Calling with babies.

I don’t have kids myself. Perhaps that is why I am so elated when kiddos come to our office with their parents. 

Last week we had a little four month old girl come to a night of calling with her mother. (I spent a good portion of the evening calling with a sleeping baby on my lap!)

As I called other women in the 8^th CD that night and heard babies crying or kids refusing to eat dinner or giggles of bedtime shenanigans, I felt an incredible resolve to talk to these families about why the elections mattered to them.

This is bigger than a victory on election night. This is about women talking to other women about what we need in Minnesota for women and families to succeed- paid time off to care for a sick child, paid paternity leave, affordable childcare.

It is so compelling and honest to watch our Duluth office fill to the brim each Monday and Thursday with a group of women ready to work. The elections aren’t the answer to the big daunting problems we face. But they are a start. They are a place we gather to share what isn’t working, and begin talking about what we can do next.

We don’t know the outcome of November 4^th yet, but we do know how we are getting there. We are working hard, building a community and laying a foundation from which we build after the election.

And in this election work there is room for us to come as whole people: as women, men, parents, people who struggle, and people who know this work doesn’t end November 4^th.  And yes, please bring your kids.

P.S.  As much as I love to hold babies, I know I am needed on the phones. Starting on September 25^th we’ll be providing childcare. If you’re in the Duluth area, check out our schedule and join us!