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The first time I knocked on a door was 1988 when I might have been the only person in America who thought Michael Dukakis could win the presidential election. I also thought that if we could elect all the right people, we could solve all our problems.
When none of those things happened, my theory of change evolved. I started thinking about organizing as bringing people together to build power.
Highlights include organizing strategy, political campaigns and organizing education with the National Organization for Women NOW), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), lots (lots!) of political campaigns from city council to statewide ballot measures, Food and Water Watch, WEPOWER St. Louis, Leadership for Educational Equity and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light.
A highlight was transforming a struggling Colorado state employees’ association into a union with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). We tripled membership, won improvements in health care and raises for the lowest paid employees, on the way to winning an executive order establishing state employees rights to negotiate a contract. (Click here to see the signing ceremony when the EO became permanent law!)
I started Organizing to Win in 2020 when I realized that what I really want to do is help bring people together to build power.
In my spare time, I’m a volunteer member of the board of the Truth Pregnancy Resource Center in Dallas, TX. We provide accurate, comprehensive reproductive health resources, counseling and support to people in north Texas, informed by a reproductive justice framework.
I also watch Law and Order reruns, hike, bake and cook. Ask me about my spicy popcorn!
Power is like a hammer. A hammer can be used to beat someone up. Or it can be used to build shelter and protect people.
Power is neutral, just like a hammer. It’s all in how you use it.
Sometimes it’s hard to talk about power because we’ve been on the wrong end of dominant power. At Organizing to Win, we build relational power. The great thing about relational power is that the more you share it, the more there is.
Why is the hammer green? It’s my favorite color. 💚
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