[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

I received a fabulous email from one of my colleagues last night about her choice for president and it inspired me to share my story before I go off to vote here in a couple minutes. As many of you know, I have spent my entire adult life working in politics and while I could go into the long list of rational, political reasons why I am supporting and voting for Hillary Clinton for President today -- it ultimately is an extremely personal one for me. And as I think about the last 14 years I have spent working on campaigns, probably the most personal of my professional life.

My entire life has been shaped in one way or another by strong powerful women. The memories of my mother's struggle and perseverance as a single mom for so many years influenced my desire for greater economic and social justice.  Later as she struggled to move up the ladder at Kellogg's, I still remember the fights she waged against a mostly male workforce  who resisted her leadership. The example that my mother and my Tia's set for me was always clear, they demonstrated what was possible, the realities of their struggles and what was left to achieve. As I started off in politics, it was with the support of my sisters and friends that I was able to pursue a life that often kept me from spending time with them.  The women I met along the way -- Melody, Gale, Amy, Ellen -- always challenged me to be better and inspired me to do more. 

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Valerie Novak
San Joaquin Delta College student

As a working, single mom, attending community college was my only affordable option for a higher education. I’m proud that I’m attending community college with my daughter, and thankful that we can afford it.

It hasn’t been easy though. A few years ago, fees jumped dramatically when my son, daughter, and I enrolled in our local community college. Paying the fees for three of us was a real struggle.

While I am in school, I work different jobs to make our goals in education possible, both as a trained private chef and a community instructor in food preparation. When I complete my studies at the community college level, I plan to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue my degrees in nutritional science. My goal is to achieve the degrees required for a professional dietetic career that will include teaching in the community college system.

I’m not alone in the struggle to pay for higher education. Ask any community college student trying to earn an income, and they will tell you how important low, stable fees are to them. Every dollar up or down in fees makes a huge difference.

by Kim Stevens [courtesy of Party Line]

In March we celebrate Women's History, an aptly named month for such an occasion, as women often march to the beat of their own drum, march to get the job done, march for their rights, and march to right wrongs....