The Power of One – One Can Make a Difference

My father was always active in local politics. He served several terms on the City Council of our small town, and many years later was elected County Surveyor. But my strongest memory of his political activity was the one election he lost.

He was running for a position on the County School Board. He campaigned hard, but his opponent campaigned equally hard, and when the counting was done, Dad has lost by three votes. Yes, three votes. And after he conceded the election, many of his friends told him, “If I had known it would be this close, I’d have voted.” Can one vote make a difference? You bet it can. Can one person make a difference? You bet she can!

By the way, 90 years ago today, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution affirmed the right of all American women to vote in all public elections. By Presidential Proclamation, today is Women’s Equality Day, celebrated annually in recognition of both the anniversary of women’s suffrage and of women’s continued efforts toward equal rights in the United States. As Soroptimists, this is still our cause, and yes, every one of us can make a difference.