Let’s Fill the Squares on Texas Independence Day

Texas declared its Independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. Our next HCCTDW meeting will take place on March 2, 2021, most appropriately. Texas Independence Day is a good time to focus on our delight in Trump’s departure and our concerns about Republican rule in our state capitol. Starting with Abbott, Patrick, Paxton, the 87th Legislative Session, the list goes on.

           HCCTDW members are invited to fill the “squares” on our March meeting by Zoom, beginning at 12:00 noon and share concerns about issues before the Texas Legislature. We haven’t had many opportunities to hear from members or to express our ideas and frustrations. We are looking forward to a lively exchange on the March call.

President’s Thoughts

January 20, 2021 was a special day for the nation and especially for Hill Country Texas Democratic women. It was the tangible evidence that all the hard work our members (and so many citizens around the nation) had done paid off. We won the prize. The inauguration of Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States of America gave us hope that our democratic nation is on the road to recovery. 

I have had a hard time writing this article because I didn’t know how to express all the optimism I feel. Each time President Joe Biden speaks I get a little teary because he gives me such a sense of pride and hope. As women we are excited by all the women President Biden has appointed to his cabinet as well as to other important positions.  Having the first woman as Vice President who also represents two minority groups is historic. That glass ceiling is falling. We listened in awe to Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet, recited her poem “The Hill We Climb.” It gave me hope that there are many talented young people ready to lead us into the future.

This has been such a strange year for HCCTDW. Not being able to meet for lunch has made it hard to feel there is a reason to belong. Your board has continued to do all the things we usually do. We have met monthly via Zoom. We have tried to make membership in HCCTDW meaningful through two webinars, two in person events at the Nature Center and the food drive at Christmas for Mustard Seed Ministries. The website and Facebook pages have given good information. The newsletter has been filled with our activities and details of the work we have been doing. 

Because our food drive at Christmas was so successful the Board decided we should do it again as a Valentine project. We are excited to be part of this service that is so important to our community. February 9th is a date we all need to put on our calendar. Cash donations as well as food products will be collected as members drive through the parking lot at Light on the Hill (Mt. Wesley).

We know you will be generous. We especially look forward to seeing you in person. Sometimes it is hard to recognize each other with our masks on but that doesn’t stop us from being glad to see each other.

We hope everyone is staying safe. Hopefully we will be able to get our vaccines soon. As our new President Joe Biden has said “Help is on the way.” We believe it is and that keeps our spirits high as we look forward to the day, we can have a lunch meeting again.  

Sylvia Ostos