Recap: “Still Fired Up” One-Year Anniversary Event
November 2017
26
by: Shi Almont
If you were downtown Saturday, November 18, you may have heard a group scream (or two) burst through the walls of Icon Lounge. But don’t be fooled—those screams were not of the distressed sort.
In fact, they were quite the opposite: they were the cathartic yells, the feminist whoops, and the collective reveling of over 100 LEADers gathered to celebrate the one–year anniversary of LEAD.
The event, hosted by board members Susan Kroger and Kelly Sullivan, consisted of two hours of socializing, raffle prize drawings, and the celebratory words of both women and men as they shared how they’ve been inspired by the organization.
For some, the anniversary party was a celebration of their yearlong participation in the organization, beginning at the very first meeting following the election. Traci Willis is one of those people. Like so many others after the election last year, Traci wanted to get involved, but didn’t know where to begin, so she went to the first LEAD meeting.
LEAD members, Traci and Ann Willis enjoy the one-year anniversary celebration.
“It wasn’t just a bunch of people getting together and bitching,” Traci said. “It was people who were bitching, but then had [an] action to take about the stuff that they were upset about, and that made me feel really fired up and excited.”
For others, like operations director of Conscious Youth Solutions, Terry Liggins, this was their first LEAD event: “I am here because this organization and everybody in this room is very inspirational to me,” he said. “I want to know as much as I can about what the women are doing in Sioux Falls so I can continue to advocate for that as I advocate for diversity in the city as a young leader.”
In addition to celebrating LEADers new and old, we recognized the courageous women and men who have been inspired and encouraged by LEAD to run for office, including Sheryl Johnson, Erin Healy, Janae Hansen, Samantha Spawn, Thomas Christianson, and our very own Kelly Sullivan.
Kelly admitted that before LEAD, she couldn’t even speak in front of five people. And now, after standing on top of a car with a microphone and rallying a group of over 3,300 people at the Sioux Falls Women’s March, she’s running for District 13 legislature.
LEAD member, Kelly Sullivan co-hosted with LEAD founder, Susan Kroger.
“I never really thought I would be a person who would run for office,” she said. “And now here I am standing on this stage, running for office, and I couldn’t be more excited. I thank all of the people in LEAD who have done those things for me and I hope we are doing those things for [others] and empowering [them] as well.”
And finally, we heard from Jolene Loetscher, Sioux Falls’ only female mayoral candidate, as she told her story and how LEAD has helped her get to where she is now.
Mayoral Candidate, Jolene Loetscher talked about her inspiration to run for office.
“LEAD believed that I had an opportunity to do something with all that I had been given,” Jolene said. “LEAD believes in the opportunity that everyone in this room has, to do even more. And so I want to thank LEAD because I’m excited to have shared this birthday with you, because it is an absolutely amazing time to see the people in this city and this state rise up, stand up, and speak up and to fight for my Liberty (daughter) and for your liberty.”
And that’s what we celebrated and will continue to celebrate: our organization that rose up one year ago to encourage and inspire change, and the LEADers who stand up and speak up to fight for that change.
So if you were downtown last Saturday, I hope you heard our yells—our celebration of LEADers and the organization’s accomplishments over the last year, our vocal liberation from the hardships that followed the last election, and our promise to stay fired up.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for one great year. We look forward to many more celebrations with all of you.” – the LEAD Board
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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.
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