In celebration of Women’s History Month and in recognition of International Women’s Day, here are thoughts and reflections from some Greater Lansing women who are promoting hope and breaking barriers for women every day.
Women trailblazers are often not recognized
This month, we must recognize the enduring achievements of women who fought to make our world a better place. But history is mostly unwritten — we fail to honor these trailblazers if we do not pick up the torch and continue striving for a more just and equal society. Thankfully, Michigan women never stop making history.
Take Katie Fahey and Nancy Wang, founders of Voters not Politicians. Fahey launched this history-making movement nearly by accident when she posted on Facebook in November of 2016 inquiring if anyone wanted to help her end gerrymandering.
Under Fahey and Wang’s leadership, this idea, born out of frustration with electoral maps that were drawn deliberately to favor one party, snowballed into a massive grassroots effort that would infect so many of us with political fervor and fresh hope that we the people could fix our broken electoral system and demand better representation in government.
After a grueling ballot campaign that sent over 14,000 volunteers out to collect signatures across our state, and the long, challenging process of drawing up maps that best represent Michigan communities while achieving partisan fairness, the new maps were finalized at last.
This upcoming election, Michigan residents will finally be voting in districts that actually represent the people who live inside them, giving disenfranchised groups more say in our state races than ever before. The historic effort of Fahey, Wang and everyone involved with Voters not Politicians is proof that Michigan women can, should and will continue making our world a better place.
State Rep. Julie Brixie represents Michigan’s 69th House District which includes parts of East Lansing, Lansing, Locke Township, Meridian Township and Williamstown Township.
This story was originally published by Lansing State Journal. Read more here: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/opinion/contributors/viewpoints/2022/03/01/these-greater-lansing-women-strong-passionate-and-inspiring-history-month/6908310001/
