Happy Mothers Day! To all mothers, daughters, aspiring mothers, and people with complicated, traumatic, or nonexistent relationships with mothers and motherhood — I see you.
The current news cycle and leaked SCOTUS opinions adds more weight to an already trying day for many.
But, today, in light of the barbaric Supreme Court draft opinion that overrules Roe v. Wade, I want to tell you a little bit about my own mother, Gail Fisher. She is the reason I'm here today, in fire and fury, fighting for a better future for my daughters and the people of this district. And if you'll let me, I want to tell you a little bit about her.
My mom didn't have an easy life. Adopted by distant cousins when she was 7, she was raised in a very conservative home, where she was taught that all she could ever be was a good wife. She married young and did her best to be the best wife and mother she could be, even though her life-long dream was to be a nurse.
All of her best intentions couldn't prevent her from being a victim of domestic violence. Knowing she needed a way out and a way to support 3 kids on her own, she went back to school to pursue her nursing degree, while living with the abuse. She graduated nursing school with honors and as the president of her class and finally left her marriage to give her children a better life and more opportunity.
As a nurse, 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. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the deep sacrifices she made, for her unwavering kindness, and the tremendous courage she exemplified throughout my life.
In 2015, my mom passed away from untreated Type 2 diabetes. Despite working in the healthcare industry for the better part of her adult life, she had little savings because she raised 3 kids on her own. We found out in her final days that she rationed or skipped insulin rather than ask her children for help. Affordable insulin could have saved her life.
This is a trying time for our country. So many of our institutions have failed working people — especially mothers, including my own. But I'd be letting her down if I let the challenges we face stand in the way of working to make it better. She never gave up, and neither will I.
So, today, on Mother's Day, and in honor of Gail Fisher, I make this commitment to you: I will never stop fighting for a more just, equitable, and compassionate future for all, especially for women, trans-women, LGBTQ+ individuals, for mothers, and for every person struggling to make ends meet in this country.
