7/29/2019 Standing By Her Man...continued
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I chose to still my thoughts and lose
myself in the many pages of Maya Ange-
lous autobiography. I devoured book after
book. I was hungry for knowledge and I got
fed. I was inspired, moved especially about
how she wrote about her involvement in thecauses of Reverend Dr
Martin Luther King,
Jr and Malcolm X. I wondered if I would
ever have a chance to serve a great leader
of their statue, someone that I would make
history with.
In my ftieth year, I was sitting in my
bedroom, still again. There were more
questions. The United States and the world
needed a major makeover. I needed it to
change for I longed for a world that would
be amenable to me. An environment that
encouraged growth, one that would nurture,love and support. A
place where my ideas
and dreams could come to fruition.
Breaking news, big news on every
broadcast station, Senator Barack Obama
announced his decision to run for the high-
est ofce in the land.
I was having a conversation with some-
one in my head. Oh my God are you telling
me that in the answering of my prayers that
you are ringing in the changes starting at the
top? This is a no brainer, Im going to get
behind the Senator because getting behindhim means getting
behind myself. It felt as
though I was literally swept off my feet and
transported somewhere. It was crazy, fast
like spinning in the middle of a whirlwind.
Pete, my truck and I traveled north, south,
east, west galloping up and down Interstate
Highway 35. I was attending training ses-
sions learning the political process, becom-
ing an activist.
I became totally engaged, passionately
so. We went live very soon after training as
the Texas Two Step Primary was upon us.My Barack Obama web page
was set up on
my computer. There I could get updated on
all campaign plans, stay on top of events. I
felt as though I certainly had direct contact
with the source, like the kind of things you
see in a Mission Impossible episode. I
started as a poll watcher. My mission was
to make sure there wasnt any shenanigans
going on and most importantly do not by
any means let voters leave the poll before
the caucus that occurs after the polls closed.
I had a hot line number to the source just incase a situation
arose that I wasnt familiar
with. Misinformation was rampant. I dialed
the hot line informing them that people
were headed out of the door totally oblivi-
ous of the fact that work still needed to
be achieved. Stop them Sharon, dont let
them leave! My adrenalin kicked in. It was
exciting and so much more. I was hooked,
dedicated to hope and change. People
noticed, openly urging me to go forward,
lead. I went on to become the Permanent
Secretary of the Primary Caucus to Countyand State Delegate in
2008. The campaign
needed foot soldiers to go to Ohio and help
turn it blue in the last three weeks before
the election. I left Texas with a group of like
minded strangers headed to Ohio because
our Presidential candidate, future leader
needed us. It was a cause worth ghting
for, not just to fulll his destiny but ours as
well. Like a duck to water I found that what
I was experiencing was natural. I had found
a calling of sorts.
Four years later 2012, I was primed andready to go! The
challenge to re-elect Presi-
dent Barack Obama was crucial for many.
Friends were calling from different shores
wanting reassurance that I would continue
on my journey and toss myself in the cam-
paign with double the vigor from the rst.
Dont worry about that because Im on it!.
It is my nature to always go forward, not re-
peat myself, learn more. I did not know how
great my purpose would expand, the shoes
in which I would stand. June 7th at the State
Convention in Houston, my heart was onmy sleeve and I unleashed
pure sincerity as
I delivered my speech to my Senate District
24 in my bid for National Delegate. I asked
them to Vote Rose and the house rose
choosing me as one to go forward and rep-
resent them. Insane. I was overjoyed having
the backing of my peers. I would not let
the President down, the people or myself. I
vowed on that day that as long as the Presi-
dent ran, I would be running alongside.
I booked an early morning ight. I
made it to the airport with plenty of timeto spare. I parked my
faithful chariot Pete,
who vowed to be right there on my return.
I checked in. I needed to get to my destina-
tion of Charlotte early, as in two days early
before the convention began. It was my
desire to become acclimatized in Charlotte,
get comfortable, and feel my environment
before the action began. I had time to gather
information, nd out what was really going
on. I stayed on my toes because missing
any aspect of this marvelous time in my
life was not an option. Over the followingtwo days I chilled in
my suite on my hotel
room balcony and watched as the rest of the
delegates poured in. The Texas delegation
were assigned to the Great Wolf Lodge in
Concord, NC, a family resort.
