GoWomen: Seasons of Gratitude

With the Thanksgiving holiday behind us we are firmly in the midst of the holiday season. For me, it is also a season of gratitude. This time of year, I often begin to think about all of the things I’m grateful for- first and foremost: I am thankful for those who joined us both in person and virtually for Undivided Power in Resistance! The conversation featuring Margaret Atwood and April Ryan was poignant, timely, and, at times, humorous. The discussion centered on the current state of affairs for women, but also touched upon Margaret’s interest in history and the role history has played in her work throughout her career. In particular, her writing is based on her research into how dictators and dictatorships are formed.

When asked how women of all backgrounds can come together in these critical moments, Margaret responded, “You’re doing it. Look at where you are.”

Looking around me at that moment, I was honored to be in the room with so many of our CFW supporters, funders, and partners. A special energy is felt in a room full of CFW family and community. I felt warmth, excitement, and pride in being among like-minded individuals. Our shared commitment to equity and justice is the throughline that ties us all together. As we stand in community, undivided, I know that we can, and we will, channel our power to topple the barriers erected to divide us.

I’m filled with gratitude for those that have come before us and laid the groundwork for our work, especially as we’ve come out of a midterm election that has defied expectations. We made our voices heard here in Illinois, working undivided to keep our state a safe haven for all women. Not to mention the wave across the country, with all 50 states now having elected to send a woman to Washington. So far, 62 women have already won statewide elected offices, including Governor. They will join the 27 women already serving as statewide elected officials who were not up for reelection in 2022. At least 135 women will serve in the 118th Congress in 2023—that number will likely grow—over a dozen women remain in Congressional contests too close to call. Twelve women will serve as Governors in 2023, a new record. Arkansas, New York, and Massachusetts elected their first female governors. Vermont, sent the state’s first woman and first LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from that state. Here in Illinois, the number of LGBTQ officials increased by ten percent – from 50 to 54.

Voters in California, Michigan, and Vermont enshrined reproductive rights in their state constitutions, and in Kentucky voters said no to a proposal that would have rejected abortion protections in the state constitution. Also coming up short was a Montana abortion-related referendum that raised the prospect of criminal charges for healthcare providers who provide abortions.

There is still work to be done, but we are still here and will always strive for justice. We forge on changing hearts and minds, building a movement – undivided.

Sending love and light,