Denver Dispatch 5 - Day 2 before the evening speeches
I have to admit, I had no idea what this convention was going to be like. So, when I agreed to blog my experience, I didn’t know I was going to be quite as busy as I have been.
Breakfast:
Every day starts with a breakfast for the entire New York State delegation. The focus was that today is the 88th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage which of course, was fought and won in Western NY. Many amazing women addressed our delegation. Among them were Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, New York’s First Lady Michelle Paterson and the one who left me most awe-struck, Caroline Kennedy.
As I was reminded over and over again of the struggle and sacrifices that women from our own community risked to grant women the right to vote, and the differences that women have made in our history since then, I can’t help but want to spread the word to every woman in earshot that it is a responsibility to get out and vote. Help spread the word!
Lunch:
Interestingly, the Human Rights Campaign Luncheon had more members of congress present than any other for the entire Convention. The presence of the LGBT community at this Convention has been undeniably strong. So much so that the luncheon couldn’t accept all the people who showed up. Capacity was 600 and anyone who wasn’t registered had to wait for someone to leave in order to get in. Once in they were able to see Congressman Barney Frank and Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, but once again stealing the show, was special guest Michelle Obama. She was very clear in outlining Barack’s history of supporting the LGBT community, however, noticeably absent was any mention of marriage equality.
Gavel
At 3pm, the program starts at the Pepsi Center. It’s called the Gavel and it’s what you get to see an hour of on TV at night. We were asked to get there early to support Governor Paterson who was speaking. I got there at about 3:45 (The evening went until Hillary finished speaking at 9:15). The experience at the Gavel tonight was incredibly overwhelming. I will write more highlights about it in the morning and send photos, but what I can tell you is this, I was awestruck!
Related posts:
Please, PLEASE, learn to spell Paterson.
Done - thanks - sorry - hurried cut and paste isn’t always the right way to go.
Soo Monty -
Did you have any other thoughts on the post or the series of the convention?