SiveSiftings: Rebecca Sive Talks Back

Did You See Saul Alinsky the Other Night at the Kennedy Center? (Not-to-mention, President Obama and Rev. Al Sharpton)

2012-02-01T15:22:00.000-06:00

Did You See Saul Alinsky the Other Night at the Kennedy Center?

Yes, yes, I know, I'm like a broken record, keeping writing about Saul Alinsky. But, as they sing on the records I like the best, he's my main (political) man. So, there it is: I can't help myself.

This Saul Alinsky piece is mostly about the unlikely duo of President Obama, "Mr. Cool," and The Rev. Al Sharpton, (a "Mr. Hot," to a lot of people), and their mutual affinity for Alinsky's lessons. I'm taking comfort in the apparent closeness of this relationship, since this common understanding of Alinsky's approach to politics is about making sure the 99% gets what it should.

The piece is my latest for Huffington Post Politics and RH Reality Check, and discusses this Presidential partnership -- going back to my favorite records -- in light of what James Brown sang on Soul Train back-in-the-day.

In memory of Don Cornelius, the genius who created Soul Train; James Brown; Saul Alinsky; and recollecting what each of them taught us, the President, and The Rev., I send this piece along.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

Kantor Book Kerfluffle Misses the Point: Michelle Obama Could Be This Generation's Eleanor Roosevelt

2012-01-13T11:33:00.000-06:00

Dear Readers:

I confess: I couldn't resist writing about the latest Michelle Obama as "angry black woman" dust-up. So, I did.

My piece was published yesterday by RH Reality Check, as well as by Huffington Post Politics.

I hope you'll read it, and tell me what you think, as well as share it on Facebook, Twitter, etc. For, on the serious side of things, 2012 is an historic year, presenting unique opportunities for every American woman, beginning with the First Lady, to help turn this ship of state around.

Take care, happy new year, and happy January, month of the birthday (I share it) of Thomas Paine (one of my main heroes); way cool.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

The inside hardball on President Obama's Plan B emergency contraception decision

2011-12-14T11:12:00.000-06:00

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/article/2011/12/13/what-does-obama-administrations-emergency-contraceptive-reversal-really-mean

Dear Readers:

I was dumbfounded by the President's decision to prevent over-the-counter access to safe, emergency contraception for sexually-active teenagers (16 and under; there are lots of them), especially when all the docs, up to and including his FDA director, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, told him such access would be a good idea.

After thinking about the decision for a while, I realized what's also at-play in this decision: the willingness of two progressive, pro-choice women public officials, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (unabashedly), and Dr. Hamburg (so far), to go along with the President's decision.

There's been a hue and cry all over the place about this decision, both from a public health standpoint and a political standpoint (whose votes does this decision garner, really; for starters, surely not independent women voters with teenage children, who the President needs and wants, badly).

Here is my solution to this sorry state-of-affairs, in which people in important political positions ignore the needs of the less-fortunate among us, in favor of advancing their own careers: Elect more women.

Of course, any woman won't do, but the more in-place, the more chance the rest of us will have to lobby them to do what's right for their sisters.

And while we're at it, let's hold the ones already elected and appointed to a higher standard, i.e., a standard that doesn't sacrifice the health of young women to the desire to placate conservative men.

I hope you'll share this link on your Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc. accounts and also join me @RebeccaSive, aka #Political Girl.

Thanks for reading.

Rebecca

Girlfriends: When Men Are Deciding What Women Should Have, It's Time To Head for the Hills (and Make a Plan) | RH Reality Check

2011-11-29T10:45:00.000-06:00

Girlfriends: When Men Are Deciding What Women Should Have, It's Time To Head for the Hills (and Make a Plan) | RH Reality Check

Dear Readers:

Jodi Jacobson, editor of RH Reality Check, asked me to write a piece about the latest contretemps over access to birth control.

Yup, can you believe it: We're talking about access to birth control in 2011! Well, that's exactly the point of the piece. Pathetic, really, the times we're in.

You can find the piece at the link above. I hope you'll share it and encourage friends and colleagues to do so, as well as to make their feelings known to official Washington and to their Catholic voter-friends.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Mississippi Goddam? Not so fast.

