It’s Quarantine day 19 and I think I’ve finally found a decent morning routine. I have my alarm set for 8:15, which gives me an hour and 15 minutes to make coffee and have some time to myself before I start client work at 9:30.
In my “free hour”, I have been making breakfast and either reading or writing something not related to work. A few times I’ve been tempted to just start work early, but then I quickly realize I have all day to work and there’s plenty of time to get things done.
This has helped me prioritize myself, while also carving out time to read! I’m pretty pumped to share my latest read: “Make Trouble” by Cecile Richards. Here’s the scoop:
Cecile Richards has been an activist since she was taken to the principal’s office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. Richards had an extraordinary childhood in ultra-conservative Texas, where her civil rights attorney father and activist mother taught their kids to be troublemakers. In the Richards household, the “dinner table was never for eating—it was for sorting precinct lists.”
From the time Richards was a girl, she had a front-row seat to observe the rise of women in American politics. She watched her mother, Ann, transform from a housewife to an electrifying force in the Democratic party who made a name for herself as the straight-talking, truth-telling governor of Texas. But Richards also witnessed the pitfalls of public life that are unique to women. Her experiences paint a powerful portrait of the misogyny, sexism, fake news, and even the threat of violence confronting those who challenge authority.
As a young woman, Richards worked as a labor organizer alongside women earning minimum wage, and learned that those in power don’t give it up without a fight. Now, after years of advocacy, resistance, and progressive leadership, she shares her story for the first time— from the joy and heartbreak of activism to the challenges of raising kids, having a life, and making change, all at the same time.
She shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her through good times and bad, and encourages readers to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way. Richards has dedicated her life to taking on injustice, and her memoir will inspire readers to hope and action.
I actually got this book a few years ago when I attended her Austin stop on its book tour. She did a Q&A at the Paramount Theatre, moderated by Wendy Davis and I was in awe.
For 2017 and 2018, I worked at an abortion clinic and I learned a lot about abortion providers and the politics and legislation that surrounds the procedure and it’s providers.
Planned Parenthood has made great strides in providing healthcare to those who need it, but also sparking related conversation and activism.
We shook the capital to its foundation. We knew that our last hope of stopping the bill before midnight was to create so much raucous noise and chaos that they couldn’t continue with business as usual. The lieutenant governor called us an ‘unruly mob.’ Funny — in some parts of the world, they called that democracy in action.
I absolutely loved this book! Parts of it took place in Texas, where Cecile grew up, and it mentioned her mom, Ann Richards, who stirred up all kinds of trouble 🙂 It makes me want to read more about her!
I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re an activist, or at all interested in women’s rights. The next book Blanche’s Book Club will be reading “Saint X” by Alexis Schaitkin.
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