Kids inltrated the hallways with their
magic wands opening up treasure chests
that told a story. Families partaking of the
last days before school started, directed
their children watching over them in the
wave pool and eagerly participated in Wolf
stories told to the children in the lobby of anevening.They were
having a splendid time
oblivious of the serious matter that many
grown ups were arriving to attend to, didnt
need to.
The tone in the Great Wolf Lodge
changed by September 2nd, kids were head-
ed back to school. The matter at hand rose
to the forefront. The DNCC had arranged a
fantastic itinerary to welcome all delegates
and guests with an open reception being
held at twelve different venues in Charlotte
and surrounding areas. There were copiousamounts of food and
drink with entertain-
ment beyond belief. The atmosphere was
exuberant. The party I attended was not just
for Texas delegates but for other states as
well such as Michigan. It provided a great
opportunity to mix and mingle with like
minded individuals.
Labor Day, September 3rd, the Charlotte
host committee launched the Carolina Fes-
tival as part of the festivities to include us
delegates. It was a very warm, bright sunny
day. There was a parade, street vendors ev-erywhere lining the
streets with Carolinas
specialty food, hats, Obama campaign but-
tons hats, you name it. There was live mu-
sic, interactive expositions, a fantastic line
up. Buses had been arranged to transport
all delegates to and fro from hotel to city
and vice versa. Protestors, supporters and
natives occupied the streets. Police, remen
and other public workers from all over the
USA were keeping order. I thought I was in
New York for a second with the long blocks
needed to walk to a luncheon arranged forus at Whiskey River, a
lovely venue in the
Epic Center. I was overwhelmed by every-
thing. Exhausted somewhat by the energy
surrounding me combined with the sun was
causing a dizzying effect.
September 4th, Party Like a Rock Star,
the Democratic Convention exploded to
the forefront. The production began, lights,
camera, action! It was on. Delegates poured
into the Time Warner Cable Arena nd-
ing their assigned seats for their respective
state. The hallways were a buzz with peoplefrom all walks of
life, politicians galore
making themselves available, all there for
a shared cause. There was a consistent
medley of people chatting, camera lights
ashing, pose, click! Looking left, then
right, oops just bumped into someone as I
bobbed and weaved trying to inhale it all in.
Celebrities in attendance were here, there
and everywhere. The walls were lined with
television monitors, music lled the air.
There was no reason to miss the action on
the main stage wherever one found them-selves. I kid you not,
even in the bathrooms.
The First Lady Michelle threw down the
gauntlet on the rst night establishing the
standard of sincerity and excellence that
would prevail throughout the entire con-
vention. She reduced the audience to tears.
When she teared up, so did we. When she
smiled, we reciprocated.
Hit after hit, they just kept coming from
everyone who graced the stage. Former
President Clinton broke the facts down to
the most common denominator. Hes right,hes right I could hear
delegates chanting.
As a matter of fact we testied and afrmed
for three days for all of the speakers. If I
tell you that every speaker, slide show in
between were phenomenal, believe me.
They left no stone or issue that concerns us
all unturned. We were up and down out our
seats clapping, hugging.The Democratic
National Committee Charlotte hosted a
fabulous convention. There was something
on the agenda every day and night. Other
delegates and I were constantly pinchingeach other asking, can
you believe we are
here?. The delegates from all of the United
States were pumped. The atmosphere was
electric! Ive sat on the sidelines for many a
year watching these conventions on televi-
sion but nothing compares to being there in
the arena witnessing rst hand.
President Barack Obama was the icing
on the cake and how sweet it was. The role
call on the nal night sealed the deal. Foot
soldiers returned to their homes, went to
work and re-elected the President, Novem-ber 6, 2012. My name
have been recorded
on ofcial documents that will reveal my
signature endorsing him and Vice President
Joe Biden to continue to lead this country
for another four years. Im prepared to go
the distance as there is more work to be
done, more growth. I embrace that.
Never in my wildest dreams would I
have imagined that I would one day be able
to play a major role in politics as a National
Delegate of Texas in a historical campaign,
are you kidding?As my elders always said baby, if you
can just live long enough, youll realize
many things.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
10 Aspirations