2011-11-16T10:20:00.000-06:00

Dear Readers:

Mississippi Goddam was first sung by Nina Simone on an album she released in 1964, marking the beginning of her career as a "civil rights singer."

I can't remember when I first heard it, but the song jumped-to-mind last week, as Mississippians were voting on the "egg-as-person" initiative.

As I wrote in my piece, Nina Simone Said Mississippi Goddam: I Thought It, thankfully, Mississippians had the good sense to vote-down this foolishness.

My piece was first published by RH Reality Check, as part of its comprehensive coverage of "egg-as-person."

The coverage includes a particularly good piece by #Political Girl's pal, Ellen Chesler, on the heroic efforts of #Planned Parenthood. Ellen's message: Look-out, anti-choice politicians. I love it.

Mississippi Goddam? Not-so-fast.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

P.S.I was so pleased the piece was picked-up by Alternet, Daily Kos and Firedoglake, among others. Thanks to all of you.

Huey Long advises Occupy Wall Street: Want an agenda? Take mine.

2011-10-27T10:02:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers:

As I write in this piece, featured in Huffington Post Politics last week, I've written about Huey Long in these, (and other), pages before.

That's because, as I also say in the piece, there is no one better than Long, excepting, perhaps, the authors of the Declaration of Independence, at making the case for economic justice in these United States.

Long says "what time it is," to use a phrase of the Chicago streets, also now being occupied by Occupy Wall Street.

A friend told me that the appeal of Occupy Wall Street to many of her students is that it is theatre, as much as it is politics: I'm now hoping that as the theatre gets colder, and the play drags-on, Occupy Wall Street will read Huey Long on "share our wealth," and share Long's ideas among themselves.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

Pro-choice Jewish women are instrumental to President Obama's re-election

2011-09-30T08:59:00.000-05:00

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2011/09/29/prochoice-jewish-women-instrumental-president-obamas-reelection

Dear Readers,

After contemplating the horrifying notion of pro-choice Jews voting for a likely-anti-choice Republican presidential candidate, because they don't like President Obama's views on Palestinian statehood, I wrote the piece at the link above.

Thanks to Jodi Jacobson, editor of RH Reality Check, who posted it this morning.

Anyway, I really, really hope you are a reader of Jodi's. She does amazing work.

Then, when you have a chance, go to today's New York Times. It discusses President Obama's strategy of seeking votes in Colorado, say, because Ohio and other states like it are proving tough at the moment.

This is exactly why I'm suggesting that Jewish, pro-choice women voters are so important to President Obama's election. We are Democrats through and through, and we live in Ohio and other big, tough "rust-belt" states. (Remember: Winner takes all in the Electoral College. Every vote counts.)

A happy new year to all and most especially to President Obama.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

Girls' School for Politics Open Now

2011-09-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

Girls' School for Politics Open Now

Dear Readers:

Good morning.

At the link above is my back-to-school blogpost, which appeared late last week in RH Reality Check and in Huffington Post Politics.

Though not all of you are enrolled in this school, if you are curious about the lessons it teaches, I think the post will be informative.

Related to this topic, September is the birth month of Jane Addams, one of America's greatest politicians, though she was never elected to any government office.

The first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, among other great political acts, Addams was president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom during another warring time in our history.

Of course, Addams wouldn't have known and, if she had, she probably wouldn't have liked, the term "girl power," but that is what she was all about.

And that's what we need to be all about, too. Read here, to learn how to think about girl power in these times.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

Toni Preckwinkle and Caitlin Sive: Two Inspiring Women

2011-08-16T11:17:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

Occasionally, this gets real personal, as I wrote recently in this piece for Huffington Post Chicago.

The piece is about two favorite women of mine, Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle,* and my eldest niece, Caitlin Sive. Both are doing some amazing things right now.

I hope you'll keep doing your amazing work, too.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

*The first elected woman President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Enuff-already with this almost women's suffrage month banana republic episode

2011-07-25T15:02:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

I have no idea whether "our politics," as President Obama terms it, would be better, or worse, if women were the leaders dealing with America's current economic crisis.

However, since I don't subscribe to the view that women are better, or kinder, or less combative than men, I'm guessing that just like President Obama is fighting hard with everything he's got, a Democratic woman President would be, too.

