1. As a masculine presenting gay woman, I’ve never quite seen where I fit within the women’s movement. I never quite see women who look like me represented in movement images despite platforms that do include me.

2. This is why I stepped up, joined the committee, and co-chaired the Tri-Cities Women’s March. I knew that my presence ensured that another masculine presenting gay woman could then see herself in the women’s movement. I wanted her to feel included. (: Ren Allen)

3. Representation matters. We can’t be what we don’t see; a story that’s all too common as children and adults answer the question of what they want to do.

4. I’m reminded of the powerful image of 2 year old Parker Curry is standing in front of the former First Lady @MichelleObama’s portrait at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. (: Ben Hines)

5. In a museum that’s filled with images of white people, this little, Black girl is now toe-to-toe with a powerful, Black woman. The image is powerful because she’s seeing herself represented in a powerful way.

6. @pwcdanica made national news when she was elected to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017 as an openly trans woman— the first openly trans woman elected in Virginia who flipped the seat from an R to a D. (: @TheAdvocateMag)

7. Her historic race inspired many to run and in turn win in record number in 2020.

8. Again, we can’t be what we don’t see.

9. As Chair of the @WCTNDP, I’ve understood how important representation is. It’s not just about having seats at the table, it’s about changing the conversation.

10. Here is an screenshot of WCDP Executive Committee member Julia Bernard’s Facebook post after the March 2019 Re-Organization in Washington County.

Dr. Bernard says in her post, “representation matters” and I couldn’t agree more.

11. As the next Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, focusing on diversity, representation, and inclusion will be the lens I use as I approach staff hires, candidate recruitment, messaging, coalition building, round tables, and voter outreach.

12. Diversity, representation, and inclusion mean everything to me, because I know what it looks like, I know how it feels, and I’ve experienced the barriers.

13. I am a masculine presenting gay woman and I know that no one should have that experience and that leaders should work diligently to remove all barriers.