Category Archives: Votes for Women

Unknown's avatar

Virginia in the News! First Woman Governor!

by

Virginia’s citizens overwhelmingly voted for Abigail Spanberger to serve as the 75th, and FIRST WOMAN Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Greg and I were fortunate enough to be there for some of the Inauguration Weekend festivities. We drove into Richmond on Friday afternoon and went straight to the Made in Virginia Market, a public, free-to-attend market that featured more than 40 local artisans, small businesses, and food vendors, many minority owned, from across the Commonwealth, The event also featured live musical performance from Virginia artists

The highlight, of course, was to connect with then Governor-Elect Spanberger but we enjoyed supporting these small local businesses. The crowd got bigger as the hour of her anticipated arrival neared and as you can see by the photos, she was just as excited to see us as were to see her!

We were up early the next day in order to get back downtown for the Inaugural Ceremony. By happenstance, we ran into friends from back home, and eagerly waited in the long line to gain entrance to Capitol Square, which we could see through the fence. We were giddy with excitement!

Once we passed through security, we walked by tables loaded with Inaugural Ceremony Programs, heated seat cushions, blankets, hand warmers, and reusable mugs filled with hot chocolate. Perfect for the cold day and to take home as momentos!

Despite the rain and 45 degree temperatures (not bad at all!), we found our seats and settled in. The rain stopped almost exactly as the clock struck noon, and the ceremony began.

First to be sworn in was Jay C. Jones, who made history as the first Black attorney general in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Next was Ghazala Firdous Hashmi who made history as the first Muslin elected to state wide office, the office of Lieutenant Governor. “She was sworn in by placing her hand on the Quran, marking a significant moment of religious diversity in state leadership”.

And finally it was time for the swearing in of Abigail Spanberger who became the “first female governor in Virginia’s 250-year history when she took the oath as the 75th governor. Wearing white in a nod to the suffrage movement, she broke a long-standing gender barrier in the Commonwealth”. 

She noted “It is the honor of my life to stand before you and take the oath today. The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me — I maintain an abiding sense of gratitude to those who worked generation after generation to ensure women could be among those casting ballots, but who could only dream of a day like today”.

She also said “we do not have to see eye-to-eye on every issue in order to stand shoulder-to-shoulder on others”. You can follow this link to read her full remarks.

Tears filled my eyes throughout the ceremony, it was that powerful.

The 75th Inaugural Parade came next with over 40 entrants celebrating the theme “United for Virginia’s Future”.

The parade featured diverse groups including the Virginia National Guard, the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums, the VMI Corps of Cadets, fire fighters, paramedics, and other emergency response workers from across the Commonwealth, local HS and University marching bands, Virginia’s Public University Team Mascots, the Girl Scouts, and Virginia State Park Rangers. Education, youth leadership, and student organizations marched alongside cultural, civic, and community organizations. The full list of entrants can be found here.

A favorite for me was seeing the heritage musicians from the Crooked Road Music Trail, which has sites located primarily in Southwest Virginia. As one of the marching string band members said in a Cardinal News article “I forget that the majority of people in this world don’t really see fiddles and banjos on a regular basis,” Dilg said. “And so just seeing all the looks of joy on everyone’s faces was really cool.”

The last group to come through was the Norfolk State University Marching Band. “Founded in 1975, the award winning Norfolk State University Spartan “Legion” Marching Band located in Norfolk, VA, has made a name for itself as one of the premier Marching Bands in the country. The “Legion” consists of 250 staff and student musicians, dancers, and flags from states nationwide”. This high energy, exciting marching band played “We Are Family” for the newly inaugurated Governor.

The energy and musical excellence were the perfect way to celebrate the end of great day!

Unknown's avatar

For the Health of the Community

by

Just when I was finding the time to get back to blogging, I jumped into a State Senate Campaign!

How did this happen, you might wonder.

Tragically, State Senator Ben Chafin from the 38th District in Southwest Virginia died, as have over 400,000 other Americans, from Covid. My thoughts have been with his family and friends, as my thoughts have been with all those who have suffered in one way or another from this dreaded virus.

