POLITICAL ACTIVISM OF OLDER WOMEN IN RURAL AMERICA

Most of us are female retirees from professions where we looked forward to relaxing in the country and doing whatever we wanted. While we were dedicated to our full-time jobs, we also loved and raised our children, cared for our husbands, and were involved in our favorite charities. We did it all, often to the point of exhaustion. There's a smattering of men volunteering, but women, mostly older women, dominate the meetings and marches. We chose to retire to the beautiful Hill Country, far from our careers and the hustle and bustle of cities. We looked forward to spending more time with our grandchildren and pursuing hobbies. Then, November 8, 2016, happened. We were shocked that our candidate lost, but our anger at who won surpassed our shock. A man, now President, spews vileness and vindictiveness with every tweet and speech he makes. We're horrified at what his so-called leadership has done to our beloved country. It has propelled us to "do something." We live in an area where the vast majority are Republicans--the redneck Republicans, the wealthy Republicans, and the evangelical Republicans. We began joining groups composed of people with "like minds." We joined marches with our hand-printed signs, which has become a new "hobby" for many of us. We organized and participated in political meetings, rallies, and town halls. We became the leaders of various political organizations. We donated money to the people running for office. We wrote letters, knocked on doors, and made countless phone calls to awaken voters. We became political activists in our communities despite being the minority. Our anger and patriotism propelled us to do something about the deteriorating state of our country. If we could work 8-12 hours at our jobs every day for 50 years, go to college, raise children, take care of our husbands, and still volunteer at our favorite charities, we could handle anything.

For those not yet of a "certain age," you will discover that you become more invisible with each passing year. It's a weird feeling to remember being at the top of your professional life at one time, only to realize as you age that many ignore you and discount your input. The way we're treated doesn't stop us, though. It only energizes us more. We've lived a long life and are more robust for the tough times we endured. We'll continue fighting hard in the background against racism, misogynism, and bigotry and for the support of our most vulnerable. Our motto at Llano County Democratic Party is "compassion, inclusion, and action." We won't give up. We hold our heads high, knowing our actions are for the greater good. We're on the right side of history, no matter what happens in the mid-terms or with the fake President in the White House. I'm proud to be part of our "tribe." We might not change the entire world, but never underestimate the power of a pissed-off woman. You haven't seen anything yet!