Spring in Maine - by Allison Ouellet, Class of 2010

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.

At my first Emerge Maine class, I, like my daffodils, felt a little behind.  Some of the women in the room knew they were running for office and were already planning their campaigns.  Not so for me.  I had a vague idea that someday I might like to run. 

By the second class, even more of my classmates had caught the bug and they too were off and running.  How can one not be empowered to take the leap and campaign after being a part of Emerge?  The speakers are inspiring women who have made it clear that they face similar challenges and daily issues just like the rest of us.  And they all have one common theme – serving in public office has been the most exciting, rewarding, and challenging undertaking of their lives.  And none of them would trade it for anything.  Emerge also provides its participants with valuable tools that take a lot of the fear and guesswork out of campaigning.  For example, our very first training tackled public speaking head-on with a great workshop led by the Allegory Training Company.

So yes, I’ve been inspired.  Is this my season?  No.  But someday it will be, and I’ll have a great network of ladies to call upon.  Just because I, like my daffodils, might be a little behind, we will still be glorious when its our time, and until then, we’ll be in good company watching our “emerging” neighbors come to full bloom.