Watching the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, I was filled with immense pride as I saw my beliefs reflected in every speech and every face. The diverse voices, from Vice President Kamala Harris to Senator Cory Booker, echoed the values of justice, equality, and opportunity that make me proud to be both a Democrat and an American.

New York, N.Y. — The Democratic National Convention in Chicago, I found myself overwhelmed with pride, not just in my party but in my identity as an American. The convention’s theme—“For the People, For Our Future”—echoed through every speech, every face, every moment, encapsulating the diverse and inclusive vision of America that I hold dear. Seeing my beliefs and values so eloquently articulated by a mosaic of voices representing every corner of our republic filled me with an immense sense of pride.

Throughout the convention, the speakers reflected the strength and diversity of our nation, embodying the ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity that make our country exceptional. From the electrifying words of Vice President Kamala Harris to the impassioned advocacy of Senator Tammy Duckworth, every speech reaffirmed the values that bind us as Democrats—and as Americans.

“We are not just fighting for our party; we are fighting for the soul of our nation,” declared former First Lady Michelle Obama, capturing the spirit of the convention. Her words resonated deeply with me, as did those of Senator Bernie Sanders, who reminded us, “The future of our democracy depends on our ability to unite and fight for the working people of this country.”

As the convention progressed, I was struck by the powerful remarks of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who emphasized, “Our diversity is not our weakness; it is our greatest strength. Together, we will build a future where every American, regardless of race, gender, or creed, has the opportunity to thrive.” These words reflected my own beliefs and reinforced my pride in being part of a movement that is dedicated to creating a fair and just society.

The convention also highlighted the importance of leadership rooted in empathy and compassion. President Joe Biden‘s address was a testament to this, as he spoke of “the power of hope and unity to overcome even the most daunting challenges.” His message was clear: the Democratic Party is committed to leading with a moral compass, ensuring that no one is left behind.

As the final night concluded with the rousing words of Senator Cory Booker, who said, “In the face of hate, we must choose love. In the face of division, we must choose unity,” I felt an overwhelming sense of pride—not just in my party, but in the America we are striving to build together. This convention was a celebration of the values that make our nation great, and I am honored to be part of a movement that champions these ideals.

As I reflect on the convention, I am filled with hope and determination. The Democratic Party‘s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and opportunity for all is a reflection of the America I believe in. This convention has reminded me of why I am so proud to be a Democrat—and why I will continue to fight for the values that make our country a beacon of hope for the world.

#DNC2024, #ProudDemocrat, #ForThePeople, #JusticeAndEquality, #UnitedWeStand

Tags: Leadership, Politics, U.S., Democratic National Convention, Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cory Booker, Joe Biden

Roster of Who Impressed Me and Made me So Proud

Children & Grandchildren

• Granddaughter of President Joe Biden, Ashley Biden
• Grandson of President Jimmy Carter, Jason Carter
• Grandson of President John F. Kennedy, Jack Schlossberg

California

• Former Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta
• Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
• Rabbi Sharon Brous
• Rep. Maxine Waters
• Rep. Robert Garcia (Latina/Peruvian American)
• Rep. Ted Lieu
• Sen. Alex Padilla
• Sen. Laphonza Butler
• Vice President & Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris

Illinois

• Former first lady Michelle Obama
• Former President Barack Obama
• Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Progressive Jewish Billionaire)
• Mayor Brandon Johnson
• Rep. Lauren Underwood (African American)
• Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (Indian American)
• Sen. Dick Durbin
• Sen. Tammy Duckworth (Thai American U.S. Army helicopter pilot injured in Iraq War)

Michigan, Minnesota & Wisconsin

• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (Jewish, LGBTQ+)
• Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
• Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin (Fluent in Arabic and Swahili, she served with CIA & State Department; LGBTQ+ ally)
• Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar
• Minnesota Governor & Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz (raised Irish Catholic with social justice traditions)
• Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin (LGBTQ+)

New York & New Jersey

• Former President Bill Clinton
• Former Secretary of State & Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton
• Gov. Kathy Hochul (Irish Catholic)
• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (African American)
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Socialist Progressive, Puerto Rican heritage)
• Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey (Korean American)
• Rep. Grace Meng (Taiwanese American)
• Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York
• Rep. Tom Suozzi
• Sen. Cory Booker (African American)
• Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (ranking Jewish public official in the U.S.)

Texas

• Rep. Colin Allred (African American)
• Rep. Jasmine Crockett (African American)
• Rep. Veronica Escobar (first Latina representative from Texas)

The East

• Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy
• Delaware Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester
• Delaware Sen. Chris Coons
• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (African American)
• Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin (African American)
• Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark
• Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (WASP)
• Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (Jewish Brooklyn Socialist transplant to New England)

The Midwest

• Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval (Indian American)
• Former Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Marcia Fudge
• Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (Jewish)
• Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (Catholic)
• Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (1st out LGBTQ+ Cabinet member)

The South & Florida

• Former Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms (African American)
• Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Jewish)
• Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost (Generation Z Lebanese Argentine Haitian American Baptist)
• Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath (Gun control advocate following shooting death of son)
• Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock (African American)
• Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear
• North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper
• South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn (African American)

The West

• Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego (Progressive, former Marine)
• Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly
• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (LGBTQ+)
• Colorado Rep. Jason Crow
• Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse (Eritrean American)
• Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
• Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (1st Latina Senator)
• Federal Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Native American)

Entertainers, etc.

• The Chicks
• Amanda Gorman (National Youth Poet Laureate; African American)
• Ana Navarro (Nicaraguan American commentator)
• Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón (actress, producer and director)
• James Taylor (WASP singer, performance cancelled due to timing)
• John Legend (African American)
• Kenan Thompson (African American, Saturday Night Live comedian)
• Mindy Kaling (Indian American actress, comedian, screenwriter & producer)
• Oprah Winfrey (African American billionaire)
• Pink (known for supporting LGBTQ+ issues, animal rights, abortion access & women’s rights)
• Sheila E. (singer and drummer)
• Stevie Wonder (African American)
• D.L. Hughley (African American comedian)

Unions & Organizations

• Activist Olivia Julianna (“queer, plus-size, disabled Latina & 4th generation Texan of Mexican descent“)
• Activist Carlos Eduardo Espina (Latino)
• AFL-CIO President Elizabeth Shuler
• Communications Workers of America President Claude Cummings Jr.
• EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler
• Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson
• National Education Association President Becky Pringle
• Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson
• United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain
• United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten (Jewish; 1st openly LGBTQ+ individual elected head of U.S. labor union)
• Voto Latino President María Teresa Kumar (Colombian American)

How Incredibly Proud I am to be a Democrat – and American (Aug. 23, 2024)