Sadly--notwithstanding this commitment of the President to the rest of us--today, an important conference call, with HHS Secretary Sebelius--regarding the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that family planning assistance be provided at no cost-- has been postponed: One (more) piece of important national business thrust aside, as this tragic chapter drags on.

Would a woman President have directed her HHS Secretary to postpone this particular meeting? I don't know this, either, obviously. However, in this fact context, I think it's worth thinking about why women choose to run for President.

My July blogging for Huffington Post Women focused on just this question: See here.

When Betty Ford passed away earlier this month, I was moved to write about the bully pulpit First Ladies have. [This piece struck a chord with both Daily Kos and Firedoglake, which I was quite pleased about.]

Now, as we approach the anniversary month of women's suffrage, let's hope our leaders, all of them, can get back on track, and get done the things that need doing; say, helping Secretary Sebelius provide better health care for American women.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Why do women run for office? Because they are all feminists.

2011-06-30T12:15:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

This Fourth of July piece of mine, about "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" for women,* was just posted in the Huffington Post Women feed.

Do tell me your thoughts and all the best for your Fourth of July weekend.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

*Including women who would be president, e.g., Hillary Clinton and Michele Bachmann

A Love Letter to Louisiana

2011-06-20T09:32:00.001-05:00

http://www.onearth.org/blog/atchafalaya-scrapbook

Dear Readers,

At the link above, you'll find a piece of mine for OnEarth, the online magazine of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

The article is my 2011 "Atchafalaya Scrapbook," which makes (just my most recent) case for loving Louisiana. [Thanks to Steve Tomashefsky for the pictures that are the good ones!]

I hope you'll read the piece, and, more importantly, I hope you will support NRDC, the Gulf Restoration Network, and others doing really great work to save "...the Gulf Stream waters..."

Take care.

Rebecca

What Does Sarah Palin Want? Looks Like She Has What She Wants.

2011-06-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

What Does Sarah Palin Want? It Looks Like She Has What She Wants.

Dear Readers,

Last week, I was quite amused by the frustration of the (mostly male-pundit) mainstream media as it chased Sarah Palin around, wondering what she was up to and where she was going--both literally and figuratively.

By contrast, I thought she was pretty clear about what she was up-to. So, I wrote the piece at the link above.

Then, I scored a new and unexpected notch on my belt when various conservative outlets picked-up the piece. I'm now waiting for invitations to speak!

Sincerely,

Rebecca

With Thanks to Beyonce: Chicago Women "Run This Motha" This Inauguration Day

2011-05-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,
Thanks to Beyonce´, I was inspired to write this piece for Chicagoans thinking about our upcoming and historic Inauguration Day.
Yes, historic for the inauguration of Rahm Emanuel, notable in so many respects, but in particular in my view, for his grounding in community organizing and hardcore political dealmaking. (I think that's good, in case you're wondering.)
But, the day is equally notable for the history two women will make: Stephanie Neely, re-elected City Treasurer, and Susana Mendoza, newly-elected City Clerk.
In the context of Beyonce's latest hit, "Run The World (Girls)," here's an excerpt from my piece about the significance of Neely's and Mendoza's election:
"...(T)wo of three municipal officers to be sworn in are women. And not just any women, but an African-American and an Hispanic. And neither, by any measure, a stand-in or a yes-woman for anybody."
There's more here. I think you'll find the piece inspirational, as well as, per usual, provocative.
Rebecca

Putting the ‘man’ back in alder-man: number of women serving in City Council down 8 percent

2011-04-19T10:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

Below is the text of an April 14th article about the 2011 Chicago City Council election, specifically discussing the decline in the number of "alderwomen."

The article, quoting K. Sujata, fabulous new head of the Chicago Foundation for Women, as well as yours truly, was written by Laura Phelps for the Medill News Service.

Rebecca
________________________________________________________________________
When the next Chicago city council enters City Hall next month, four fewer women will be among the city’s 50 aldermen than today’s session.

The 8 percent decrease, from 19 to 15 female alderman, will leave the city with 30 percent female representation at the ward level. More women live in Chicago than men, however. According to census data, approximately 72,000 more women than men live within the city limits, accounting for 51.3 percent of the city’s total population.

