RFS feel-good update (11/27): Monday motivation
Welcome to the final stretch
Hi all -
I hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating Thanksgiving holiday!
Welcome back to the final stretch of 2023 — a sprint to the finish line. Need some motivation?
The Messenger has a truly excellent deep-dive on how Run for Something school board candidates are “making school boards boring again” and beating Moms for Liberty big-time all across the country. This is the best summation of our work yet, and hammers home why we can’t stop now.
“[Moms for Liberty founders] told The Messenger in a statement that the group is “just getting started when it comes to helping equip pro-parental rights candidates to run for school board.””
If you want to learn more about our 50 State School Board Strategy, just reply to this email and I’ll send you the full prospectus. It’s never been more important!
Some other great stories from across the RFS community to get you pumped for the work ahead:
Carrie Budzinski is 35, works full-time, has two young kids, and is the first Black elected official on the Livonia, MI, city council. She’ll give voice to the “young, working mother’s perspective.” I love this.
Politico talks to “the twentysomething mayor-elect making history in Indiana.”
Berkeley City Councilmember Terry Taplin tells a beautiful story of how his experience with his mom informs his leadership: “My caretaking work sits at the core of my vision of service. Experiencing the deterioration of my mother’s health, while most of my peers who remain in Berkeley are likewise living intergenerationally as caretakers, compelled me to enter public service.”
As a Palestinian and Muslim woman in the GA state assembly, Rep. Ruwa Romman has used her power to bring communities together across the state.
Travis County DA José Garza is piloting a new program that keeps kids charged with assaulting caregivers out of jail — a first-of-it’s-kind initiative that could save and change lives.
This is an awesome interview with Dr. Aditi Bussells, Columbia SC city councilwoman, on how her experience in public health has shaped her leadership.
New TN Rep. Aftyn Behn is working to abolish the state’s grocery tax.
Thanks to the leadership of NY Sen. Zellnor Myrie, New York is the 12th state to have Clean Slate legislation - any one who finishes their sentence and remains crime-free for a period of time has their criminal records automatically sealed.
NC Rep. Ashton Clemmons is fired up, ready to tackle the childcare crisis by increasing compensation for caregivers.
Austin City Councilmember Zohaib Qadri is pushing forward on eliminating parking minimums for new developments as a meaningful step toward combatting climate change.
Looking for some excellent holiday gifts? New merch dropped in our online store just before Thanksgiving — our 20% off sale ends tomorrow! (I immediately bought both long sleeve shirts and can’t wait to wear them to storytime at the library.)
Thanks for making this possible. We’ve still got big stuff coming before the year ends — you’re the reason why!
- Amanda