We did it!

Around 4:00 PM on Tuesday, October 17th, the Women's March issued the following press release: SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW TO GIVE OPENING REMARKS AT WOMEN’S CONVENTION IN DETROIT --YEAH!!-- Over the past few days, I've been in conversation with the Communications Team for the Women's March. They have been open to, and understanding of, our concern with Senator Bernie Sanders opening the Convention. The Women's March has graciously acknowledged that a male opening speaker is not an appropriate visual for this first Convention of its kind. Moving forward, the point is not to stir over whether or not this was all a huge miscommunication in the first place or if the opening speaker was changed because of our collective voice. The point is that we were heard, and a change occurred because of it. (A post from the Women's March of Senator Stabenow's picture with the caption "Stabenow to deliver opening remarks at women's convention") Furthermore, I personally am changed for the better because I understand how my disappointment, without conversation and explanation, was offensive to many Convention organizers who felt their work was undermined. Throughout the process of publishing this petition, I've been contacted by several far-right media outlets hoping to get a juicy quote about how the Women's March's former post is causing complete chaos and irrevocable destruction of our movement. I refuse to go there because it is simply not true. Moments like this remind us of the power of "daring discussions" (a phrase coined by the Women's March). They remind us that when we speak out in disagreement or in question, remarkable things happen. Conversations are birthed. Understanding is birthed. Perspectives are shifted. We become uncomfortable. Compromises are birthed. Progress is inevitable. But, in order for any of these things to occur, WE MUST FIRST CREATE THE SPACE FOR IT TO COME TO LIFE. Thank you for being part of creating the space for this. And thank you to the Women's March for meeting us there. We must continue to hold one another accountable and stand up for what makes our hearts pulse -- both in times of deep disagreement and ecstatic agreement. Sometime this week, I will be going live on Facebook from the Women's March Office in NYC, talking about just these things. Daring discussions, holding one another accountable, and the endless possibilities and potential for progress that come when we create space for compromise and conversation. Women have always been collaborative. Let's keep birthing progress. In gratitude, Amanda