Laura Chapman
A pink hammer to the patriarchy
No filters, no makeup, no pink, no costumes - just an impromptu trip to see the Barbie movie.
It almost felt like we were breaking some unspoken rule based on all the fanfare I've seen, but we both needed to know what the hubbub was and had a rare evening of no scheduled work or meetings. So my son James and I made a last-minute decision to ditch all the have-tos on our lists and trek to Brattleboro's historic Latchis Theatre.
Why I give money to people in need - without question
'Panhandling is a desperate enough act for my compassion, and I don't want anyone to be pushed to further desperation'
Let's unpack this statement, which was just repeated to me for what felt like the gazillionth time today: “I don't give panhandlers money, because they're just going to buy drugs with it. I don't want to feed their addiction.” Maybe they are, maybe they're not. But let's say for...
All the things I wish I had said
This most intimate and difficult health choice is not one for the courts. And if the government is allowed to, don’t think that will satisfy the need for power over others.
Of all the days. At first, I thought they might be there to support Planned Parenthood, since the three of them were in front of the clinic, while the rest holding signs were on the other side of the road. “Is this in support of Planned Parenthood?” I asked.
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We are talking about neighbors and loved ones
Hundreds of Windham County residents - children, veterans, seniors, young adults, the employed and the unemployed, are living in a state of homelessness. An extremely disproportionate number identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). People are unable to find a place to live and when apartments do open up, they are often far beyond the price range of the average earner. Vermont has been underdeveloping housing for over 40 years. With the increase in demand during COVID-19 and the...
Siegel: Selfless, passionate, impactful
Brenda Siegel makes no secret of the fact that she struggles financially. So three years ago, when we attended the Women's Convention in Detroit, it was no shock when she laid out her budget for that weekend clearly to me. It was minimal but enough to squeak by, especially since her room and some of the meals were sponsored. Walking to the convention together one windy day, we passed by a man sleeping on the sidewalk. He was covered in...
Hashim, Mrowicki: Match a quick learner with a teacher with experience
What would it feel like to put on an undershirt, layered with a bulletproof vest, uniform, boots, and heavy utility belt, and then holster a radio and gun - in all types of weather? Then go de-escalate volatile situations? Now imagine doing so for nine hours a day, sometimes longer if you're in the middle of an active situation at the end of your shift. Would you manage that with a cool head and compassionate heart? Vermont State Trooper Nader...