I celebrate the hallmark of the US democracy in the peaceful change of presidential power and of the history made on January 20, 2021. All people and especially women, who until 100 years ago did not have the right to vote, witness a woman being sworn in as 2nd most powerful person in the free world. Until the 2021 inauguration, women could only dream and see the glass ceiling. Although it had been cracked by many women before, it was shattered on January 20th by Kamala Harris. As Amanda Gorman states,..”We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it. Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. And this effort very nearly succeeded. But, while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.”
The woman who is multi-cultural Black –South Asian, wife, former US Senator, California Attorney General, HBCU alumnus, a lady of both Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and The Links, Inc., a methodical no-nonsense lawyer who makes people nervous for her cross-examinations at senate hearings yet who can genuinely laugh and unabashedly revel in her multicultural background brought smiles and tears of joy to many who watched her take her oath of office as the 1st woman Vice President of the United States of America. Madam Vice President, Kamala Harris is a symbol of hope to all women. Women of color especially see a reflection of themselves in her and little girls have a new heroine they believe is possible they can be.
Personally, as a member of AKA Sorority, the day was extra joyful as we joined with all women to dress in pink, pearls & Chucks in gleeful tribute to our sister. With hope and a new outlook, as the 22-year-old National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman states, ‘we will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be….But one thing is certain: if we merge mercy with might and might with the right, then love becomes our legacy…we will rebuild, reconcile and recover…our people diverse and beautiful will emerge…for there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
With the understanding that the vote is the powerful voice of the people, the Law Office of Salesia Smith-Gordon’s continued commitment to advocacy for justice and positive change for the injured also includes ensuring their voice is heard, and vote protected under the Constitution: Amendments 15th,19th, 24th and 26th through voter registration, education and protection. The firm expanded its participation in the election process as partners with the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County and When We All Vote -PBC Squad for voter education. Firm members, Robert Mighty, Lawrence Gordon, Kelsey Means, Mayda Zuniga, and Magalie Lalivose volunteered by lending their voices to The League’s voter education commercials and by encouraging clients to register and to vote. Attorney Salesia Smith-Gordon served as moderator of live voter education forum: Electoral College: Pros / Cons; participated in the WPB Chp. Links, Inc. #GlamTheVote campaigns, supported a community crab-boil voter registration drive with COVI-19 mask distribution and sponsored with Zeta Tau Omega Chp. of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. voter-education commercials.
The Presidential and federal change of powers has occurred. Local municipal elections which issues impact our daily lives regarding schools, housing, health, roads, and courts occur on March 9, 2021, in Palm Beach County. Ensure your voice is heard by register to vote at www.pbcelections.org. Check your county supervisor of elections office for your voter deadline information. Be informed.
MARCH 2021 LOCAL ELECTIONS: www.pbcelections.org
Deadline / Final Days are:
February 8 – Deadline Voters Registration, Signature Change
February 27 – Deadline Request Vote By Mail (absentee)
March 9 – Final Day to Vote & VBM/Absentee Ballot Received by 7p