Friend – I know it’s hard to believe, but this little girl is me. Back then, my number one priority was dancing. Who could’ve known that my ballet recitals would prepare me to become the first woman and person of color to represent Delaware in Congress?

Believe it or not, running for office isn’t all that different from dance. Beneath the beauty of ballet there is struggle. Blisters. Sore Muscles. Slippers that don’t fit quite right.

It took me until I was a little older to see that those invisible struggles beneath the surface don’t just happen in ballet. For my family, it was part of everyday life – but I never would’ve known.

I have a closely-knit extended family and thanks to them, I never wanted for anything. They made sure I had access to opportunity, like starting my ballet classes after we moved out of public housing.

I’ve since hung up my slippers, but I carry the lessons ballet taught me everywhere I go. Many hard-working families just like the one I grew up in are struggling below the surface, even if we can’t always see it.

I’m running for Senate to help create a country that works for more folks, and not just the people who have benefited the longest. If you’re ready to rebuild an America that works for generations to come, please chip in $25 now to my campaign for the U.S. Senate.

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: