I have been so fortunate to know Erin for awhile and have seen her accomplish so many wonderful things, from acting in amazing plays to campaigning for candidates she has been passionate about and marching for issues that matter to her and women all over the world. I wanted to stray a bit from the norm and have an open discussion with her on some of the issues making headlines and the advocacy that is being done for women. I hope you enjoy this enlightening conversation!
1. We have known each other for many years and you have always inspired me to stand up for what I believe in. Today, I wanted to focus our conversation on the power of advocacy and social justice. Can you take me back to your early years of getting involved with advocate groups and political campaigns? What inspired you to join forces with those groups?
Quite frankly, I can’t remember a time where I didn’t harbor an immense fascination by the world of politics—and, consequently, advocacy. I was that weird kid who thought I was much older than I was, who made slightly off-color political jokes at which only adults could simultaneously chuckle and be mortified. To be completely candid, my politics used to be vastly different from what they are today—namely socially. I was outspoken then, as well, because I have always been a fierce—and stubborn—defender of my beliefs. I grew up with a lot of privilege in a very conservative family. There are photos of me protesting abortion at the ripe old age of 5. It wasn’t until I got older and allowed my bubbled world to expand to include the real world around me, and all of its complexities, that my politics became much, MUCH more liberal and progressive. When you know better, do better, right? I’ve always been of the mindset that you’re either an activist or an in-activist. In order to do better, you have to turn your words into action.
2. One of the groups you’ve been incredibly supportive and outspoken for is Planned Parenthood. What does this organization mean to you and how important is it to women?
I’ve had the privilege of lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood (PP) at both the state and federal level. I am a proud patient and supporter of PP, and I always will be. This is an organization that opens its doors to everyone, regardless of party affiliation, socioeconomic background, age, gender, lack of gender—everybody! When people can access healthcare without judgment, everyone is better for it. Planned Parenthood allows women the right to make their own choices about all aspects of their reproductive health, and when that right is at stake, they mobilize and fight where too many shrug their shoulders. They aren’t afraid to be under the microscope because they don’t have anything to hide.
3. The Women’s March in 2017 was such a big event that truly showcased what women have and are enduring in today’s society and you marched it in St. Petersburg, Florida. How did you feel participating and what do you think has come out of such a large show of support?
I needed that march after the election. I think a lot of us did. I worked on the Hillary for America campaign, and I will never forget election night 2016 for as long as I live. Just being around all of those people was energizing and it certainly got me out of my post-election funk. Like, alright, you’ve grieved enough—time to get to work. A few weeks later I was in Tallahassee lobbying on behalf of Planned Parenthood. And for the record, the bill we were up against died in Committee—a reaffirming victory. I attended each of the following marches—in St Pete in 2018 and here in Boston this past January—and although the crowd numbers have dwindled, albeit marginally, the energy and fighting spirit is still in abundance.
4. Another big movement, #MeToo and #TimesUp, has really shaken a lot of industries and has seemed to empower women to speak up and not be silent anymore. What I realized was that a lot more women had stories of abuse and violence than I would have ever thought. What did you think when this first started coming out and how do you think it has changed the landscape?
We have to remember that America is still very patriarchal—it’s woven into society in ways that even I still don’t recognize. When the stories of Harvey Weinstein were coming out, I think most of us barely batted an eye. Abuse of power comes as no surprise, especially when women are on the receiving end of that abuse. What was not necessarily surprising but refreshing was that woman after woman after woman came forward and soon there was an army standing up not just to Weinstein, but several men of power in the entertainment industry—and they’re not done. The effects of this were immediate—studios and theaters now have intimacy directors on set, choreographing scenes that for too long opened the door to sexual harassment and intimidation. Don’t get me wrong, sexual harassment is still rampant in the workplace, and until the ERA is ratified (one state is all we need!), a good chunk of the abuse is going to be swept under the rug, regardless of the people speaking up and speaking out.
5. Between women wanting to have more of a voice and the nation voting for a racist and misogynistic president, we were able to vote 102 women into the House of Representatives and the most diverse Congress in history, which felt like a great step forward. Some of those women are now being called The Squad because of their advocacy and outspokenness. Do you think we can continue this run of voting in strong, opinionated women that are not afraid to stand up to the patriarchy?
Do I ever! I am blessed to live very close to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s district, and I had the honor of hearing her speak at the 2019 March Forward Massachusetts event back in January. She—and the other members of the “Squad”—are so refreshingly honest and unafraid of calling out the bullshit—can I say bullshit?—of not only this horrific administration, but also of their own party, that it seems wildly radical to those who are used to standing on the sidelines with a finger to their lips. Watching women all over the country find the courage to run for public office on all levels should excite everyone.
6. Another thing we have coming up is the Presidential election in 2020 and we currently have 6 women running as Democratic candidates. Who are you excited about and why?
I’m going to quell the urge to be a buzzkill with the oft-touted, “It’s still too early!” line and go all in on Elizabeth Warren. I admit, I had my qualms about her candidacy after she allowed herself to be drawn into the ancestry fray with Trump, but no other candidate—Democrat or Republican—communicates policy as effectively, period.
7. Will you be participating in any campaigns for 2020?
I will absolutely be volunteering for the Democratic nominee, whomever that may be, with zero whining about whether or not someone else should have been the nominee.
8. That is refreshing to see, as that doesn’t always seem to be the case in these elections. What can women do to make their voices heard about issues that really matter to them, whether it be abortion, healthcare, climate change, etc?
Ladies, your vote is your voice, and we are loudest in the voting booth! Women are more than half of the constituency. For any election, women are the entire margin of victory. We hold a lot more power than we have been led to believe, and it’s high time we cash in. That said, don’t be afraid to speak up! Take up all the space! If someone in your family or your friend group makes a flippant remark about something, jump on it. Use it to start a conversation. Call out racism, always. Tease your friend about their plastic straw habit then gift them with a reusable set at your next get-together. And talk about abortion—one in four women have had one. Abortion isn’t a dirty word, it’s healthcare!
9. What is one piece of advice that a parent or role model gave you that still resonates to this day?
Every day before dropping my sisters and me off at school, our Mom would put her own spin on a quote by Teddy Roosevelt: Do the best you can with what you have when you have it. That’s pretty much gospel in my house!
10. Finally, if you had to recommend one book on anything, what would it be?
bell hooks’ Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center should be required reading for everyone. Also, anything by Zadie Smith.
You can show your support for Planned Parenthood by visiting their website here.
Are you registered to vote? If not, make your voice heard and register here.
You can order Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center from Tattered Cover here.
Thank you to Erin for talking with me today 🙂
Women Who Empower and Inspire 