Friend, she might not realize it yet, but the little girl in this photo is learning from her grandmother that her voice matters — and that her advocacy can make a difference.

In a world full of people telling young girls to be quiet and wait their turn, seeing my grandmother be a fiery and outspoken advocate for women changed everything for me. She is who inspired me to be bold and raise my voice.

That’s the reason I ran for office: to be a voice for those who don’t have one and to take on the toughest fights in Washington and stand up for what’s right.

Today, we have lots of tough fights ahead in the Senate: for reproductive freedom, voting rights, climate action, affordable health care, national paid leave and access to child care. I will be fearless in the fight to get the job done — just like my grandmother taught me.

But I need your help, friend. With so much at stake, Democrats are hanging onto our Senate majority by a thread. Mitch McConnell only needs to flip two seats to retake control — and after New York Republicans secured historic victories across the state during the midterm elections, the GOP is targeting me for defeat.

I refuse to take a single cent from corporate PACs. My fight is fueled by you and for you. But that means I can’t take on the GOP’s megadonor machine and keep this seat blue without your grassroots support.

So please, will you donate $5 or more right now — split between my campaign and Ben Ray Luján — to help me defeat the GOP in New York, defend our narrow Democratic majority and continue fearlessly fighting for you in the Senate?

Together, I know there isn’t a single thing we can’t accomplish. Thank you for being by my side.

Kirsten Gillibrand