Lead board reflects on a year of passion and change

Shocked. Devastated. Furious. Terrified. These are the words used to describe how so many felt following the 2016 presidential election. For some, the results completely defied expectations. For others, the results were no surprise but were disappointing nonetheless.

That was one year ago. Since then, those feelings of anger and disappointment have transformed into a desire for change, which ultimately led to action.

It was this kind of thinking that brought together the ambitious, change-craving women that make up the executive board of LEAD. They each have a story, beginning after election night last year. Taking their shared feelings of dissatisfaction, they embarked upon their personal and collective journeys of new challenges and new leadership positions, with the ultimate goal of creating change. They all have a story, they all have accomplishments, and they each have a reason for why they advocate for change.

These are their stories.

Michaela Seiber
Reaction to the election: “I stayed up until John Podesta made the announcement that Hillary was not going to be speaking that night/morning. I was shocked and devastated and just in this state of disbelief that kept me awake. I cried that night and the next day listening to Hillary’s speech. I was so heartbroken, I couldn’t do anything for a long time.”

What she’s done since then: “I started to become more active in the political groups in Sioux Falls and have found some small steps to take. For example, I attended a Lobby Day in Pierre during the legislative session, I wrote a letter-to-the-editor after an encouraging Legislative Coffee, and I’ve tried to educate myself on how the legislative process in South Dakota works.”

Michaela’s “Why”: “The people that I’ve met through LEAD since then have helped me deal with the absolute mess that we wake up to daily and when I’m around this amazing group of women, I no longer feel defeated. I’m hopeful and that’s why I’m involved with LEAD.”

Roxy Hammond
Reaction to the election: “I had a dream that night that Hillary won, but woke up in the morning to the news. I just got furious. The kind of quiet rage that fuels endless ambition. I wasn’t going to wallow in my sorrow; I was going to do something about it. This was not the country I loved, and I was going to work to change that.”

What she’s done since then: “I’ve always been pretty politically minded, so my involvement isn’t totally surprising. I was just working for the Legislature for three years, so I was unable to participate in anything political outside of work during that time. I happen to quit that job a few weeks before the election, so with the newly lit fire, I was able to get involved finally. I hadn’t, however, ever served on a board like I do with LEAD. I jumped in headfirst.”

Roxy’s “Why”: “I believe women are smart, capable, talented, and NECESSARY for making good policy. I’ve seen it first hand. Their perspective is different and they are often compassionate and reasonable. It’s time we took our rightful place at the table.”

Stacey Burnette
Reaction to the election: “My wife and I were stunned, angry, sad, and terrified all at once. As a queer couple, we mourned the loss of rights and privileges that a Clinton Administration promised to bring to LGBTQ Americans. Instead, we had to begin to mentally prepare ourselves that many rights of our community would likely be taken away or certainly stalled by the Trump Administration.”

What she’s done since then: “I joined LEAD. I give donations to Planned Parenthood and NARAL. My wife and I continue to teach our kids lessons about racism, privilege, homophobia, sexism, and the importance of kindness.”

Stacey’s “Why”: “I am an advocate because in my mind there is no other option. As an American, a queer woman, a mother, a wife, a sister, if I don’t stand up for those being denied rights, who will? No one is free when others are oppressed.”

Cory Ann Ellis
Reaction to the election: “[I felt] Extreme sadness and disappointment. Devastated might even be a term I’d use. It took me a few days to fully process, I didn’t leave my house for two days as I worked through my thoughts.”

What she’s done since then: I’ve spoken at our City Council meetings, Board of Adjustment meetings, and even our Historic Preservation Commission. I applied for an open temporary City Council position but did not get selected. I’ve spoken at a Noem town hall and even had a one on one meeting with Kristi Noem. I’ve called and written my elected officials so often I can’t count, joined a demonstration outside Noem’s SF office, marched in the SF Women’s March and more small things. Most of my efforts have been placed into building the Brookings LEAD Chapter. […] Oh, and I’ve decided to run for District 7 Legislature.”

Cory’s “Why”: “The freedoms and opportunities that are available to us are because of the efforts of those before us. To honor their struggles and sacrifices we must not take these things for granted, but rather continue the cycle by advocating for those who need it. […] It would be disrespectful to those who came before me and not in my nature to stand ideally by. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do and who I am. I’m fortunate to have found LEAD as means to give my voice strength and to find others who want to do the same.”

“It would be disrespectful to those who came before me and not in my nature to stand idly by.”

Nikki Gronli
Reaction to the election: “I was in complete disbelief. I could not understand how America, my wonderful country could choose a man who was rude, vulgar, misogynistic, xenophobic and so unqualified for the country’s highest office. […] Although I had always been politically aware, I had not been politically involved. That ended in the middle of the night, election night. I knew I would get involved and create change from that moment on.”

What she’s done since then: “Thankfully LEAD rose up from the ashes of this election immediately. I right away jumped in to help with the logo, branding, letter writing events, anything I could do to help…I’ve done event planning and landed with my main focus on communications. […] I found myself being asked to run for a position within the Minnehaha County Democratic Party…And then I won. I’ve focused my time as the state committeewoman for the county on rebranding and outreach.”

Nikki’s “Why”: “Now more than ever we need creative thinkers, we need people from different backgrounds and we need people who put the wellbeing of their constituents first. Those leaders are out there and we need to inspire them and support them to take on this challenge. I am a mother, and now a first-time grandmother. I know we need to change the political course and not accept politics as usual. This is the time to do that.”

Taneeza Islam
Reaction to the election: “I had a great amount of hope and faith in my fellow Americans to stand up against Islamophobia, anti-immigrant/refugee bigotry, sexism, sexual harassment, racism, grade school level taunting and “making fun of” the disabled or anyone different, attacks on our First Amendment principles of freedom from and of religion, anti-climate/environment and anti-middle class/low income rhetoric, policies and platform of now President Trump. I was devastated to know, that as a nation we were not where I hoped we were.”

What she’s done since then: “I became very involved in fighting legislated hate in our state—against Islam, Muslim immigrants and refugees. I had not been involved in state politics since moving here until Jan 2017. I mobilized my communities—Muslim, immigrants/refugees—to be their own voice in Pierre, so legislators can see and hear us for who we are: South Dakotans. I’ve become very vocal about hate in our state, taking on legislators and elected officials and speaking some hard truth to power…”

Taneeza’s “Why”: “As an American Muslim lawyer, I have the tools to be a voice, and the tools empower marginalized communities to be their own voices. It is critical to hear from affected people, not just the one or two people. Nothing is more powerful than empowering people. When I attended my first LEAD meeting, which was the 2nd communal meeting, since moving to Sioux Falls in 2012, I felt like I belonged. When you are a minority in so many categories—race, gender, religion, occupation etc.—you don’t realize you feel unwelcomed until you feel welcomed.”

Please share your stories of how you’ve turned this election into motivation and drive. Leave us comments and share your story of success, passion, and change. We’d love to hear how you have moved ahead for a better future.

ABOUT LEAD SOUTH DAKOTA

LEAD South Dakota is a registered 501c(4) nonprofit.  LEAD (Leaders Engaged And Determined) is a grassroots organization aimed at bringing awareness to issues facing South Dakota, the United States, and abroad. LEAD exists to foster a community of individuals who empower and encourage women to be actively involved in all stages of the political process in order to effect positive change for women and families in South Dakota.

LEAD is not affiliated with any political party or organization. We are welcoming and inclusive of all people, regardless of race, age, religion, ethnicity, national origin, color, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or citizenship.