandchildren’s future freedoms are secure.
Get up and do something!