This post contains potentially triggering content about sexual assault
Women are resilient and powerful beyond measure. Let's face it--we'd be 1000% better off with Kamala Harris in office just as I and many others knew we would. Harris stood for Democracy, respected and cherished our allies, and understood the importance of rights for all people. Her main concern was the challenges that the working class citizens face every day and the vulnerability of the young and aging. Harris was on the side of a woman's right to choose, as well as understanding that Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid is an American right and must be protected. She had the intention to increase taxes for the wealthiest to close the biggest gap this country has ever had in wealth disparity, which is growing bigger by the day now.
Kamala Harris would have appointed an experienced, educated, and diverse cabinet that would've included women of expertise. She would not be owned by Putin and Musk as the orange guy absolutely is and fill a cabinet with hacks, sexual predators, charlatans, and vastly inexperienced weirdos for high-security jobs. Why have we gone backwards and why can't the majority of people elect a woman (especially when that woman is abundantly more educated, experienced, sane, and capable without a long rap sheet) as President of these United States? Powerful women (held to a higher standard) throughout history that accomplished great things have not received the praise they deserve but powerful women of color have had to work even harder for their achievements. I say all this because it has relevance in real time and when historians look back at this time, they will wonder how a convicted felon/rapist/fraud and dangerous dictator won out over a highly-qualified and sane stateswoman.
Everyone from Marie Currie, Maya Angelou, Cleopatra, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Jane Austen to beloved Michelle Obama (naming a few) have been and are powerful influencers. Obviously there are too may to list but in contemporary times, I believe Michelle
Obama represents the epitome of an empowered and powerful woman. She is highly educated, brilliant, gracious, and enormously engaging. A perfect example of this was shown in her speech at the Democratic National Convention for Kamala Harris. She was a force! An incredible wife and mother, she never waivered in her protection and support toward her family. I don't think the majority of people realize just how much the Obamas had to deal with during their time in the White House. There was disgraceful racism and death threats. Regardless, as first lady, Michelle was kind, productive, and involved. They carried on with dignity, grace, and working hard every day for the people with great respect for our Veterans and working people. What we have now is the opposite of integrity, expertise, and intelligence. Worse, its an authoritarian coup surrounded by stupidity, cowards, and loyalists. And, shockingly, the women that kiss the ring of the world's biggest misogynist and fraud is beyond my understanding.
Truthfully, I am terrified not just for me personally as someone on SSI and Medical but for American citizens as a whole being hurt or worse by this administration. I'm deeply aware of the strain and struggle it is to make ends meet on a fixed income. I lost a lot during a health crisis and I am not alone in this. Many are scared of what may come, which includes retirement investments. My hope is that more women stand up in power against this disgraceful administration filled with sexual predators (including in our corrupt Supreme Court).
I have been a victim of sexual assault twice physically and once verbally. I was only eleven years old when molested by a stranger and nearly raped by a serial rapist in my 20's where I was threatened to be killed if I didn't stay quiet. It's unspeakable trauma and it stays with you. The women who've been brave enough to come forward to accuse men who've assaulted them go through hell. And if the man has money and power like Trump, they are treated abominably as if they deserved the abuse. It still occurs in 2025, where the rights for women have deeply declined. E Jean Carroll won her case by a jury and 27 other women brave enough to come forward will probably never have their day in court. It's so very shameful.
If it were up to me, I would have been in total support of not one woman attending the inauguration in solidarity for all the women that have been victims of sexual assault. Everyone should find it dishonorable to see a rapist and lifetime sexual predator in the WH, let alone counting all his other crimes and the fact that he is a traitor. It's time for more women to be empowered in politics and as President so we can be the United States of America again.
Growing up in Miami and the island, Key Biscayne, I experienced an early loss of a mother, a fragmented upbringing, sexual assault, financial challenge, and surviving cancer twice, my self esteem waivers. Low self esteem is common enough amongst women. I am keenly aware that I am strong, a survivor and unafraid of risk for creative pursuits, but trauma takes a toll and I fall from time-to-time. Lately, I've fallen further and find it hard to cope personally and due to the dangerous situation this country is in. Loneliness is an epidemic in this country and I check all the boxes. I'm so grateful for women friends who in their own right are powerful and resilient beyond belief. My dad would say, "If you go through life with a handful of friends that stay by you through it all, you are fortunate indeed". I am fortunate for decades-long friendship.
What are you able to do to stand-up and resist? My goal is to make a call every day on a particular issue. I've included links for you. The worry many of us feel for our safety (as all protection agencies are being gutted). livelihood, and health and well-being that includes our health insurance, we need to find ways to speak up and resist. I have listed sites below that I am using. 5calls.org is easy and quick. You can choose the issues you are concerned about. You only have to put your zip code in and Senators in your district will come up to call. I left messages. Calls are powerful right now and it takes 5 minutes. Let's stand-up for women and stand up against misogyny and autocracy!
It's important to be kind to oneself, especially in these distressing times. What do you do on a daily basis for self-care. I take breaks from the news. I choose to be informed but then turn it off for my own sanity and self-care. For example: I make sure to keep up with all my exercise 5 days a week, morning meditations, early morning tea in a quiet moment, walking my kitty, coffee with friends, the ballet, volunteer work, enmeshing in nature, and dreaming about getting back into a warm aqua blue ocean to find my mermaid tail again.
Keep on swimming through life,
Valerie Anne
It is challenging to maintain hope during this time but your post is so encouraging!!