By Roslyn Duffy, Fundraising and Development Portfolio Director, LWV of Washington
“You just need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.”
Those words from Marian Wright Edelman, an American activist for children's rights, founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund, and the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, remind us that even a tiny creature, a single individual, or the smallest action can have a huge impact.
Although no one particularly wants to be a flea, Edelman’s metaphor underscores the persistence she used her entire life to achieve great goals and reminds us of our relentlessness in making democracy work. (To learn more about Edelman, visit https://www.childrensdefense.org/staff/marian-wright-edelman/)
To discover what kind of League flea you are, take this fun quiz.
Please consider making a contribution to the League today to continue supporting our work together.
The following lists the ABCs of how to be a flea for the League, including the estimated time commitment.
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A
Attend an online protest
As long as you want
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B
Be a marcher and show up to support League positions
Half-day or whole day
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C
Click on links in the Legislative Newsletter to support League positions
Less than 2 minutes
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D
Dream big and act relentlessly
As much as you want
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E
Educate others about our election system
Every chance you get
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F
Fight to protect voting rights
All the time
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G
Give generously to support League work
Anytime
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H
Help “cure” votes by tracking down and verifying signatures
Day or more
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I
Invite others to participate in League work
Often
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J
Jump in no matter how small the action
Always
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K
Kindle hope in yourself and others
Frequently
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L
Live your values
Every day
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M
Mentor others and encourage everyone to act
Whenever possible
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N
Nurture civic engagement in your community
As often as you can
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O
Organize letter-writing campaigns
A few hours a year
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P
Protect the vote by being a volunteer election observer
One day or more
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Q
Quitting is not an option, because you matter and are needed
Always
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R
Run for office and make a difference
Indefinite
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S
Spread the truth by posting accurate information on social media
Whenever you can
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T
Testify at a council or legislative hearing
One-hour by Zoom or a half-day-plus in-person
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U
Understand League positions and articulate them to legislators
One-hour by Zoom or a half-day-plus in-person
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V
Vote and be sure that others can vote too
Every election
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W
Write to your elected representatives by email or regular mail
Up to an hour
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X
Xanadu is not our goal, as we need to be persistent
Always
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Y
You have something important to say so make your voice heard
As long as it takes
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Z
Zeal is your fuel so maintain a full tank
Recharge regularly and often
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