July, 2009

Phyllis Ander – My Remembrance

Posted by The Farm Team on Jul 31, 2009 in Statewide | 1 comment

Steve and Phyllis Ander

By Mary Sue Terry

It was a balmy summer day in 2007 when I received a call from Phyllis Ander inviting me to address the Women’s Democratic Caucus Breakfast during the 2008 Jefferson Jackson Day Weekend. I was delighted to hear from her and honored by her invitation especially since it had been a while since I had been asked to “saddle up,” so to speak. Because I had a prior commitment I had to decline the invitation but asked for a rain check for the next year which Phyllis graciously gave me.

Much later when my prior commitment changed I called Phyllis just to say that I would be attending the breakfast anyway, and, along with many of you visited with Phyllis, and heard a powerful, as well as entertaining, speech delivered by the Honorable Myra Obendorf, then Mayor of Virginia Beach.

It was on that morning as I walked out of the breakfast that I was approached by Susan Platt and Mame Reilly and asked if I would be open to having some women come to the farm to talk about how to elect more women to public office. The following September twenty three women from around Virginia, including, of course, Phyllis, came to the farm and The Farm Team was born.

Every endeavor has a fountain head and it can be truly said that if it weren’t for the initiative of Phyllis, I probably would not have been present  at that breakfast in 2008 and there would have been no conversation – at least at that time – with Susan and Mame.

I will remember Phyllis as a kind, considerate and caring person who was always generous with her time and resources in the interest of others. Of course, she was a Democrat. She could not have been otherwise. Most importantly I will remember her as a bridge builder and a person who showed patience and discretion in dealing with the tough and touchy issues that are part of life and part of any endeavor of importance.

I will miss her. While some might say that in one sense the twenty three are now twenty two, the reality is that we will always be twenty three in spirit.

My sympathy and that of women across the Commonwealth who knew, loved and respected Phyllis is sent to her family, friends and those dear souls who labored so long with her in the Second Congressional District and who are left to carry on her work.

- Mary Sue Terry

Successful boot camp in Lynchburg

Posted by vjp on Jul 15, 2009 in Lynchburg | 0 comments

By Shannon Brennan

The Lynchburg Boot Camp was a great success! More than 20 women turned out to learn how to breathe deeply and do raspberries in preparation for giving a speech. Thanks to Ann Timmons for helping us throw our voices across the room and gain composure before we give a talk, no matter how large or small. Dawn McCoy gave us great tips for running a campaign and finding overlapping circles in our lives that will help us support a campaign effort.

Del. Shannon Valentine of Lynchburg gave us a short stump speech as did Peggy Frank, who is giving Dave Nutter a run for his money in Montgomery County.

We were treated to a stirring song from a member of the Montgomery County delegation and a number of well-done speeches from women working to improve their communities and state.

Well done, Farm Team!

From a boot camp participant: "Thanks for a great workshop!"

Posted by vjp on Jul 1, 2009 in NoVA | 2 comments

The following email was received from a participant in one of the boot camps last weeked. We share it with her permission.

Thanks again for the great workshop and information. Although I am not a candidate, I want to do all I can to help Terri get elected to the school board in Rockbridge County. The ideas will also be helpful in my advocacy work for children and families regarding foster care/adoption and poor use of CSA funds to assist needy children and their families. These “mandated” CSA funds are nearly bankrupting our county and many others in Virginia. Yet it’s so easy to spend less and help families and children more. But I can’t seem to organize my message in such a way that others understand how communities can spend less money and provide better services. Now, thanks to the workshop, I have lots of ideas on how to improve my presentation and message.