[link removed] [[link removed]]Dear Friend,
This year has been a tough one on so many levels — from the seemingly endless COVID-19 pandemic to the grave threat to our reproductive freedom. As we approach the end of 2021, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve been through and share why I'm hopeful for the future.
It seems like every time we turned around, Governor DeSantis and his disciples were playing politics with our lives. His mismanagement of the pandemic put the health and safety of all Floridians at risk. Teachers and students suffered as he refused to allow mask mandates in schools. School boards became the epicenter of a heated battle. And frontline workers faced extreme risk because of his refusal to allow vaccination requirements.
Then in September, we faced our scariest challenge to abortion rights when Republicans in the state legislature proposed a Texas-style bill to essentially ban abortion. We were able to stave off this attack for now, but we know there will be more to come in January.
The final blow was felt earlier this month, when the Supreme Court held the most consequential hearing on abortion rights in decades. The results paint a dire picture for the year ahead. If the Supreme Court acts as expected, we will no longer be able to rely on federal protections for abortion rights. In states like Florida, it will be up to the legislature to ensure abortion rights, leaving us in a very vulnerable situation.
You might wonder how I can be hopeful in light of all this terrible news. It's because of you. Throughout this year, your support has helped Ruth's List endorsed candidates win competitive races for mayor, city councils, and city commissions. Because of you, we are able to identify and train more women who are ready to step up to run for office than ever before. And because of you we're continuing to break glass ceilings across the state.
We all know the fight ahead will be the toughest we’ve ever faced. Redistricting in the state, led by Republicans, will surely make our incumbent and endorsees’ elections and re-elections more difficult. With midterm elections less than a year away, we're not wasting a minute building our resources and capacity. But we need all hands on deck. [[link removed]] Can you commit to joining us and becoming a monthly donor today? [[link removed]]
Contribute [[link removed]]As we close the year, I just want to say thank you. I am grateful to be able to do this work alongside you. And I can't think of a better way to start 2022 than teaming up with a slate of passionate, powerful, problem-solving Democratic pro-choice women who will fight for our values, our freedoms, and the rights of all Floridians.
Onward,
[[link removed]]Lucy Sedgwick
President & CEO of Ruth’s List Florida
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