The topic of reproductive rights is near and dear to me because I was raised by activists who did not support a woman's or child's right to choose what happens to and inside of her own body. Having grown up in that environment while also being a victim of CSA, my heart aches for the women and children of Florida who have been harmed by Florida's regressive policies and legislation regarding reproductive healthcare.
This November 5, Amendment 4 is on the ballot. Amendment 4 updates the current legislation surrounding abortion by extending the timeframe for a person in need of abortion. Currently in Florida abortion is illegal after 6 weeks (before most women and menstruating children know they're pregnant), regardless of common reasons an abortion may be needed, like rape, incest, CSA, and the health of the mother. Amendment 4 would enshrine abortion rights in the state of Florida, which we know will save the lives of mothers, babies, and children.
I could not save little Tamra from the adult man who harmed her, but I can use my voice and my vote to make sure other little girls don't have to carry the consequences of an adult man's crimes against them. Floridians of all ages deserve the right to decide what happens to their bodies. They deserve the freedom to choose when and how they become parents.
#FreeFlorida #FreeTheNation #ACLUFL @aclufl @aclu_nationwide
I am so proud of my baby sister. She has worked so hard for this shop and worked so hard to make sure it is a place where everyone knows they are welcome and they belong. 🧡🌈
Help. What am I doing here. Have I really gone 40 years saying this whole word wrong. HELP.
I think about Aunt Jane often. I think about how in awe of her I was. How badly I wanted to know her better. I think about that house filled with art painted by herself, her son, her loves, and her friends. I think about how she moved away to the city, created distance from our family, and made a life for herself that was so interesting and full of color and joy.
I am forever grateful for the Black Sheep in my family who paved the way.
The ache for humanity is strong this morning. So, I made biscuits for breakfast. And I'm pulling out my fall and Halloween decorations today. And I am taking moments to weep and meditate. Because the ache is so strong this morning. It is so, so strong.
It doesn't matter how many times we organize our spice cabinet, it'll be a mess again in less than 24 hours. 😭
Yesterday evening I worked my first political event. I spent over three hours on my feet, pacing through a banquet hall taking photos and videos, shaking hands with candidates, talking to other comms and social media teams, and forging relationships with members of my community here in the Panhandle.
My feet are covered in blisters and my phone is running out of storage, but last night we learned from the Harris campaign that Florida has had the highest number of Democratic volunteers sign up in the last week than ANY OTHER STATE, so my heart is so full right now.
I am so proud of the communities here in Florida. There is hope for us, even in this very densely Red area of the state. The Panhandle is showing up and showing out this election cycle. We may be small, but we are mighty. 🌊
I have something important to tell you. But first, backstory. We moved to the Panhandle here in Florida in 2020. Some of you know the story. For those who don't, my spouse lost his job in March 2020 after having a cancer scare in January of that year. For months we looked for work, finally finding it in Florida.
We've thought about leaving a lot these last four years. Not gonna lie, we tried to a few times. But, here is where it seems we are meant to be. So, we're gonna just keep livin', man. We live in our dream home, we have wonderful friends here, the work is good, and we are very, very privileged.
Which is why, as you may recall, in June I retired from influencing to volunteer full-time. And I'm ready to tell you about it.
I am now a Democratic Executice Committeewoman here in the Panhandle with Okaloosa County Democrats (@okaloosadems). As a committeewoman I have a vote and a voice for Democracy and Democratic values in the Panhandle. In addition to this, I have joined our social media and digital team in a leadership position to help guide Okaloosa Dems' digital presence and grow our base through online organizing and community-building.
It is an honor to serve this community I have called home for the last four years. It's hard being a Blue dot in a Red county and state, but I believe in the good people of Florida, and I am fortunate to know and serve them.
I'm proud of the work our small but passionate organization is doing here. I firmly believe there are more Liberals, Progressives, Leftists, and Democrats here than we realize. And it is my goal to connect us.
Because we need each other. More than ever. And together, we can shape a better and brighter future for our children and grandchildren. 🌊🌊🌊
No one is coming to save us. So, we have to be willing to do the work to save each other. Get involved in your local politics. Go to city council meetings. Register and vote in your primaries. Check out @runforsomethingnow and find out more about how to get involved.
We have to start showing up in our communities instead of wasting all our energy hoping for the perfect presidential candidate. Our freedoms and our democracy is at stake.
Tonight, I will be elected as an executive committeewoman of my local chapter of the Democratic Party. Before that happens, I want to talk to you about how this happened and why this is happening.
About a year ago, a friend in my area told me about the failures of our local chapter of the Democratic Party. Like a lot of Leftist and Progressive voters in my area of Florida, they felt wholly abandoned by the Democratic Party here, and for good reason. One of the complaints they and others shared with me is how little social media presense the Democrats have in this area. And in an off-handed remark that would stay with me for over a year, they said, "They could really use someone like you to do their social media for them."
For the last year, I've sat with this, and pondered it, and tossed and turned over it. Because the truth is, I am very VERY critical of the Democratic Party. I feel like the Democratic Party has many times over failed Leftist, Liberal, and Progressive voters. I feel like as a party Democrats are being held back by outdated ideals and octogenarians who are out of touch with the bulk of the voter base. And I feel like young voters aren't being heard, taken seriously, or considered by the party at all.
I've shared these gripes privately and publicly many, many times. SO, why would I now be "throwing my lot in" with a party I am so critical of? Because this party isn't going to change by complaining about it online. It changes when small, normal people like me decide to do something. Even if that something is small. Like becoming the Social Media Manager for our local chapter of the Democratic Party.
It is time for action. Honestly, it is passed time for action. I can't continue to sit back and hope someone else is going to come in and fix the problems happening around me. If I want change, I have to be willing to be part of the change.
This is why I retired from content creation and being an influencer: I'm hanging up my ring light to serve my co
I have failed at being an influencer. And I'm okay with that. Let's talk about it.
I decided to try painting this frosted glass globe that goes with my vintage, art deco lamp, because it was just too bright. I used @pebeo_officiel Vitrea 160, Glossy Glass Paint in Ink Black and I love how it came out. I love that it looks like the moon now! 🌙 What do you think? #vintagedecor #artdeco #vintage #artdecointerior #aerdecoration #artdecodecor #thrift #thrifting #thriftstorefinds #thriftstore
