THE POLITICAL IS PERSONAL

For every dress I wore standing at the school bus stop in a winter snow storm. For every school sport in which I was not welcome. For the school counselor who, when I shared I wanted to be a biochemist, told me that I should be a special education teacher to use my science expertise.

For every paycheck I took home that was less because as a single mother I was not a (male)head of household/breadwinner. For every debate about whether business pantsuits, rather than dresses, might be acceptable work attire. For every time in a meeting I made a suggestion that received no response until, sometime later, a male colleague made the same suggestion. For the client that suggested I have a male staff person sign my letter to his boss so his (male) boss would pay attention.

For every quiet, personal doubt as the only female on an all male staff - one of few female staff in the entire country. For every time I sang "I Am Woman" for courage on my way to face an all male board or boss to resolve conflict on behalf of my clients. For never before having revealed that fact to even those closest to me.

For all those things and thousands more, large and small, the political is personal. On behalf of my generation and those strong women from the past upon which we stood...HALLELUJAH and thank you for persevering Hillary Clinton. May we all take a moment to celebrate and appreciate how truly remarkable the accomplishment today is for all women. May we celebrate again in November, Madam President.

DEAR TRUMP PROTESTORS

Dear Trump Protesters:

I get it. I really do; both the anti-Trump gut-wrenching feeling and the need to DO something. In my opinion Trump is a malignant narcissist and as President would bring this country to its knees. And protesting? Been there in every decade since the sixties.

Yet this time, there is an action you can take that would really make a difference, not just make a public spectacle. Even better this plan is peaceful, democratic and, best of all, likely to actually defeat Trump. You see, protesting, even peacefully, feeds Trump's inherent narcissism. Less than peaceful protests let both Trump supporters, and others, hear the destruction and miss the message.

So I propose you still gather (call it a protest if you wish) outside Trump events. But instead of shouting slogans, waving signs and risking out of control behavior by even a few errant protestors -  register voters. This seems simple and for some the work of election democracy is not nearly as glamorous as the chanting, waving, media attention grabbing protest. However, if you truly want to stop Trump, then it is the ballot box which is the final barrier. If Trump breaches the ballot box, all the protest in the world will be useless.

Try this three step program instead:

First, learn how to register in your state. Know the rules backward and forward and upside down. (You are registered, aren't you?)

Second, register everyone you see protesting Trump. (If they are protesting and are not registered to vote, shame on them!) If you can, give out registration cards, wait as they are filled out and turn them in. Bring a registrar if possible. If voters must register in person at a specific place, make sure that complete voter registration information is on a handy, small card you an give out. Hand them out by the thousands; including before and after any rally. And do the same any place where people gather. Offer rides. Go along. Buy coffee.

Third, join your local democratic campaign. Workers who will register voters, go door-to-door, make phone calls, stuff envelopes, put up yard signs and dozens of other tasks are always needed. Glamour? No. Effective? Yes.

Elections are not won by crowds, either at rallies or in protests, but by voters who actually vote on election day. Never lose sight of that fact.