John,

Last week, the classic toy doll Barbie - marketed to little girls and young women for decades was made into a massive Hollywood blockbuster that is dominating summer box offices. I’m going to go see it today, and yeah, I’m wearing hot pink. While Barbie the movie has added a significant feminist twist, and I should note that I am beyond excited to see it, Barbie has not always been this way.

It wasn’t until recently that Barbies were given careers, such as Veterinarian Barbie, Scientist Barbie, or even Astronaut Barbie. When I was growing up, Barbie reinforced stereotypes that told girls their proper place was in the home and being domestic: cooking, cleaning, and looking pretty. Barbie was not designed to show young girls that women could fill broader roles in society or the workplace.

Me when I was younger.

Even at a young age, that never sat right with me. There weren’t any career-oriented Barbies when I was little. Instead, at that age I played with my five boy cousins. We played office, and I was either the owner or manager. We rode four wheelers and played with remote control cars. 

Once I entered the professional stage of life, I kept true to who I was and set out to break one glass ceiling after another in male dominated industries. I grew up with boys, so I am naturally competitive with them and comfortable beating them which is why I am best suited to take out Jim Jordan. My professional drive and work ethic commonly resulted in being referred to by my male colleagues as having “balls of steel.” Although I’m sure it wasn’t really meant to be a compliment, I took this backhanded insult and wore it like a badge of honor.

Listen, I couldn’t be running for Congress at all, much less against the most vile and mean right-wing extremist in Congress, Jim Jordan, if I wasn’t prepared to overcome and rise above the sexism that comes from being a woman with the tenacity and grit to stand up, fight back, and win.

While I don't support old school barbies I can definitely get behind a hot pink blazer!

Some may frame this as an extra burden for a female candidate, but for me it is quite the opposite: these challenges are nothing new, and give me no pause. In fact, these experiences make me the most qualified candidate to take the fight to Jordan—I’ve been engaged in this kind of battle my entire life.

It may be a Barbie world, but I am NOT a Barbie girl. And Jim Jordan won’t be able to “put me in my place.”

So, let’s take on Jim Jordan together. I am ready, and eager, to take the fight to Jordan and show the voters that I have what it takes to win and to represent them with energy, determination, and integrity. Can I count on you to stand with me and say enough is enough?

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In Gratitude, 

- Tamie