My name is Jillian Hollingsworth and this is the story of how the Trump presidency changed the course of my life. Until this past summer, I had never worked for a political candidate. I had always been involved in community betterment programs and active as a volunteer with my children’s school, Meals on Wheels and my inner city neighborhood association. I voted in every election I was able to and volunteered knocking on doors during President Obama’s first election; however, I felt on the outskirts of politics. Like many people, I didn’t think I had much control over what happened in the political arena. But the outcome of the 2016 election combined with the relocation of my family and three young children from a bubble of relative progressiveness to a very red, very rural part of South Carolina left me feeling lost and isolated.
Desperate for connection with like-minded people and an opportunity for solidarity, a close friend and I loaded up our six year old daughters and drove the ten hours into Washington DC to add our voices to the millions of others marching for equality and access to basic human rights for all people. The magnitude of positive energy and hope was palpable and filled me with a new truth. Democracy depends on every voice, including my own. My voice counts and matters and I am capable of making a difference on every political level from local to national. I left the Women’s March with a rekindled fire in my soul believing that I didn’t have to be on the outskirts any longer but I didn’t know exactly what that meant. Back home, I reached out to my local women’s democratic group and met a woman named Mary Geren.
Mary had not yet announced her candidacy for Congress but I knew she was special; she had a spark. A few weeks later, I left my kid’s gymnastic performance early to attend Mary’s official announcement. She would be running for Congress as a Democrat against incumbent, Jeff Duncan, a Republican who loves to show off his Trump socks at every opportunity.
This was a bold and courageous move for Mary and I was impressed with her tenacity. Passionate about her calling as an English Professor, Mother and concerned citizen desiring to improve basic necessities of our society, I could relate to her story. Here was another mother, sharing the same core values, whose beliefs and voice I trusted would represent me. I knew I would not only vote for Mary November 2018, I would do everything in my power to help get her to Washington DC. She was my opportunity to no longer sit on the sidelines. I made my very first contribution to a political candidate. I began volunteering my time calling supporters and organizing house parties where I met more and more people like me ready for change and ready to support Mary. Eventually, I was asked to serve as Mary’s campaign Finance Director and having no idea what I was truly getting myself into, I said ‘YES!’
I was honored and excited for the opportunity to be on the staff of a congressional candidate but to say I wasn’t nervous and a little unsure of my credentials would be a lie. I didn’t have a political science degree. I had never worked in politics much less as a Campaign Finance Director although I had worked for a non-profit hospice doing community outreach and special event fundraising. I knew I would draw on those experiences. Even though I barely weigh 100 pounds, I have always been self-confident. Now my own little voice of self doubt would creep up loud to taunt me... ‘Would I be able to raise the money needed to get Mary to Washington? Am I capable? Am I good enough?’ In these moments, I would rely on my birth work as a birth and postpartum doula to talk myself back to my own inner strength and determination. Recently another congressional candidate cornered me and after complimenting my work, began questioning me ‘how did you get this position?’ Her aggressiveness left me feeling vulnerable and once again doubting, is this what I am supposed to be doing right now? But someone older and wiser reminded me, ‘don’t let others steal your power..people will try to take advantage of you because you are female and you are small in stature, but you don’t owe anyone an explanation, you smile and you own your position.’ And so that is exactly what I am doing. I am owning my position and I am validated by other supporters, my family, the campaign team and the numbers..so far we have raised more than five times the previous three democratic candidates combined and have a big goal of $1,000,000. I believe we can and will reach this goal.
Today I am inspired to share my story in the hopes that it might encourage other women to step up and apply themselves to the political process even if you don’t think you are worthy or capable. You are. You have something to give. Not everyone has to run for office. We need more female candidates, it’s true. But we also need more female campaign staff members cheering on and working hand in hand with their sisters doing the tireless work of campaigning day and night after night. Similarly to the ancient birthing ways where a laboring woman was surrounded by her tribe of female relatives and the wise women of the village, today women running for public office are indeed laboring and need the wisdom, support and camaraderie of their sisters.
When Trump got elected as President, I never imagined my hospice and doula work would lead me to serve as a campaign Finance Director for Mary Geren for Congress but I knew my calling to dive head first into the political process had arrived. I believe in Mary and I believe she can beat the odds and do the impossible. Many times I have reminded myself that just by being me, by harnessing my creativity, by being enthusiastic and hopeful, others are encouraged and motivated. Enthusiasm is contagious and I don’t need a degree or letters after my name to ‘be worthy’ I just need to keep being me. I am good enough. I am capable. And so are you.