Oh Hello, Change. We've Been Waiting.
I have whiplash from SCOTUS rulings recently.
This is historic. This is monumental. This is a HUGE step in the right direction. Thank you to all the activists who worked tirelessly for this.
To be honest, after SCOTUS struck down the VRA I was feeling pretty doubtful about them striking down DOMA. Glad to be wrong.
Also, last night was so amazing. I wish I had made the drive down to Austin to be a part of that piece of history. Senator Davis is a hero in this state among pro-choice activists. She is an inspiration. And her story is remarkable. She became a single mother at the age of 19, worked two jobs to make ends meet and had aspirations to make a better life for her daughter. One day she picked up a brochure a co-worker laid on her desk for paralegal school at a local community college in Ft. Worth thinking it was the ticket out. She decided to go and after two years she transferred to Texas Christian University where she not only graduated with honors but also graduated first in her class (wow!!). And then she went on to Harvard Law where she also graduated with honors. Prior to last night, I only knew a little about her, always saw signs to vote for her when I was in/around Tarrant County but had no idea how courageous this woman actually is. Apparently, in 2012 or 2011, she staged another filibuster to stop $5 billion in public school cuts. This woman is a machine.
Anyway, after some intense drama last night the SB5 died!! The GOP tried really hard to pass it but they were voting after midnight and the special session was over at 2359. I started sobbing around 2330 because I thought the GOP succeeded but the fight TX Democrats put up was incredible. Also, Senator Zaffirini is apparently a staunch pro-lifer but did not like the SB5 because it restricted women from getting the care they needed. Most of the Democrats there last night were incredible but the quote that has been going around the interweb is from Senator Van De Putte who said, "At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues?"
Here is a video of Cecile Richards (PP president and activist) telling a crowd at the capitol that SB5 is dead:
Is it weird of me that I get emotional about this kind of stuff?? I hope not.
This is historic. This is monumental. This is a HUGE step in the right direction. Thank you to all the activists who worked tirelessly for this.
To be honest, after SCOTUS struck down the VRA I was feeling pretty doubtful about them striking down DOMA. Glad to be wrong.
Also, last night was so amazing. I wish I had made the drive down to Austin to be a part of that piece of history. Senator Davis is a hero in this state among pro-choice activists. She is an inspiration. And her story is remarkable. She became a single mother at the age of 19, worked two jobs to make ends meet and had aspirations to make a better life for her daughter. One day she picked up a brochure a co-worker laid on her desk for paralegal school at a local community college in Ft. Worth thinking it was the ticket out. She decided to go and after two years she transferred to Texas Christian University where she not only graduated with honors but also graduated first in her class (wow!!). And then she went on to Harvard Law where she also graduated with honors. Prior to last night, I only knew a little about her, always saw signs to vote for her when I was in/around Tarrant County but had no idea how courageous this woman actually is. Apparently, in 2012 or 2011, she staged another filibuster to stop $5 billion in public school cuts. This woman is a machine.
Anyway, after some intense drama last night the SB5 died!! The GOP tried really hard to pass it but they were voting after midnight and the special session was over at 2359. I started sobbing around 2330 because I thought the GOP succeeded but the fight TX Democrats put up was incredible. Also, Senator Zaffirini is apparently a staunch pro-lifer but did not like the SB5 because it restricted women from getting the care they needed. Most of the Democrats there last night were incredible but the quote that has been going around the interweb is from Senator Van De Putte who said, "At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues?"
Here is a video of Cecile Richards (PP president and activist) telling a crowd at the capitol that SB5 is dead:
Click to viewIs it weird of me that I get emotional about this kind of stuff?? I hope not.