US Politics — Women, Here’s How to Get Involved

Getting involved in politics is more than just fun; it’s inclusive, positive, and invigorating, providing a profound sense of agency.

My dad, Lyman Smith, had ambitions of becoming a Senator from California. According to my mom, this dream influenced most of his business decisions. Our family was deeply involved in the Democratic Central Committee in Ventura County, and I learned to “work the room” from a young age.

1970, and since we’re clean, we are probably going to a “function,” my parents’ name for political activities.

I happened to be well-suited for this. A relentless extrovert, I loved shaking hands, meeting people, and hearing their stories. Everyone had a different reason for participating, and I enjoyed discovering what they valued.

Politics often gets a bad rap, but it plays a crucial role in our governance, and the fun is a well-kept secret.

Last night, during the White Women’s Answer the Call Zoom meeting, I was reminded of those feelings from my youth. All the good vibes: wondering if the call content would be useful and questioning if we could really make a difference. Now, as an adult, my contributions need to fit into the rest of my life. Is there something I can do?

The answer to every question I had was yes.

The call was incredibly useful.