Paulsdale

It feels funny that before going to bed last night, I posted photos of an old house in my hometown and its influence on me as a high school photography student. In the post, I mention that it is just down the street from Paulsdale, the historic home of Alice Paul. I stopped there immediately after photographing the Hooton House.

Since I woke up this morning to learn Cory Booker had filibustered through the night, I felt a deep sense of Jersey Pride being the only Jersey person in a room full of New Yorkers. Later in the afternoon, while learning he was still going and now talking about Alice Paul, I felt so much joy. Growing up as a girl in the town where Alice Paul grew up instills something in you as a child. She was the first to protest the white house directly. She was imprisoned and mistreated. Cory Booker shared her story eloquently a few years ago in this video.

Alice Paul isn't even the only notable activist from my community.

Ethel Lawrence, affectionately known as the 'Rosa Parks' of affordable housing, was an effective civil rights activist and leader. Her ancestors arrived in Mount Laurel on the Underground Railroad. The Quakers established Mount Laurel as a sanctuary town, although by the time Ethel Lawrence was in our school system, it was segregated. Her mother urged her to practice civil disobedience by demanding to be seated in the "White Only" section of the movies along with other African-American teens. As an adult, her children faced violence in response to her civil rights work, but she persevered for the rights of her community. She took her case to the Supreme Court to fight for Fair Housing in the 1980's an outcome that continues to improve our community. They attended Jacobs Chapel, a historic stop on the Underground Railroad that I passed every single day. In elementary school, they took us there and told us about all the ways they protected people from violence. The importance of educating youth on our violent histories as well as the ways in which the helpers spoke up, can not be understated. It gives children the opportunity to see role models reducing harm.

In 2002, Girl Scouts of the USA celebrated their 90th anniversary. I was fresh into the game at that point but had most likely earned a badge or two. All of the Girl Scouts in our area (or at least a bunch of them) came together to celebrate, to plant trees, and to learn about how empowered Alice Paul was. Props to the volunteer, most likely the Service Unit Leader, who organized this.

Can you find me?

It's pretty easy to look at history and identify unjust laws; it's a lot harder to stand up and say something. I hope people have the confidence to speak in the places they can and figure out where those places are. I am happy Cory Booker gave us this opportunity to learn about Mount Laurel. Here is what he said today When you get the chance to visit Mount Laurel and The Alice Paul Institute, don't forget to stop by Jacobs Chapel and the Quaker Meeting House (best when the weather is nice and the windows are open). One time I was at the Meeting House and I met the woman who was responsible for ensuring Alice Paul's Home became a center to learn. That was a great gift that she gave to us all.

Every once in a while, when I am in the area, I stop by to see how she's aged. She's in better shape than the neighbor I shared in the last post, that is for sure. In this photo, I was just returning home from a Girl Scout expedition to the great land of Atlantic City (gross), and I thought I should capture how I had aged as well.

Just a giant piece of garbage slowly being absorbed by the Ocean

On Election Day in 2016, my mom and I stopped by her house on the way to the polls. It was the first Presidential Election I was voting in, and I voted for a woman. So, of course, I stopped to celebrate at the home of a woman who fought for my right to vote. The man who won that election is now looking to remove the word women from our vocabulary.

Again, I state that the importance of educating youth on our violent histories, as well as the ways in which the helpers moved can not be understated.