08/20/2024
Hey Great People!
"Your Dreams. They’re meant to live, to breathe, and to be brought to life; dreams and dust."Lori
As I reflect on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), I’m reminded of the power that democracy holds—the power to create opportunities, to lift people up, and to turn dreams into reality. Democracy isn’t just about politics; it’s about people. It’s about giving every individual, no matter their background, the chance to succeed, to thrive, and to pursue their dreams. I want this for all my sisters across the world: Africa, UK, Canada and the USA where I sit and live with a— love globally.
For me, democracy has been the foundation that allowed me to go from a young girl facing overwhelming odds to the successful woman I am today. My journey wasn’t easy. I was a sexually abused girl, a teen mom of 2 babies, raised in poverty, a teen domestic violence survivor, with no father in the home and a mother who struggled emotionally and financially to provide, even when the deepest odds were against me over and over, it was DEMOCRACY that gave me a chance. Free lunch programs in school weren’t just a helping hand—they were a lifeline. This plan that democracy provides saved my life, fueling me with the nourishment I needed to keep going, to keep dreaming, even when the world around me seemed determined to hold me back.
I carried a lot of baggage—with a struggle to just get my high school diploma even though I was drivena nd a smart student it was so hard many days.... and the weight of single motherhood, and the stigma that society often places on women like me. But what democracy gave me was a chance. A chance to redefine myself... a US Army nursing military career, a first time homeowner at age 25, actually more than one, those 2 babies as a teen who went to become a college graduate plus a master's degree, children who became entrepreneurs, to rise above my circumstances, and to create a future that wasn’t dictated by my past.
Through hard work, perseverance, and the opportunities that were afforded to me, I was able to build 3 successful businesses over 26 years, empower other women, and live out the dreams that once felt so far out of reach. My story is proof that no matter where you start, no matter the challenges you face, democracy gives you the power to change your life. It gives you the freedom to dream big and the opportunity to make those dreams a reality.
The Power of Dreams
Remember that your dreams are powerful, and democracy is the bedrock that allows those dreams to take shape. It’s a system that, at its best, provides every individual woman with the tools they need to succeed, regardless of where you're from, your family background, the ugly struggles, or the obstacles in your way.
Day one of the DNC reminded me of the importance of defending and nurturing our democracy. It’s what ensures that the next generation of dreamers, the young girls and boys who may be facing their own challenges, will have the same opportunities to rise, to thrive, and to turn their dreams into reality.
Your dreams are powerful, and they deserve to be lived.
