📢 Spotlight on a People Power United Hero
Mina's Journey: From Voter to Passionate Activist
We are thrilled to introduce Mina, one of our dedicated volunteers whose journey into political activism is both relatable and inspiring. Mina is the embodiment of People Power!
Who am I? What’s my story?
Who am I? What’s my story? I am the daughter of a man who was one of many leaders in our community in civil rights and social justice. Our home was a gathering place for people taking action to integrate our community and to oppose the war in Vietnam, our dining room table a place to stuff envelopes and send out important communication, and our streets a place to march for civil rights and against the war in Vietnam. Down my street lived my best friend’s family. Her mother was my teacher in an experimental program in high school. She engaged us in feminist support groups and teachings and took us on field trips to learn about social justice. I was surely born at the right place in the right generation.
As I went on with my life, and most importantly, raised an intelligent, beautiful, and loving daughter, I did everything I could so that she would have the best life possible. When she moved on to her adult life, I continued my career in Mental Health and Addiction Counseling which I had begun when she was a toddler. As a Licensed Counselor I worked as a probation officer with a specialized caseload of people with serious and persistent mental illnesses, and later as a resource person for people transitioning out of the prison system who had severe mental illness and nowhere to go upon release. I provided counseling for nurses, some who diverted drugs, most who were addicted to alcohol and/or drugs; for pregnant and post partum women with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems; and supervised a six month residential facility for men with addictions; in general working with people who had experienced a lot of trauma. I loved my life's work, advocating and providing therapy and case management services for people with mental health and substance abuse issues.
I started paying attention to politics when Barack Obama was running for President. We shared many values and beliefs and I wanted him to win. I was caring for my mother while working full time and on-call 7 days a week. I cried happy, joyous tears when Barack Obama became President of the United States. Watching the Obamas in Grant Park was a homecoming.
Eight years later, watching Trump at 2 or 3 am come down that escalator was disturbing to my very core. I cried sad and fearful tears watching him in the middle of the night. I was in shock like so many others. My father watched in abject horror as Trump got elected. He died within a few weeks. I don’t think he could bear it, being a man who spent his life serving others and fighting for peoples' civil rights.
I don’t know how I got connected to Laurie Woodward Garcia. Someone must have realized I was available to write. I started with NEAZ, the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats, writing postcards weekly, and then with the Pinellas County Democratic party writing notes to enclose with literature they were hanging on doors. I got moved to making packets of rubber bands, possibly because I made too many errors.
I remember listening to Laurie on a Zoom meeting, saying we were a scrappy bunch of people who pasted labels over other labels and re-used postcards if needed, as we had no budget and we worked with what we had. We didn’t have a budget but we were on a mission. That was where I belonged. I could start writing postcards to people and if I made a mistake, I could put a label over it, and I literally did. I hoped that people would hear what I was saying and accept the imperfections.
In the fall of 2023 I invested in stamps, postcards, pens, highlighters, scissors, glue, labels, envelopes, copy paper, post it notes, a lavender woven basket to hold my supplies, a printer, and wi-fi for the printer. I set a goal of 2,000 postcards and letters and soon my emails were filled with requests for help. I was committed to doing my part in seeing that Trump never set foot in the White House again. It was a little like Forrest Gump running across the country, I just couldn't stop writing. In 2023 I didn’t know what Zoom was. When Laurie said to go on Substack I mistakenly downloaded a different writing app and painstakingly searched for People Power United without success. I didn’t know how to use the Chromebook I bought, so I did everything with my old android phone. When I first started writing letters I had a fractured pelvis and I would have to go to Office Depot to stand in line to print, and I cried in physical pain while I printed as I was committed to doing something. The printer I purchased has been a delight, despite my having to learn over and over how to fix problems which occur everyday.
A few years ago I was reading a Buddhist author's book about being disabled and continuing to contribute to the community. I learned that it is okay to say yes to what I want to do, and no to what I couldn't do, and that it was okay that in the course of a day if that fluctuated. I could work propped up in bed, with Sarah, my cat, and I could say no to a meeting if I wasn't up for it. That's what I needed to start volunteering. I knew I couldn't knock on doors, or make phone calls, but I could write in a way that was comfortable and accommodated my body and spirit.
For the past nine months I have said yes to many groups who requested my help, even if it was for one important primary. I learned all Democratic candidates mattered. I wrote every week for NEAZ because they are positive, uplifting, and dedicated for the long term to their mission. I did things I didn’t want to do because they needed to be done. I do things I don’t know how to do (yet) because I am asked. I surpassed 2,000 postcards and letters and set a new limit of 6,000. I didn’t stop because there were more people to reach. I have written to more than 10,500 people and I meant every word I wrote. Trump is the antithesis of everything I believe in, and Kamala Harris shares my many of my beliefs and values and is ready to be our President.
I can not begin to tell you how inspiring Laurie Woodward Garcia has been to me. She sets an example of how to conduct myself in this contentious election year. She is fearless, relentless, kind, patient, supportive, and direct, and she puts up with more than I can imagine. I am hopeful we will celebrate our first woman President of the United States of America, that Kamala Harris will be in one of those Black jobs. I have another 1,200 cards and letters I am committed to writing. It is October 2nd so I will get back to writing and I hope you will also do something that will move us closer to electing Kamala Harris to the office of President of the United States of America.
Today’s Calls-to-Action
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Our communities are stronger when we come together, united in purpose and determined to uplift everyone in our communities to vote and thrive. I hope you can join us at one of our upcoming People Power United events:
Postcards and Letter Writing to Voters
Tuesday and Wednesday
https://www.mobilize.us/peoplepowerunited/event/714999/
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Every Tuesday at noon Eastern time
https://www.mobilize.us/peoplepowerunited/event/643588/
Progressive Issues Activism
Wednesday, 8:00 PM Eastern time https://www.mobilize.us/peoplepowerunited/event/557129/
People Power United Updates
Our group is growing by leaps and bounds! Folks understand that with love in our hearts and hard work, we will reclaim our nation from cruelty, chaos, and confusion. We are having fun making impactful changes in our community! In case you missed it, this past week was busy:
We sent a letter to STOP THE SWAP OF WITHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST LAND.
We updated the home page of our Substack blog newsletter. Your feedback is always appreciated.
We issued Daily Stop Project 2025 Briefings
We issue Daily Supreme Court News Briefings
We issued a Reproductive Freedom for All - News Briefing
Updates can be found here.
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Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry! Check out our 2023 recap post to see how impactful our scrappy People Power United group is!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progressive values and power for the people. The 2024 election depends on us, and we are attempting to persuade people to vote for Freedom over Fascism. If you wish to support our efforts, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to our Substack Newsletter.
It's very nice to learn more about what inspires my very productive and kind neighbor. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication.
Wonderful background Mina. Great house and family you had instilling social and civic action. Thank you for all that you do. You're a democracy hero. Love your cat picture......she must be tired helping you write postcards. ❤️😁