The Importance of Voting
11/03/2014
Tomorrow, November 4, is Election Day. Local president Joy Lohmeyer took time yesterday to share with members of the New Albany Floyd County Education Association her own thoughts about why educators need to stand up collectively and vote for pro-public education candidates. We thank Joy for taking the time to write down these powerful thoughts. Remember, we speak louder together. Please remember to vote.
Dear NAFCS educators,
As I sat in church yesterday preparing for reflection on All Saints Day, I was struck by the many things that memories do for us. We are blessed with memories of friends, family, and decades of blessings, many of which were made possible by the persistence, sacrifice, and courage of previous generations. During this time of year—with All Saints Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day—our minds often turn to the contributions made by those who have preserved our freedoms.
Today, just hours from Election Day, my mind also turned to those educators who during the mid-20th century fought for basic rights to negotiate for reasonable wages, benefits, and improved working conditions through meaningful discussion. They stood together. They persevered when it was not popular or easy. They walked picket lines as new hires and experienced teachers. They put their jobs on the line. They were willing to be activists to bring their message to local, state, and federal legislators. They worked hard and sacrificed time and effort to create a better future for public education and public educators.
Most of the people who accomplished these rights were no different than you or me. They simply took action because there was a need to take action. No one else was going to step up and do it for their profession. It was the right thing to do.
So, as my church family sang For All the Saints... “
And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!” I wondered, are we, the new generation of education professionals, going to take action? Have we read the voting information? Have we taken action to stand together and vote? Do you have the conviction of the educators who fought for your collective bargaining rights in the first place? Have you spread the word? Will you rise to the call as past generations have done?
If you have not already voted or asked others to stand with you, please take time to vote on Election Day. There is a need to take action, now. Right now. Our action or inaction will determine what we as educators can achieve for our profession and our students.
Stand together on Election Day. Stand strong. We have done it before, and we can do it now, but we can only do it collectively.
Joy Lohmeyer
President
New Albany Floyd County Education Association