Mothers of democracy.
May 14, 2023
Sunday is Mother’s Day in America. I hope everyone will take the time to thank or remember the mothers in their lives who made unknowable, uncountable sacrifices to bring us to this moment.
I am grateful for my mother, who worked nights at Bank of America’s headquarters in Los Angeles from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM reconciling checks by hand so that she could provide for four children. I am grateful for my wife, who is a wonderful mother to our three daughters, two of whom are now wonderful mothers in their own right.
One of the unexpected benefits of this newsletter is that I have had the opportunity to speak to dozens of grassroots organizations over the last six years. Without exception, women comprise 85%-plus of the attendees at the meetings. Leaders of those organizations have told me that women represent about nine out of ten of the volunteers who write, canvass, call, fundraise, march, and otherwise show up at events to defend democracy and re-establish the rule of law.
I do not mean to diminish the role of the men who show up, and I recognize that political participation is broader than grassroots organizing—so there are plenty of places where men may be active though less visible. But we should acknowledge the truth that in our nation’s hour of need, women have stepped up in disproportionate numbers—especially Black women, whose constancy and dedication are the backbone of the Democratic Party.
Although not all women are mothers, on this Mother’s Day let’s recognize that during a perilous time in our nation’s history, women have led the way in redeeming democracy anew for the next generation. They are truly the mothers of democracy in our time.
All Americans owe women a debt of gratitude. If you feel moved to do so, leave a comment reflecting on the sacrifices women in your life have made to help defend democracy or make America a safer, more tolerant, and loving society. You should also feel free to leave a personal reflection about your mother or someone who has been like a mother to you.
Of course, you should feel also free to discuss the events of an eventful week. As always, please be respectful and “like” worthy comments to promote them to the top for the attention of other readers.
Have a good weekend and a happy Mother’s Day! Talk to you on Monday!
My late wife Jurate, who passed away on February 20 after a six year fight with Parkinson's, the final three completely bedbound, came to this country with her family as war refugees from Lithuania. The first thing in America she saw was the Statue of Liberty when she was 3; she looked out the porthole of the troopship that brought them here. She grew up in Chicago, and when she went to the University of Chicago, she became part of the Friends of Jane, who worked to help women obtain abortions before Roe v Wade recognized that right. She came to Los Angeles in the 1970s. In the 1990s, she was active in clinic defense in opposition to the assault on Planned Parenthood clinics by the fundiescum of Operation Rescue. Unfortunately she lived long enough to see the terrible Dobbs decision, which I think had an effect on her. Soon after that, she lapsed into the increasing failing state of fnal stage Parkinson's. She was a brave patriot who fought for her adopted country as tenaciously as any soldier, and defended women's rights.
I'd like to honor Francis Perkins who was Secretary of Labor for FDR's entire Presidency and the driving force behind the New Deal including establishing Social Security. The only thing on her agenda that she didn't accomplish was universal healthcare! Please read her incredible biography. She is definitely on my list of Women I most admire. https://francesperkinscenter.org/learn/her-life/