The Chicago Foundation for Women is worried about potentially negative consequences for wards with fewer women representatives.

"Of course we are concerned when the number of women in leadership positions drops," said K. Sujata, president and CEO of the Chicago Foundation for Women. “What this means in practical terms is that the men, who make up the majority of aldermen, need to be champions for women and girls. After all, when women are affected by policies and budgets, their families and entire communities are affected.

The Illinois State Legislature ranks eighth in the county in terms of percentage of female representatives, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. Rebecca Sive, a public affairs strategist, said it’s impossible to compare state and local offices because the work of an alderman is so different from that of a state legislator. State representatives have more opportunity to deal with larger women’s issues while aldermen are typically more focused on day-to-day constituents’ concerns.

But the more women there are in office, Sive said, the better off communities will be for women’s rights and family issues such as domestic abuse and rape prosecution.

“The main point is that not as many women [as men] choose to run,” she said, “and therefore not as many women win.”

Women’s advocacy groups may be the hardest hit, Sive added.

“If you’re an advocate, and there are more women,” she said, “then there are more people – more women – to make your case to. So that’s something of a loss.”

Sive does not believe that gender played a major role during the recent aldermanic elections, however. Each city council race was so localized in terms of the issues facing individual wards, she said, that it’s hard to say that gender played a systematic role.
_____________________________________________________________________________
©2001 - 2010 Medill Reports - Chicago, Northwestern University. A publication of the Medill School.

Planned Parenthood's Almost Demise, Michele Bachmann's Presidential Exploration, Geraldine Ferraro's Death Mark New Chapter in American History

2011-04-12T10:14:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

Can I tell you that "I've had it up to here" with the current national strategies for securing women's rights, and positions of greater power for pro-choice women, in American politics?

The proverbial march isn't the answer, but we sure have lost our way. Here are my current thoughts on the matter:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-sive/michele-bachmann-presidential-run_b_847433.html

Best wishes.

Rebecca
(with a new website at: http://www.rebeccasive.com/; I hope you'll check it out.)

Eight Rules to Help Nonprofit Leaders Navigate a New World

2011-04-06T10:15:00.001-05:00

Dear Readers,

Here is a piece of mine recently published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy. ___________________________________________________________________
For years, I’ve lived in Chicago and put the Rules for Radicals, developed by the great community organizer Saul Alinsky to the test, just like so many of my colleagues running the nation’s nonprofits. But I’ve come to the conclusion that the Great Recession, and the changes in the political environment accompanying it, require a new set of rules.

To be sure, some of Mr. Alinsky’s rules still apply:

• Never neglect your base.
• Focus on the issue that gathers the most people across the most constituencies.
• It’s the organizing, not the momentarily troubling situation, that matters most.

But today’s organizational environment is completely different from what it was in 1971 when Mr. Alinsky wrote his manual.

Perhaps most important to realize at the outset of 2011 is this: No matter whether or when we get back to the days of “full employment” and manageable government deficits, the notion that any government leader of any political persuasion anywhere will be comfortable authorizing massive amounts of government money for nonprofits that provide or advocate for social services for needy people is history.

By way of example, just look at my state, Illinois. It is on the brink of bankruptcy. You just don’t go from bankruptcy to largess in any time period that matters in the life of organizations that struggle every day to get the financial fix they need just to survive. This is especially unlikely given the reality that today in the majority of the states, many of these nonprofits don’t hold the same policy positions as the state officials who hold the purse strings.

Further, governments don’t go from bankruptcy to largess when so many Americans, so many of the voters who elected these very government officials, question the basic tenet that Mr. Alinsky and his followers subscribe to: that it is government’s responsibility to finance programs that improve the public welfare and help the helpless.

Notably, these Alinsky followers, the generation that founded so many of today’s struggling nonprofits, and often still runs them, is approaching retirement. Even though the retirement of these leaders may come later rather than sooner, because of the tumble personal and institutional finances took in the recession, their mind-set is already very different from what it once was: They might not admit it, but they’re bone-tired. And bone-tired means only one thing to the committed social-change organizer: Do the right thing every day just as fast as you can, for you might not have much time left.

So this brings me to the “new rules” I’ve developed, rules I think these veteran leaders should take to heart in this new era.

