Hi,
I want to tell you about my mother.
Over forty years ago, my mother came to this country as a domestic helper. She graduated from the number one university in the Philippines, but she wanted a chance at the American Dream — a chance at a country whose promise is "If you work hard, the sky is the limit." She knew that if she came to this special country, even in that capacity, the trajectory of her life and of that of her family would be much, much different.
My mom sacrificed a lot for the chance at the best possible life for my sister and me, and it wasn’t always easy. She worked long hours, and I know first-hand why investments — not handouts — like subsidized housing and reduced school lunch are important, because they helped make my family's story and service to our county possible. My mom reminded my sister and me every single day that we were lucky to be born here, and we'd have to give back to a country that gave us so much. It's why I served, and why my sister proudly serves in the U.S. Navy to this day.
When I returned from my deployment to Iraq to find that my mom had been diagnosed with cancer, I separated from the military and moved home to help care for her. I knew I’d have a lot of jobs in my life, but only one mom. I’m so grateful she was able to get the quality health care she needed to get well, and in Congress I'll work to ensure everyone has access to that same life-saving health care.
My sister and I wouldn't be the women we are without my mom's unconditional love and unrelenting work ethic. Her example is the reason I've dedicated my life to serving others, and that’s why I’m running for Congress.
DONATE In service,
Gina Ortiz Jones
Gina Ortiz Jones is an Iraq War veteran running to flip TX-23 -- Democrats' best shot in the entire country at flipping a district from red to blue.
CONTRIBUTE MONTHLY Paid for by Gina Ortiz Jones for Congress
Gina Ortiz Jones was a member of the United States Air Force. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense.
