National delegate Mildred from Meriden, Connecticut is no stranger to the political process. For the last eleven years she has worked in the state general assembly for the Connecticut House Majority Leader Chris Donovan. But she’s also no stranger to the economic hardship facing many people in her community this fall.
Before she got the job with the state general assembly, Mildred was a single mother trying to care for her children with her small monthly welfare check. She dropped out of high school, had her first child, and then joined the state’s welfare-to-work program. Through that program, Mildred was able to go back to school and get her degree, and then the same program landed her a job with the state assembly. Now a 36-year-old married mother of three, Mildred hasn’t looked back since. She says her experience has made her even more excited to be working for the Democratic Party at the convention.
The Democratic Party fought for the programs that made me self-sufficient today – from job assistance to rental assistance to financial aid to go back to school. I wouldn’t be where I am today without these Democratic programs.
Mildred says those programs are even more important today.
People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. We’re want something better. We need some major change in the economy. We need to elect Democrats to keep these important programs that helped people like me. I am where I am today because of these opportunities to go out and better yourself, and I’ve tried to pay it back.
Mildred decided early on to support Barack. She’s registered voters, canvassed neighborhoods, and even set up a small office before the primary that organized volunteers to knock on over 1,000 doors. “I take any opportunity to get people involved. Our local headquarters won’t open until September, but we have a lot of volunteers ready to work.”
Though she’s been involved in politics for over a decade, this is Mildred’s first time going to the convention.
When I applied, I knew it would be a long shot, but now I’m just so excited to go. The whole process is a learning experience for me. I’m excited to learn more about how the delegate system works.
Mildred, who is Hispanic, also serves as the Democratic Chair in Meriden. She is both the first woman and first Hispanic to hold the position. “So I’m looking forward to meeting other women and Latinos at the convention who are involved in the Party,” she says.
Most of all, Mildred is just glad to once again be able to do something for the Party that helped her.
My home town is a working-class, diverse, blue-collar community and I’m looking forward to representing them and helping to give them the same opportunities I had.
With five days to go until the start of the Democratic National Convention, excitement is building in Denver and across America. Soon, delegates from all fifty states will convene in the Mile High City to cast their ballots for Barack Obama and witness his acceptance of the Democratic Party's nomination for president of the United States.
Thursday, August 28th will be the biggest night of the campaign so far. Even if you can’t be in Denver, you can be a part of this historic convention by attending a Convention Watch Party in your area.