• Unless you’re able and willing to turn on a dime, find another job. Cataclysmic times require fast and strategic thinking, not about long-term plans, but instead about short-term opportunities that maximize stability and positive results from programs. No others need apply.

• Ambiguity creates opportunity. While people are confused about what path to take, nonprofit leaders can take a chance to shape the agenda and thus build their organizations in smart new ways.

• Consistency of message is everything. So right now (with a nod to James Carville), “it’s the economy, stupid.” Just as the voters made clear in this recent election, it all comes back to economic security. Absent that, for example, good health care, good child care, or a good education can’t be achieved. Significantly, to achieve these ends for America’s at-risk families, organizations need to direct their organizing and services to women, for it is women who head these at-risk families.

• Operating with the mind-set of an entrepreneur is the only fruitful way to proceed. Successful entrepreneurs take calculated risks, quickly. That way, they get to—again, quickly—learn what works and what doesn’t. Likewise, organizations that do this will quickly build good programs that donors will want to support enthusiastically and people of influence will flock to aid.

• Get in on the ground floor with young and new types of donors. Build personal relationships with them that are constant and deep. You don’t have time to wait for older rich donors, who devote most of their giving to elite causes, to find you and give you a pittance. Instead, go out and find the new rich, those who haven’t yet made their mark in the broader community but who want to, quickly. Read the tech pages.

• Your board members should be risk-takers. The Sarbanes-Oxley law and other mood-changers have meant new fiscal and legal responsibilities for nonprofit board members. But the green eyeshades won’t suffice. Boards must also be willing to take risks to fight for change.

• Staff members should be young and hungry. Hire people half your age to help you figure out how to adjust to this new world. No matter how in-sync you may think you are with today’s changing world, you need people around you who have a different kind of knowledge and have grown up thinking differently.

• Consensus is not the optimal decision-making approach in these times. Leaders must be willing to stand alone and say I know what is the right thing to do, and I direct you to do it, forthwith. Otherwise, you’ll be building consensus while people in need go without aid. In an era in which one of every five children in America goes to bed hungry, there isn’t time for consensus. Instead, you need to assess situations yourself, engage staff members in thoughtful discussions to learn their views, and then decide on a path to take and oversee the effort to make it happen, also forthwith.

As Saul Alinsky wrote in delivering his rules: “What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be.” So, too, are these rules. ____________________________________________________________________ Rebecca

American Girls with American Political Dreams

2011-03-23T11:00:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

Here is a question that I posed to you before; worried me for weeks this winter; still does, if you want to know the truth.

In light of the shooting of Gabby Giffords and the death of Christina Taylor Green, are there still young American women out there who dream of political office?

So, I wrote this piece about Gabby Giffords and Christina Taylor Green: American Girls with American Political Dreams.

You may have seen it in my occasional newsletter, but, for Women's History Month, I've posted it here, too.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Block by block: What will Chicago's next mayor do for Chicago's families?

2011-02-14T14:30:00.007-06:00

Dear Readers,

This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting John W. Fountain, Chicago Sun-Times columnist and former Chicago Tribune, New York Times and Washington Post writer, when he and I participated in a conversation with Alison Cuddy on her WBEZ program: Eight Forty-Eight.

The topic was what Chicago's next mayor should do in the way of creating family-friendly policies, specifically policies that would help low-income and woman-headed families combat neighborhood violence, get better schools, and generally develop thriving communities. Food-for-thought, indeed, as we head into this last week of this historic mayoral primary campaign.

Best wishes.

Rebecca

http://www.wbez.org/staff/alison-cuddy

Right to Abortion about to Become Privilege of the Rich Only

2011-01-27T15:08:00.014-06:00

Dear Readers,

Here are links to a piece of mine, published last week, on the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, in The Huffington Post and RH Reality Check.

Alternately titled: "Pitts is the Pits," in honor of U.S. House of Representatives Member Joe Pitts, Republican from Pennsylvania, who chairs the House committee with jurisdiction over the matter of abortion funding, I let him have it in this piece. Time to disrespect these guys, just like they've disrespected us.

A couple days ago, Rep. Pitts said: "...the momentum [in Congress] is on the pro-life side..." [See here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20029391-503544.html.]

