My Role as an Advocate

I was born into a family that valued advocating for the underdog. Social justice is in my bones. I cannot remember a time that my calendar did not include board work, campaigning, and fighting for one cause or another. At the micro level, being a teacher and a mother has, at times, focused my advocacy lens around issues that are just not good for children. Working as a family advocate, serving on local initiatives in schools, joining the PTA, and working in collaboration with other agencies to provide services to a family are great examples of micro level advocacy efforts. Micro level efforts build confidence in advocates to think bigger and aim higher. In many cases, the opportunities to advocate on a micro level are inherent in our job descriptions.

Micro level advocacy is exciting work. When you work on behalf of ALL children, you have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life who are doing "big picture thinking" for the good of children and families. I get excited to work on campaigns for candidates for state offices, serve on state boards, and rally at the Capitol. Collective voices are powerful voices. Last year I rallied with teachers, plumbers, electricians, police, nurses, and firefighters to raise voice of concern to union workers all over my state. It was electrifying and powerful and it worked!

Community leaders are citizens who are willing to step into the role of leadership. That's it. A willingness to make something better is the key to forging a path to making a difference in your community. When a community leader amasses a knowledge base that can move a conversation forward, a state leader is born. Knowing that you have the experience and expertise that policy makers need to affect positive public policy, I believe we have an obligation to share that. I know many Early Childhood practitioners who have all they need to be effective change agents what they need is mobilization.

That's where I come in! I love to drive a rookie up to the Capitol for an experience with a legislator. I coach them and give them ideas to craft their own advocacy story. I thank them. I do all I can to make the experience a positive one for them, including lunch! I let them know that I still have butterflies in my stomach when asked to do something that is out of my comfort zone. I also share how thrilling it is to see a collective effort come together, like "Early Childhood Day" at the Capitol. Here is a picture of me at last year's rally. I was asked to give a welcome. The day called for high heels and a finger puppet or two, how cool is that?

Personal Advocacy Reflection

Meet my two advocacy buddies! I have a passion for making Minnesota the best state in the nation to raise children. When I say things like that, most people head to the buffet table to escape my enthusiasm. Not these two, nope, they are in it with me. On the left is Paul Winkelaar, the Community Organizer for Education Minnesota, the teacher's union that I have belonged to for more than twenty years. He is a force to be reckoned with, a big dreamer, and a guy who will not take no for an answer. On the right is dear Representative Erin Murphy, the Majority Leader of Minnesota's House of Representatives. She and I are cut from the same cloth. She wears her passion for Minnesota on her sleeve and serves our state as an elected official. We began a professional relationship in 2010. She consults with me on early childhood policy and makes sure I am at important meetings in St. Paul. She wants me to succeed as an advocate. Erin and I took our relationship to new heights this fall when we took a field trip with our grown daughters to go zip lining! When folks this fired up get together, friendship just happens. 

I know the assignment asked for just one person but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to brag about my friend and my Governor, Mark Dayton. He has been more than generous with his time to mentor me on my journey of advocacy. He has taken several opportunities to meet with me and has been very encouraging and supportive of early childhood initiatives in our state. I hope you get to meet him one day, he is terrific and truly wants what is best for families in Minnesota. 

Greetings Walden Colleagues!

Hi, you have found me! So happy to be sharing the Walden journey with you. I am sure that time will fly as we learn how to advocate for children and before  you know it, it will be spring!