Inclusive women community leaders unite to endorse Anna Kelles

Full endorsement letter originally published in the Ithaca Times.

We, the undersigned, are endorsing Anna Kelles for State Assembly, 125th District. We are all progressives. We are leaders in our community. And we are women, women raising our united voices with this endorsement. We write this not as representatives of any organizations, but as concerned private citizens. We will not remain silent when so much is at stake…

We are artists, politicians, businesswomen, authors, academics, and front-line workers who have made our mark. We work and sacrifice for our community. More importantly, we are women, women who are daughters, mothers, aunts, and grandmothers who believe all of our children deserve the best hope for a brighter future. Doing what we have always done before is no longer an option. We need new ideas and new perspectives. We need to elect a representative who is uniquely suited for this difficult time and has a vision for our future. Anna Kelles is that candidate… 

A superior candidate should not have to wait her turn. In the words of the great Barbara Jordan, we don’t need another “run-of-the-mill-politician” who fits the mold. During this time, we need the woman who breaks the mold, a woman with brains, heart, courage and authenticity. That’s Anna Kelles…. We hope you’ll join us in supporting her on election day.

Sincerely,
Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Eliza VanCort, Aleshia Akers, Anna Bartel, Kathy Bergin, Gladys Brangman, Cynthia Henderson, Sara Xayarath Hernández, Rachel Hockett, Kathy Jett, Anne Koreman, Dianne Mack, Johara Malcolm, Harmony Malone, Barbara Mink, Tish Pearlman, Alice Ploss, Yael Saar, Katie Spallone, Anke Wessels