love this logo? we’re selling shirts here.
Week Two
(Did you miss the first week? It’s ok, you can find it here.)
Welcome to week two of Read. Resist. Vote! If you’re able to, I hope you join me in donating the equivalent of a cup of coffee to these amazing campaigns because after what we saw last night during the “debate”, donating to progressive candidates is my new form of self-care. Why?
We need to do more than just hope our candidates win. We need to read about these candidates; resist any attempt to block our voices, and; vote them into office. Because our lives depend on it.
The Candidates
Colorado – Representative Brianna Titone
About the Candidate: Representative Brianna Titone currently represents the 27th District for the state of Colorado’s House of Representatives. She has blazed a path as Colorado’s first transgender lawmaker. A super fascinating fact is that she brings her background in all of the sciences and volunteers with NecroSearch International which assists law enforcement in the location of clandestine graves and the documentation and recovery of evidence (including human remains).
What are you Reading? Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Headley
What do you like about it? From the first sentence ‘Bro! Tell me we still know how to talk about kings!’, this book marked itself as different. It sings with a life traditionally not associated with the old epic poem about heroes and kings, reimagining the story through the lens of a mother’s tragic love. It’s both gripping and enjoyable, and without a doubt a perfect book for the moment.
Where can we donate? Through this secure donation page.
Tennessee – Gabby Salinas
About the Candidate: Gabby Salinas let me ask her to do this after I slid into her DMs on Twitter so you already know she’s responsive as heck. She is running to represent the state of Tennessee’s House District 97. She came to Memphis as a child and was treated at St. Jude’s for cancer and as an adult she went back to work at St. Jude’s as a scientist in the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics. Can someone please send me a box of tissues or donations to her site? Thanks.
What are you reading? My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
What’s it about? This is Gloria Steinem’s memoir that also talks about her childhood on the road and her personal growth and also the growth of a revolutionary movement for equality–and the story of how surprising encounters on the road shaped both.
Where can we donate? Via our dedicated Act Blue page.
Kansas – Dr. Barbara Bollier
About the Candidate: Dr. Barbara Bollier is running to represent Kansas in the United States Senate which is a BFD. Her win could help progressives wrest control away from M*tch McC*nnell which is so, so, so, monumental. I really think that her website states what she’s about best:
Barbara Bollier became a doctor to help people. She went into public service to fix things that were broken. And she will be a United States Senator who does both.
Mic. Drop.
What are you reading? Einstein’s God: Conversations about Science and the Human Spirit by Krista Tippett
What drew you to this book? As a physician and woman of faith, the mystery of this world is beautiful and this book truly inspires me to celebrate and explore that which seems unexplainable.
Where can we donate? Via this Act Blue page.
Pennsylvania – Jessica Benham
About the Candidate: Jessica Benham is the Director for Development for the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy (PCAA) showing us that amazing things happen in Pennsylvania besides cheese steaks (aka my favorite sandwich, don’t @ me). She is running to represent Pennsylvania’s 36th House District. I’m a public administration student (me, Natalia, not Jessica) and I love her platform on infrastructure and recommend all Pennsylvanians read it and ask their elected officials what they’re doing.
What are you reading? Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
What about it is intrigues you? Although I don’t have a ton of time for reading now, I’ve been enjoying this book because it reminds me of what we’re fighting for: a just world founded in care for others.
Where can we donate? Via my Act Blue page.
Pingback: Read. Resist. Vote | Feminist Book Club