The Governor of Virginia called a Special Election to be held on March 23rd, and despite my inordinately full schedule, I decided that I could not let a race go unchallenged. So, I am off and running! If you like, visit my website for information about my platform: Laurie Buchwald for Senate

I’ll take some photos of my socially distanced / masked travels throughout the district and share them when I can. I’ll look forward to visiting you and your blogs in late spring.

Stay Safe! Mask Up! Listen to Dr. Fauci!

Unknown's avatar

One Week From Today!

by

pnd-wm-poster-lgbt

Peter Nowell designed this poster for the Women’s March on Washington.  It is freely available for anyone to share and use.  Peter Nowell, when sharing this design said:

“When I heard about the Women’s March, I felt inspired by the causes behind it and how inclusive it is. Contributing a poster design felt like an opportunity for me to show up for, and support, so many of the people that I love.

Let’s use it to spread the word and inspire even more people to join. You can share it on social media, print it out, remix it… it belongs to all of us”

Thank You, Peter Nowell!

15875891_738174699680567_6523476897903411200_n1

I look forward to marching in DC next week, surrounded by women, men, and children from all over our nation.  I will walk with them, and in spirit with people who will be marching in every state, and in some countries around the world.  I will also walk for those who will not be able to walk whether because of work, finances, or ability.

Women’s March on Washington Unity Principles

I know that Alys from Gardening Nirvana will be marching in San Jose.  Where will YOU be marching?

Unknown's avatar

We’re Still Waiting …

by

I was walking through the dining room one day last week, and was struck by the morning sun streaming through the window, and the shadows that were created.

_MG_1524-3

I’m also struck by the fact that while women achieved the Right to Vote via the 19th Amendment in 1920, we are still not protected by the Constitution.  We’re still waiting …

ERA: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Unknown's avatar

The ERA and the Art of Snow

by

I’m a day late for the Valentines Day love, but I’m right on time for the snow love.

IMG_0440-3

Southwest Virginia is in the midst of another winter storm.  So far, we’ve got 6 inches of unexpected snow, which is soon to be followed by an inch of ice, and I am missing the Equal Rights Amendment Rally at the State Capital.  Did you realize that the ERA has STILL NOT, 100 years later, been ratified?  I’m bummed about that and about missing the rally.

In an effort to keep a positive attitude, I decided to show the snow in a different way.

 How ’bout a little Through the Screen photography?

_MG_0438-4

Or even some Screen Art?

_MG_0435-2

or the abstract Snow on Leaves?

IMG_0442-4

Hang in there, my friends.

Unknown's avatar

Good Friends and Votes for Women!

by

IMG_2122-3

The WordPress world, and the bloggers who live in that world, have been so good to me!  In just a few short days, 5 in fact, according to the countdown widget, I’ll be meeting with women that I’ve come to know through blogging.  Energized excitement is flowing from Canada to New Zealand to California all the way to Virginia and DC.

There are many others who blog on WP that I’ve come to know and love, and today I want to tell you about one of them – cat lovers, pay attention!  Suffragette Kitty is written by Louisa May Alcatt “a reincatation of one of the world’s most notable women”.  LMA is “a tortie with cattatude, who despite a 125-year cat nap, remains passionate about women’s rights”.

A visit to Suffragette Kitty offers a great education about many of history’s notable women.  I’m always inspired and in fact, after reading one post, was moved to donate to Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House.  What a fascinating family the Alcotts were!

Just the other day, the mail carrier delivered inspiration for my campaign from LMA and her publicist (Maureen, the writer of the blog). The Votes for Women items seen in these photos are a reminder that not only was there a time when women were not able to vote; they were also of course, not able to run for office.

LMA tells me that Marmee – Abigail May Alcott – lobbied for a woman’s right to vote from age 16 until her dying day at 77.  While she never lived to see her dream come true, she paved the way for women today.  LMA says “in my opinion, Marmee was an unsung Women’s Rights Activist”.  I love this sachet and hope, that as LMA intended, that it brings me luck.

IMG_2123-2

Thank you, LMA, for this wonderful gift, which brought a huge smile to my face and warmth to my heart.

I feel truly blessed.