It’s always too soon to go home. And it’s always too soon to calculate effect. ~Rebecca Solnit
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ~John Quincy Adams
On a rainy, dreary day in the early 1960s, a group of women protested in front of the Kennedy White House.
They were there on behalf of Women Strike for Peace – an antinuclear organization that began when the founder got fed up and started a telephone tree to rally fellow mothers against nuclear testing.
Shocking as it may seem now, at that time, the U.S. was still conducting aboveground nuclear testing. Radioactive fallout was showing up in breast milk and baby teeth. Women Strike for Peace was advocating for the testing to end.
So that’s what brought them there – standing in front of the White House, holding signs.
A participant later admitted that, standing there in the rain, she felt “foolish, and futile.”
And really, can you blame her?
She was likely soaked, and freezing, and holding a soggy sign that was getting battered by the weather. There was no indication from the White House at the time that they were moved by the demonstration…
And yet.
Years later, she heard famous pediatrician and antinuclear activist Dr. Benjamin Spock speak. He was explaining how he became involved in the cause in the first place.
And wouldn’t you know it… Dr. Spock said the turning point for him was seeing a small group of women standing in the rain, protesting at the White House.
He was inspired by their commitment, and their passion. If they were so committed, he thought, he should give the issue more consideration….
And that is how Dr. Spock became one of the most high-profile anti-nuclear activists of his time.
All because he was inspired by a bunch of women – some of whom felt foolish and futile – holding signs in the rain. Women who had no idea at the time (and for a long time after) that they had inspired his action.
The thing is – you probably won’t ever know who, exactly, you inspire. And you’ll never know how many people you inspire.
Maybe the telephone call that you make – the story that you tell – the post that you write – the march that you organize… Maybe those actions will be the inspiration for someone else to do something amazing.
And maybe their actions will inspire someone else.
So, yes. We take action to help change the course of our nation’s history.
But in doing so we inspire one another, who inspire others, and still others – a sort of daisy chain of action.
So even if you feel foolish, or futile, or like your contribution is too small to matter …
Know that even if you can’t see the evidence of it yet, you’re an indispensable part of this movement.
In fact, you’re an inspiration.
So, friend. Let’s get to work.
Actions for the Week of September 19, 2023
Happy Voter Registration Day!
Today is National Voter Registration Day! A wonderful day to check your voter registration, which you should do regularly just to make sure you’re still on the rolls! You can do that here.
Join Indivisible’s National Call This Thursday Night: Eyes on Ohio & Shutdown
On the September National Campaign call, Indivisible will “delve into the pivotal ballot issue election happening in Ohio this November and shed some light on the real possibility of a government shutdown.” RSVP here: https://indivisible.zoom.us/webinar/register/1716934123846/WN_KkH6Z2ScQo6PppT5CbRlkg#/registration
On the “shutdown” note, please give a call to your Reps – especially if they’re on the “Unrepresentative” list (meaning they’re the 18 most vulnerable Republicans). https://www.unrepresentative18.org Let them know you’re watching – it’s important that they understand their constituents are paying attention and will place the blame for shutdown where it belongs: squarely on their shoulders.
Postcards to VA, LA, or KY
Postcards to Swing States has a great opportunity to write postcards to voters in three key states: VA, LA, and KY. Head over to this site to grab addresses – you’ll need to provide your own stamps and cards. Send-by dates are in late October. (The minimum address request is 100.)
How Will a Government Shutdown Impact Rural America? Join Wednesday’s Call:
Next week, the Indivisible Rural Caucus will meet for their monthly call – and they’re going to discuss what the looming shutdown would mean for rural America, “why this is a moment where we must abandon decorum and cut to the chase in rural areas (another spoiler: budgets are moral documents, and we all know the morals of this House majority). We’re also going to be talking about the recent impeachment circus, and hopefully demystify why it’s happening and why it’s happening right now. No guarantees that we won’t laugh or cry, or both, while we’re doing that, though. We’ll have some good music for you to boot, so register HERE. Tell your friends.
Join this coming Wednesday, September 27 at 8pm ET/7pm CT. Sign up here.
WHEW! GO TEAM!
P.S.: Why don’t you make someone’s day and send this pep talk to a friend or two? I bet they need it.
If you’d like to sign up to get this pep talk and action list in your in-box each week, you can do that here. Welcome, friend!
P.P.S.: If you want to help support this work you can do so via Patreon at
https://www.patreon.com/smalldeedsdone or via paypal at https://www.paypal.me/smalldeeds
My deepest gratitude in advance.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for writing. I read and respond to every email! We’re in this together. Don’t you forget it.
Small Deeds Done 