Why I Attended My First RCDW Meeting

Sep 5

Sheleen, a brand new member of RCDW, shares her political journey and what led her to join us at our August meeting:

My initial entry into politics came from being born in a small town in Connecticut. My Grandfather was the Town Clerk, my Great Uncle was a Judge, and my Dad was a businessman and a Justice of the Peace. The unique thing was that my mom was a “Rabid” Republican and my dad a “Died in the Wool” Democrat. My first campaign experience was at age seven, when I worked on Dwight D. Eisenhower’s campaign for his second term.

I was given tasks I could do at the dining room table, like stamping postcards and gluing felt elephants on little hats. The dinner table debates were lively, and I tell people I grew up in a bipartisan family. It continued over the years and became even more demanding when my mom became the head of the Republican Women’s Club. Then in 1966 the Party put her forward as the candidate for Town Treasurer, leveraging her maiden name. I was recruited to do many tasks for her campaign, mostly clerical and gopher jobs. I was photographed with my parents and my four younger brothers in political ads. The expression on my dad’s face projected his utter disdain. I bore the shame of being driven to my first year of college in the family station wagon covered in signs and stickers for her campaign. Color scheme: Hot Pink and Black! It was not the political statement she made that bothered me. I was proud of her, but that is not how I wanted to make a first impression at college. She was elected and was the first woman in that office!

During her campaign, my dad hosted a competitive event at our home for Democratic local and state candidates. My mother had the house ready and then disappeared for the day. My dad begged me to be the hostess. Of course, I did that for him. That day I got to meet U.S. Senate candidate Emilio Q. Daddario and see their replica space capsule on the back of a trailer. Daddario shook my hand and said, “Well, aren’t we raising lovely Democrats here!”

Who could develop a political stance in one direction or the other in that family? It wasn’t until I got to college, with some distance and perspective, that I began to develop my own thoughts and understanding of the larger world. We had some interesting speakers at the College of New Rochelle, just a short train ride from Manhattan, including Alan Greenspan. I marched in the 1969 Peace March in Washington, DC, and in the Women’s Strike for Equality in August 1970, right down Fifth Avenue.

I graduated in 1970 with a degree in Fine Arts but no MRS. to show for it. In those days, many considered that a failure. The college hired me as the Associate Director of Admissions to recruit women students for future classes. That proved to be quite a challenge in a world that was expanding women’s rights and opening men’s colleges to women. I learned valuable skills there, but after three years in that role, it was time to move on. Politics took a back seat as I focused on everyday responsibilities and making a living.

In 1973, I married a man I had met through the college admissions circuit who lived in Louisville, Kentucky. I drove my Ford Pinto from New York to Louisville, pulling a little U-Haul trailer with my meager belongings as I set off on a new adventure. My first job there was as a Public Relations Director for the Kentucky Opera Association. I got the job because I’d moved from NYC (impressive!), had been to the Metropolitan Opera (apparently a requirement), and wore a cute hat. My husband was also a huge opera buff, though I didn’t mention that. Apparently, the combination and my ridiculous confidence won the day.I was fortunate to meet some of Louisville’s social elite, including Mitch McConnell and his first wife. At the time, he was an attorney who would later be elected Jefferson County Judge-Executive.

During this time, I wasn’t following politics. I was focused on juggling children, jobs, the economy, and everyday life. Sometimes blue made sense; other times, red did. Times changed, people changed, and so did the needs of the people. Obama brought me back to caring and feeling how important each of us is in the political fabric. My kids felt the same way. Our pride and hope were abundant!

And then…the wheels came off the bus, and we ended up with a manufactured, manipulative character/puppet who answered to some insidious, destructive force. Neither Biden nor Harris had a chance.

So much of the America we all love seems to be slipping away—human rights being stripped, the Constitution twisted for personal advancement and financial gain, and the rule of law steadily eroding. And every day, it seems to get worse. Who will stand up to the tyrant or unveil the wizard behind the curtain?

What can we do to effect positive change to give our government back to The People, for the People? It starts with me and you right here in Rutherford County and all TN counties. Look at the progress you all are making. This is not a battle between Red and Blue; this is a fight for life, for good vs evil. We need everyone we can find to join us and the candidates we support. Every little thing each individual can do to join this critical effort as we head to the midterms is essential. Midterm victories will send a HUGE message: Americans are no longer buying Trump’s fabrications, and we are pushing back. Our candidates are pushing back! Now we need massive voter turnout to put them in office. We need to tell ALL voters, not just Democrats, that November is our chance to tell Trump: No more lies. We are DONE with you.

3 things we need to keep in mind:

Autocracy or Democracy? Pick One
Actions speak louder than words.
Think for yourself.

Why did I join RCDW? I moved to Murfreesboro from Montclair, NJ in 2023. It takes a while to get settled in a new place. But today’s political landscape is so disturbing that I needed to find my tribe. Watching the primaries got my attention. My first meeting was just the other night, and the spirit, enthusiasm, and energy were outstanding.

I am seventy-something years old and retired, but I am still kickin’ and determined to provide my skills, my time, and my dedication. Please join me.

With respect and love,

Sheleen

Kelly Messerly