by Monica Whitby—Pennsylvania
While canvassing on the issue of health care in Dupont, Pennsylvania, I encountered a very inspiring retired woman. She was surprised and excited to see a young woman like myself taking action on this issue—especially having the courage to go door-to-door. She explained that without her union, she would have not have been able to retire for many more years. She repeatedly thanked us for our work. I’m also glad to know that though my work, I will continue to help many others like her enjoy retirement.
Tags: membership, retirees, unions
by E B—Colorado
This week I met a rather interesting man who began his career over fifty years ago in a unionized company manufacturing flooring. It was great to hear about unions from his perspective.
When he began working he would contribute twenty five cents a day to his pension which was matched by his employer. By the time he retired the amount was closer to fifty six cents an hour. Because this gentleman worked for a union he was able to support his family on a single paycheck, have access to excellent health insurance and know that he had a retirement plan that would support him in his old age. In short, because he was part of a union he was able to live the American dream.
He was excited about what we were doing and would have talked with me all day if I had been able to!
Tags: membership, pensions
by E B—Colorado
Today I met a fascinating man while canvassing in Thornton, Colorado. He is nearing his eightieth birthday and is still working part-time as a security guard to make ends meet. This hard working American had been fired just months before he was to receive retirement. When his wife of forty years unexpectedly died later that year he was hit with a large financial burden, as she did not have health insurance. She was followed in death by three of their five children. This man is still working to pay off the debt accrued for the burial of his family.
This powerfully positive man was very interested in what our organization is doing and was pleased to see that young people in this country still care about the issues. He told me, “There is a time to harvest and there is a time to sow. Right now we have to sow the seeds of change and a great harvest will come.”
Tags: membership
by Chelsey Evans—Minnesota
I went to this door and a young woman answered. Once I gave her the rap she signed up as a member. She told me that she does care about these issues, but she doesn’t have a lot of knowledge on the subject.
She then told me that she had someone that she wanted me to meet. She took me out to her car, and I approached a woman sitting in the passenger seat. I introduced myself and explained what our organization does. She told me that she would love to sign up as a member and that she would also like to get more involved. She began to explain to me that she is in medical bankruptcy because of her health care costs. She said that she has health insurance, but because she is on a plan of 90/10 coverage, the 10 percent she is responsible for has added up to nearly 300,000 dollars. She also explained that she has precancerous cells in her breasts, but because they aren’t cancerous yet, the insurance company is calling her request for a double mastectomy “cosmetic” and will not be covered.
When I walked away from that car, I knew there was nothing I could do to make her situation go away, but I did realize that I gave her some hope that organizations like Working America are fighting for her and millions more of Americans in her same position.
Tags: Health Care, membership
by Anthony Hammes—Minnesota
Every day when I go out canvassing, I run into people that are excited to see a young face out fighting for the issues that we focus on. I feel good when the older generations praise my work, because it makes me finish my work every night and come back the next day.
I realize that my future is important and I would like to make sure that my generation is able to support themselves.
Tags: membership
by Justin Geiger—Minnesota
I was out canvassing and spoke to a woman who signed up as a member. She told me she could not get an operation. She has a condition that is a precursor to cancer, but the insurance company would not operate unless it was cancer. The sheer notion that they would do this is outrageous. I was very appalled.
Tags: Health Care, membership
by Lee Erickson—Minnesota
I was canvassing in Winona, MN. I was having a pretty good night, until I went to this one door later in the evening. The gentlemen was really into politics and was very passionate about the issues. Before I could even ask for a dues payment, he had the five dollars in his hand. My pretty good night ended up being a great night.
Tags: membership
by Beruk Zeru—Minnesota
So I was out canvassing with my trainer, Chelsey and I had a spell where I had a few doors being slammed in my face. We approached this next door and a woman came to the door, I began giving her my rap.
She didn’t look that interested, but as I continued to explain the health care problem, she swung her door open and said, “Just a second.” She came back about 30 seconds later and said, ”Here, have some cookies. What you guys are doing is so important.”
She was very nice and supported all of our efforts. She made my day, because after that I had the confidence to talk with the rest of the neighborhood. I ended up having a great day because of her.
Tags: Health Care, membership
by David Delanoy—Pennsylvania
As soon as she opened the door, she didn’t look very happy to see me. When I told her who I was and my purpose in being there, she looked at me curiously and asked me if I was “for real.” I said, “I’m as real as the health care problem in America!” We both had a laugh.
She went on to tell me about how she is just getting over a stroke, and that her son was recovering from eight surgeries on his hip. She said that what we are doing is great and that I was the best knock she’d had all day. With a smile, she thanked me and said, “Continue fighting!”
Tags: Health Care, membership
by Jennifer Hofelich—Pennsylvania
I was sitting on the sidewalk finishing up my paperwork for the night. At the end of the street, I noticed a group of young people (11-12 years old) walking toward me. As they passed, one of the young girls said, “What are you doing?” I replied, “I’m working. What are you doing?” After we exchanged small talk, they began asking more questions about the nature of our work. I said, “We’re fighting so that people like you and your grandparents can afford to go to the doctor.”
One of the little girls saw the health care petition on my clipboard and asked me about it. I explained that it was a petition; then told her that two 8-year olds had signed my petition earlier and that they could sign it too. They ripped it from my hands, gathered in a circle on the sidewalk and began filling out the bandage stickers.
I told them that they could do this kind of work too. One of the young boys spoke up and said, “I would tie myself to a tree to fight for something.” So, I responded, “Well, what would you fight for?” He said, “I’d fight for the trees. I like trees.” I told him that there are environmental groups who do that kind of work everyday. I asked another young lady what she would fight for and she said, “I’d fight for the rainforest.”
They eventually got distracted and ran off. But my sincerest hope is that the seeds of activism have been planted and that one day, I’ll answer my door and see one of these kids advocating for a better America.
Tags: children, Health Care, membership, taking action
