A Hail to the Women Who Went Before Me

Last night I joined the American Red Cross as a volunteer.

Again.

Okay, technically I never left. I just changed chapters to reflect the fact that I don't live where I used to live.

I decided to start over, just like a brand spankin' new volunteer who has never before taken a CPR course, or taught a Disaster Education class, or led a committee. Or, for that matter, been up close an personal with chapter politics. (Hoping to avoid that this time around - what a waste of time.)

I love the Red Cross. These thousands of volunteers do amazing things in horrible circumstances every day somewhere in the world. No matter what, no matter who...if there is a need, the Red Cross is there. I love being a part of that.

So there I was, back in orientation being reminded of the honor of serving with these fine men and women when the woman leading the class made the following comment:

"75 years ago to the day that Hillary Clinton addressed the Democratic Convention in 2008, the suffragettes turned over this building to the American Red Cross. They no longer needed it...they'd won the fight."

They most certainly did win the fight. Not the war. But definitely the fight.

And so as I sat there, reflecting on those women who came before me I thought also of my daughter I made this solemn promise:

I will do everything in my power to make sure that their fight was not, and will never be, in vain.

NL