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Top Takeaways, Videos, & Action Links for Friday Power Lunch: "New Day - New Way: New Year's Resolutions from Rural Badesses" on January 3, 2025.
On January 3, 2025, Friday Power Lunch, hosts Katherine White and Finale Norton launched the 5th season by presenting “New Day - New Way: New Year’s Resolutions from Rural Badasses” by dancing into the room with Nina Simone’s Feeling Good, setting the perfect tone for the New Year. Shedding 2024’s disappointments, we embrace 2025 with a fearless resolve to face the challenges ahead.
Katherine announced that the Friday Power Lunch is now on Substack and all should subscribe.
You can watch the entire program here and Subscribe to Substack here. We will be using Substack to alert you about weekly shows.
The first segment of the show featured a robust Power Chat with hosts Katherine White and Finale Norton honoring the legacy of Jimmy Carter, talking about New Year’s resolutions, and announcing that tickets and hotel accommodations are now LIVE for Network NOVA’s 9th Annual Women's Summit, Power Up Your Activism, on June 27-29, at the McLean Hilton, Tysons, VA.
Be sure to register to capture the EARLY BIRD ticket price (ends March 1, 2025).
Watch the Power Chat segment here. Finale and Katherine talk about current news.
Next week, January 10, 2025, join us for a fantastic program with Luisa Boyarski presenting the Virginia Grassroots Coalition’s PRESS CONFERENCE featuring their legislative priorities for the 2025 Virginia General Assembly’s legislative session. Key Virginia Delegates and Senators will join to discuss bills.
GRASSROOTS UPDATE REPORT
LUISA BOYARSKI, Virginia Grassroots Coalition shared the grassroots report. The coalition feels strong in its coordination and messaging about what Democrats have accomplished for Virginia and will continue to work throughout the legislative session to improve strategies. The Virginia General Assembly kicks off on January 8th. We are excited to support 3 Constitutional Amendments in Virginia: Reproductive Health, Marriage Equality, and the Right to Vote.
The audience was called to action to support Virginia's three special election candidates: Jack Trammell and Kannan Srinivasan for State Senate and J.J. Singh for House Delegate. We must win the VA Senate seat to keep the Democratic majority to pass the Amendments, key legislation, and to block bad bills.
Luisa invited activists to join the Virginia Grassroots Coalition’s monthly meeting on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 6 pm for a deeper dive on issues. Email her at vagrassrootscoalition@gmail.com.
Watch this segment with Luisa
LINKS
You will find all calls to action and links for Federal Calls to Action, Lobby Days, Canvassing and Phone Banking to support the Special Elections on the VA Grassroots Coalition Website
GUESTS: Jess Piper & Lynlee Thorne
JESS PIPER (Executive Director at Blue Missouri and author of The View from Rural Missouri) revealed her SECRET dealing with a Republican supermajority in Missouri - it’s simple: be insufferable! She said every day she “punches up” at the Republican dangerous nonsense. Because Republicans tend to take credit for what Democrats deliver and not the blame, Jess highlighted the importance of being specific when pointing out representatives’ actions and decisions.
Jess noted how small changes in the voting behavior of rural voters could have major implications for the outcome of national and local elections. She pointed to a report that found just a 3% percent increase in Democratic support in the rural counties could result in more Democratic victories. Jess also pointed out that 91% of people in information deserts voted for Trump. She stressed the need to reach our rural neighbors: AM Radio, billboards, local papers, and face-to-face conversations.
A must-watch segment with Jess.
LINKS
LYNLEE THORNE
LYNLEE THORNE lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley on a small farm with her 2 young children and a menagerie of livestock. Both farming and being a rural Democrat require a long-term commitment to hard work, perseverance, and cultivation of resilient communities, which Lynlee brings to her work with Rural GroundGame.
Lynlee Thorne (Political Director at Rural GroundGame) joined the conversation with Jess and show hosts to have a lively discussion on breaking silos and the importance of average people being directly and personally involved in the political process. Everyone needs to be empowered to participate, and we must run everywhere! Lynlee stressed we must support candidates in rural areas, and in hard to win seats, and just as important, messages must come from the community.
Listen to this powerful must watch segment:
Website: Rural GroundGame
Big Mic, Show Messenger, with guests Jess Piper and Lynlee Thorne.
Finally! We heard New Year’s Resolutions from Rural BADASS Women: Jess Piper and Lynlee Thorne. A few powerful takeaways: Jess and Lynlee discussed the challenges and opportunities in their respective spaces. Jess highlighted the importance of focusing on the message rather than red versus blue politics, and the need to unite as working-class people.
Lynlee agreed, noting the need to confront monopoly power within our own Dem party and the importance of authenticity.
Get inspired every week. See you on January 10, 2025, at 12 pm ET.
The Friday Power Lunch Crew
Loved seeing Jess Piper on the show..
We must continue to work to help Democrats run everywhere! Jess and Lynlee are original badasses getting it done.