Life since the 2016 election has been a series of lows and highs… and lows. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, November 8, 2016 would prove to be a pivotal day not just for our country but for me personally as well. For me, that Election Day heralded a seismic shift in how I spend my days, and ultimately my years. All I knew at the time was that I had to dedicate myself to fighting for the democratic values that I so cherished, and I was fortunate enough to have the time (my kids were getting older, I was ready to get back to work) and resources to do so. And so began my journey that, despite the impetus, has also brought me great joy, community and fulfillment in the years since.  

It all started with a political action group and in the process of running that group, I witnessed the emergence of a remarkable trend of awe-inspiring individuals and organizations at the grassroots and the grass tops standing up to defend and protect our American democracy. I decided to shift gears, and instead focus my energies on spreading the word about these changemakers and chronicling the tremendous political and, yes, patriotic energy of this movement. That was the beginning of New Faces of Democracy.

New Faces of Democracy is a series of conversations with these modern day heroes, regular citizens from all walks of life, who are using their talents and skills to transform the political landscape. In our talks, you will hear their stories and learn about their missions.  They will help keep you motivated and engaged and find ways to get involved, big or small, that feel personally meaningful. We all have a voice in our democracy and there are already paths in place to make it heard.

Who am I? I’m a lawyer, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a descendant of immigrants and a lifelong New Yorker. I have always been so proud to be American, but I’m not proud of where America is today. I believe in the melting pot and the American dream. I believe that true patriots work to find common ground and strive for unity above partisanship. I do this for the country I believe in, a place of inclusivity and possibility for all. I do this for our children who deserve a robust democracy and a healthy planet. I believe all these things are worth fighting for.

After the 2016 election, I read an article by the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman in which he quoted an immigrant friend. His friend remarked, “You Americans kick around your country like it’s a football. But it’s not a football. It’s a Fabergé egg. You can break it.” Those words have haunted me since. We are facing a threat now that makes what we faced back in 2016 seem amateur and shambolic. Sticking our heads in the sand is not a solution. We must find the will to stand up for what we believe in, even when it feels hopeless. Especially then. 

My goal is that New Faces of Democracy will help you find your will to exercise your political voice, inspire you to take action, guide you to communities that can help sustain you, and perhaps even give you hope that there will be a silver lining to this era. If we don’t give up and stay engaged, then maybe, just maybe, our democracy will emerge from this period stronger and more resilient than ever.

So yes, even in the darkest of times, New Faces of Democracy is about hope, and our ability to bring about the change we want to see in our country.