Today, I did something I never thought I would do. I voted for myself. There have been many times in my life when I wondered what would become of my name. Through my own debilitating illness in childhood that prevented me from standing, through years of being a caregiver during the height of COVID-19 isolation, through grief and the natural ebb and flow of life... I wondered if I would ever get the chance to become someone.

After my mother's passing, I never thought I would stand up again but, I found myself standing in front of 200 people against a theme park slated for preserved land next to our homes and drinking water. I found myself standing time after time at Town Hall meetings; standing against unjustifiable projects, standing against odds that seemed unbeatable and returning victorious. I am so grateful to the many who have stood along with me throughout it all.

It is at crossroads like these that I wonder what my name will mean to this world, but no matter what happens, I voted for someone who has overcome every obstacle she has ever faced; to stand for an entire town full of people today. I want to thank everyone who has done the same.

Please get out and vote to Preserve Monroe today: ROW F. Polls are open until 9 PM and you can find your polling place at IWILLVOTE.com.

Learn more at MaureenforMonroe.com

Thank you for your support,

Maureen Richardson