Like so many Americans, I was mystified and depressed when Donald Trump was elected. But the first Chico Women’s March got me motivated to do something, and in early February 2017, I went to see a dear friend in Sonoma. She warned me that we “just gotta do this thing in Napa.” Would I go too?
The “thing” was Delaine Eastin’s “Meet & Greet” to announce her campaign for California governor. We walked in saying to each other, “No one can beat Gavin, but the tea, cookies and champagne will be fun.”
I walked out saying, “I’m dedicating my next year and a half to getting Delaine elected.” Activism was ignited. Delaine Eastin had become my HERo.
And so it began. Bringing Delaine to the Chico library in April 2017, joining all the Democratic and progressive groups that I could to spread the word about this smart, ethical, experienced woman. I joined Democratic Action Club of Chico, Mobilize, the CD1 Democratic Alliance, and went to any Our Revolution and Indivisible meetings I could get to. It’s been a fun journey, even after the 2016 presidential election that had wiped the smile off my face for days.