My mom, Gail Fisher, was a nurse for much of her life. She was the most caring person I’ve ever met -- not just to me and my family, but to so many patients.
She was on the front lines of the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic. She was a tireless advocate for the people in her care -- and she taught me that dedicating yourself to serving others is the best way to leave a mark on this world. She’s a big reason why I’ve spent so much of my life as an advocate for our community.
Now, after going above and beyond to save lives during a once-in-a-century pandemic, nurses and health care workers have more than earned our support. Our real, material, committed support, not just applause and cards.
I’ve met, talked to, and rallied with lots of nurses before and during this horrible pandemic. I’m going to fight for all of them, and I’m doing it in memory of the nurse who raised me. The nurse who taught me to trust science and love people and not be scared of a little needle.
The nurses who brought us through this crisis -- who risked their lives to save others -- deserve our gratitude now. They deserve resources to care for their mental health. They deserve policies that guarantee them access to child care and a living wage. They need our help.
