Hero of the Week
Some weeks the choice for Hero is abundantly clear. Thanks to regular SJFA follower Voice of the Trailer for nominating the amazing Wendy Davis.
Davis is a Democrat state senator in Texas, a thankless job if ever there was one. When Gov. Rick Perry called a special legislative session specifically to curtail abortion rights, she refused to let his scheme work. The short session was intended to pass a ban on all abortions after 20 weeks, create more burdensome requirements for all abortions, and crush Planned Parenthood in the state. Davis, working with a strong coalition that included Planned Parenthood’s wonderful Cecile Richards, mounted a firm plan of resistance.
Demonstrating what a filibuster ought to be, Davis launched a thirteen-hour speech on the Senate floor, refusing to allow the bill to move forward. Her marathon speech required the use of a back brace before she was done, but she stuck it out. Republicans tried a number of administrative tricks to block her, but she carried on almost to the end. When they finally cut her off with moments to go, dozens of pro-choice supporters in the gallery raised their voices in protest, shouting down any action until the clock ran out on the special session.
Gov. Perry has sworn to try again, but the voices raised against him are strong. Having a true leader like Wendy Davis brought new life to the cause. There’s now a movement to draft her to run against Perry — that would be lovely justice indeed.
Honorable mention goes to the four justices on the Supreme Court who did their best to truly represent the people in their work this week. In the devastating ruling that gutted the Voting Rights Act, Justice Ginsburg delivered a scathing dissent, joined by Justices Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor. All four also voted to overturn DOMA and to preserve Affirmative Action and worked to ensure that Prop 8 was nullified in California. When the highest court in the land is ruled by an opportunist ideologue, their courage and voices for justice are needed more than ever.
Social Justice For All 
Reblogged this on Central Oregon Coast NOW.
Thanks for reblogging today’s posts, Nancy.
Wendy Davis was soooo….. the obvious choice for the Hero of the Week Award. And I am in agreement with your “honorable mentions”, but another honorable mention should go to Letiticia Van De Putte, who came back from her father’s funeral (he had died in a tragic car accident) to support Wendy in the filibuster and was instrumental in drawing the hearing out until midnight. She made 2 statements that got the crowd up on their feet and yelling during the final minutes of the session: “Did the President hear me or did the President hear me and refuse to recognize me?” Then, “At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues?” Van De Putte, particularly with this last statement/question pointed out a truth that is still a fact of life: women’s voices are still not being heard.
Thank you for mentioning another amazing woman and hero of the Texas vote. While Wendy Davis was the focal point, it certainly was a team effort, especially given all the GOP tricks.
The Texas state lawmaker who used an extraordinary one-woman filibuster Tuesday night to stop a draconian abortion bill is being hailed as a rising progressive star. But the marathon talk session was hardly the first time that Sen. Wendy Davis has played high-stakes Texas Hold’Em to stymie the GOP: She also helped lead the fight against a partisan GOP redistricting plan that deliberately discriminated against blacks and Hispanics.
Lupe, Thank you for the great comment which provides additional information regarding Davis’ dedication and commitment to equity and equality.