...I would have posted this in the GD discussion except I am going with one of the guests he is honoring and she needs some Healing. Her name is Jean Colman and a dear friend of mine who is retiring as Director in the organization I volunteer for, Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition. I am honored to go as her sister. Here is the website of this wonderful organization:
http://www.wroc.org. You will see a pic of me protesting if you dig around if you ever wanted to know what I looked like, lol. Jean is the heart of this organization. I do not know how we are going to survive without her, because, even though the Work is important, few organizations around the country are taking up this work, we struggle and struggle just to keep it above ground.
Come to think of it, why WOULDN'T welfare moms and poor disabled people expect not to struggle even if we are doing the Work of the Universe?
Anyways, I am posting here because Jean is going through bone marrow cancer, in chemo several times a week, and it is sapping her strength.
In case people don't know who Representative Jim McDermott is, he went to Iraq before the beginning of the war with some friends of mine from In The Wilderness and Physicians and Lawyers For Social Responsibility. He was highly ridiculed for trying to stop the war. They called him "Baghdad Jim". Jim has been right all along and is being vindicated at this time. He is my Representative in the US Congress ~ I am very proud of what he has done.
I am also proud of Jean, but worried because she is weakening fast and deserves this honor for her lifelong dedication to poverty work and her unending ability to love (with a dose of caustic humor for all politicians and the legislative process, lol). In my neck of the woods she is under the radar but still a valuable member of the "Old Girl's Network" in politics as she has been for over 30 years. She is a respected foe and outspoken critic of anyone whether progressive or not when it comes to the ignorance of poverty and what can be done that isn't, lol. She and our governor go way back (Christine Gregoire) and they have mutual respect for one another, but Jean is right on around poverty issues while Christine is, well shall we say your typical politician and not very cognizant about people in need. Jean sees it as her duty to enlighten Christine in every way she can, lol.
Jean could use some Healing Light so that tomorrow night when she stands in the spotlight, which she abhors, she gets the kudos she deserves. You would think someone like her would say, "It's about time!" But instead she told me she is wondering if she will be able to make it through.
She deserves all the prayers she can get!
And if you have it in you, WROC can always use some Love ~ it is a 501 C and contributions are tax deductible.
Thanks!
Cat In Seattle