Blogs

The balancing act of career and motherhood is often quite an ordeal.  I have two sons that are six years apart, with very different needs.  The youngest proudly refers to himself as a "mama's boy", and the oldest wants me to hang in the background, only rarely acknowledging that he knows me.

Just the other day I was walking out of the supermarket when I noticed a headline of a small local newspaper, the Machias Valley News Observer.  Now, I don’t suppose that everyone gets the majority of their news from the paper, but it’s a friendly well-written, small-town newspaper.

It’s spring in Maine – finally, and the plants in my yard are starting to get the message.  I’ve been anxiously watching the progress of the daffodils out front.  They are just starting to peek above the ground.  As usual, they are behind everyone else’s.  They will bloom a good two weeks later than all of my neighbor’s daffodils.

Like most of my classmates, I applied for Emerge’s 2010 class because I’ve always been interested in politics, and this seemed like the time to find out more about running. I’ve already become more active, volunteering for a campaign, and applying for an appointed office.

When I first considered applying for the Emerge Maine program I was somewhat hesitant.  I heard about the program in the summer from a recent graduate and did some research into the program.  Then I talked myself out of it, ‘You can’t run for office’ I told myself.

My interest in politics has always been strong, but until a year ago my
motivations were so broad that I often felt myself struggling to convince anyone that my causes were worthwhile. Completing a thesis on the impact of environmental hazards on communities with low socio-economic statuses and high minority populations left me yearning to encourage civic engagement so someone, somewhere, would be responsible to these citizens.

A jam packed day of Emerge proved to be another successful training that helped to build our skills and strengthen our camaraderie.

Most people like surprises in their lives, I know that I do.  Emerge Maine has provided a few surprises to me thus far. These surprises are a benefit of this amazing program that I never considered when I applied to take part and I am most grateful for them.

I think it is important for women to be involved in politics because women are smart and extremely strong. When I say strong, I do not mean it in a physical sense.

One of the most interesting facts I have learned recently is that 47% of Members of Congress are millionaires. That is compared to less than 1% of the average Joes that make up the rest America.