Indeed, things really are going from bad to worse on this front. So, if there was ever a time you thought about getting involved in the fight for women's reproductive rights, but you didn't act on the thought, now is definitely that time to act.

Planned Parenthood, NARAL, the ACLU, the Center for Reproductive Rights; take your pick; there are lots of good options for activists.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Chicago mayor's race heats up for the New Year: Listen here to a take on what's what.

2011-01-07T15:33:00.010-06:00

Dear Readers,

The Chicago mayor's race is heating up: At this link is a segment from the Eight Forty-Eight show on WBEZ, the Chicago NPR affiliate, talking about the latest. [I was a part of this conversation about what the New Year has brought us so far on this not-so-fun front.]

Happy New Year!

Rebecca

I never thought Rev. Meeks wanted to be Mayor. Turns out, I was right.

2010-12-23T17:05:00.024-06:00

"First, he dilly-dallied. Then, he claimed that the only way he could or would do it would be to remain as pastor of his church, clearly an untenable idea to anyone with a serious understanding of the voting electorate in Chicago..." Keep reading here.

Rev Meeks is history in the mayoral race department. [This link takes you to Rev. Meeks's statement about dropping-out.]

The most interesting part of the statement is his recommendation that Carol Moseley-Braun and Danny Davis withdraw, too.

Now, why in the world, you might wonder, is he proposing this? Something to think about in the midst of all the holiday cheer. [Never a dull moment for Chicago politics junkies. That's for sure.]

Happy trails.

Rebecca

I hit The Washington Post (when I write about Michele Bachmann)!

2010-12-14T15:15:00.038-06:00

Dear Readers,

Here is my latest post for The Huffington Post national Politics page: It's my take on: My favorite prairie home companion.

As the holidays approach, it's sentimental fun to think about "...over the river and through the woods," "the little house on the prairie," and Lake Woebegone, even though most of us don't live anything like that these days. But, this week, when I thought "prairie," I thought about Minnesota's wonderful U.S. Senator, Amy Klobuchar.

In my piece, I put the maybe U.S. Senate match-up between Amy Klobuchar and Michele "Tea Party" Bachmann in the context of what's at stake for the rest of us.

Here is the link to The Washington Post piece, where Chris Cilizza, Washington Post political columnist, comments on my post.

Here is the link to the dust-up about my post in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Last, here are the very thoughtful words of a friend, commenting on what's at stake:

"I really liked your essay, especially your dissection of Bachmann's and Klobuchar's relationship to the Pledge. We do have these bedrock principles and values, and yet Bachmann dismisses them while mouthing her support of them. On the other hand, so many of these political match ups between strong politicians like Klobuchar and right-wing politicians like Bachmann frighten me because I no longer see with certainty that voters will distinguish between the good and the bad. The distortions that the right-wing uses to secure its gains appear to have no boundaries, and when they can make someone like Michele Bachmann appear to be a mouthpiece for freedom, there's no saying what they'll do to someone like Amy."

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Rahm: I've Got Seven Million Dollars, Don't You Mess With Me

2010-11-17T18:01:00.027-06:00

Dear Readers,

The latest news coming from Rahm Emanuel's campaign for mayor of Chicago gave me a chance to write this piece for The Huffington Post, featuring one of my favorite and most inspirational people, the great Mississippi/Chicago blues singer, Muddy Waters.

It was Muddy's song, "Hoochie Coochie Man," in which Muddy sang: "I've got seven hundred dollars, don't you mess with me," that inspired me to write the piece.

I hope you'll check the piece out here, (the top-featured post in today's Chicago HP edition). And I hope you'll share it, post it, and twitter it, besides. For one thing, the musical clip of Muddy will start your day out just right.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Big Girls Don't Cry, the (non-New Jersey/yes-Chicago) Version

2010-11-03T15:06:00.022-05:00

Dear Readers,

Big Girls Don't Cry, this version featuring Toni Preckwinkle, newly-elected President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, (Cook County's government is larger than that of 29 states), and Lisa Madigan, newly re-elected Attorney General of Illinois, and maybe candidate for Chicago Mayor, may be found here.

On this day after an historic and, in some ways, troubling election, I'm looking on the bright side.

I hope you'll find this post inspirational to the girls and women in your life.

Best wishes.

Rebecca