On January 20, 1961, a clerk of the US Supreme Court held the Fitzgerald family Bible as John F. Kennedy took the oath of office to become the nation’s 35th president. John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service.
By Sylvia Rodriguez
His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good.
What do those words mean to you?
As a product of a non-political family, I did not understand the sheer magnitude of what the new president was asking of our country in 1961.
Fast forward to 2022, 61 years later and now I understand the depth that our 35th president what doing as he pleaded with the country. For each citizen to have a personal stake in the country he fought so hard to be President of.
A long-standing theme within all sorts of volunteer organizations and political organizations alike. There are a need and people who are the movers and shakers step up. They selflessly give of themselves for the greater good. We all know them team moms and dads, snack or room parents, coaches, administration, that mom who is the head of everything, to the dad who gets of work to run an organization. All so that he may ensure everyone is represented and no one or nothing falls thru the cracks. These people are the ones who impact is day to day life in many ways these are the overlooked heroes.
If we are lucky these heroes take their dream and drive one step further and run for office. Where the impact is felt on a greater level, that passion cannot be matched or duplicated. There are one term politicians who fake it but when the honeymoon phase is over, and the constituents can see the truth.
One of these heroes I would like to highlight is Roxanne Martinez, a mom that is unapologetically “that mom.” Per her Facebook she is a cancer survivor, booster club president, community advocate etc. etc.
Her latest accolade is now the District 9 Trustee for Fort Worth ISD, a mover and shaker within her community long before her title became official with Fort Worth ISD. We are all able to have influence in people’s lives. The only difference with politicians is that they actually pay and raise money to voice their opinions and make a change.
Today is a day of change, Election Day.
Do you remember your first brush with politics?
Do you remember the first time you voted?
Do you remember how you felt in that moment?
Have you voted?
Do you know where?
Are you “That Mom or Dad?”
Do you feel a pull to run for office?
Are you the change we need to see?
If any of these questions tugged on your heart or you have always had an inkling to run for office, I urge you to do so.
We need you. Our country needs you. We need the movers and shakers on the ballot for next election. Take that leap of faith.
Remember even John F Kennedy had to give himself a peptalk to become and even run for President. The je ne sais quoi is not something that cannot be duplicated you either have the passion or you do not.
The movers and shakers in my life some of which I have highlighted in my “Community Organizations “series all have the passion. Now friends which of you will continue your plight and be the change in a larger sector? What difference can you make for the public good?
Helpful Voter Links
https://www.tarrantcounty.com/en/elections.htmlhttps://gisit.tarrantcounty.com/TCVL/
https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/where.htmlhttps://ballotpedia.org/How_to_run_for_office_in_TexasCurrent Elections Information List