A Wildfire of Inspiration

You can be part of a chain reaction of change

It’s always too soon to go home. And it’s always too soon to calculate effect. ~Rebecca Solnit

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On a rainy, dreary day in the early 1960s, a group of women protested in front of the Kennedy White House.

They were there on behalf of Women Strike for Peace – an antinuclear organization that began when the founder got fed up and started a telephone tree to rally fellow mothers against nuclear testing.

Shocking as it may seem now, at that time, the U.S. was still conducting aboveground nuclear testing. Radioactive fallout was showing up in breast milk and baby teeth. Women Strike for Peace was advocating for the testing to end.

So that's what brought them there – standing in front of the White House, holding signs.

One of the women later admitted that, standing there in the rain, she felt “foolish, and futile.”

And really, can you blame her?

She was likely soaked, and freezing, and holding a soggy sign that was getting battered by the weather. There was no indication from the White House at the time that they were moved by the demonstration.

I’ll bet they left that day feeling like they hadn’t made much of a difference.

It wasn’t until years later that they’d learn otherwise.

Because as it turns out, inside the White House was a pediatrician who was there for a separate meeting. As he looked out the window, he was intrigued by this small group of women protesting nuclear testing in the pouring rain.

And he thought – If these people care so deeply about this issue, there must be something to it.

That pediatrician’s name was Dr. Benjamin Spock – whose name you may know because he became one of the leading activists against nuclear testing and proliferation. In fact, it was his work on the impacts of nuclear testing on children’s health that was instrumental in changing policy – leading to the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963 that ended above-ground testing.

And he may never have gotten involved in the issue in the first place, had that woman and her friends not stood out in the rain.

Friend, you will never know the number of people that you have touched in your life.

You’ll never know how many people have been inspired by images of the protests you attended – or of the protests that you organized. You’ll never know who wrote down those words that you spoke on a Zoom call, or in a meeting, or over tea. You’ll never know who read that article, or that blog post, or that comment you wrote; who saw the TikTok that made you cringe because you thought your hair looked funny – but that resonated for them, because your words struck home.

You’ll never know who saw that social media post that maybe didn’t go viral but was seen by *just* the right person at *just* the right time. You’ll never know what young person saw your protest sign, or your bumper sticker, or your lapel pin, or your yard sign … and for the very first time in their young life felt seen.

You’ll never know who changed their life’s path in small or large ways because you inspired them just by living your one passionate, glorious life.

Revolutions and rebellions are built by individual real people inspiring other individual real people.

You are a real, individual person. And you hold immense power.

This administration (and its enablers) understands that. They see the power people like you and I have to ignite passion in one another. And they know when that passion takes fire, it’s hard to control.

So they want you – they need you – to be depressed and sad and silent. They want you disconnected, doomscrolling, head down, eyes glazed. The quiet compliance that comes from confusion and distraction – that’s their goal.

And maybe it would be easier in the short term to check out and give into the chaos.

But every time I get pulled in that direction – every time I’m tempted to close my eyes and let the inertia of inaction lull me to sleep – I remember that small band of women protesting in the rain.

I remember how they felt insignificant, and foolish, and futile.

And how by simply standing in the rain, they lit a spark of inspiration that literally changed the world.

So friend, when in the coming days you wonder if what you’re doing matters, I hope you’ll think of those women. I hope you’ll remind yourself that we can all light a spark of inspiration in one another – individual links in a chain reaction of change.

And I hope you’ll think about the reverberations of your impact – and wonder if your words, your images, your actions could set into motion the events that unlock it all. Because they could. They can.

You may never know the scope of the difference that you make.

But you must know – and you must remember – that you do make a difference.

Let’s get to work.

Photo by Morgan Sessions on Unsplash

Actions for the Week of June 3, 2025

Friend, things may be heavy – but you can lighten that load by doing something small – a “small deed” – to bring about the world that you want to see. In doing so we tell the world, the universe, our leaders – and most importantly, ourselves – that we will not go quietly into that good night.

I call it Action Therapy.

That’s why in each Tuesday post I share a few “small things” – usually a Small Thing to Read, a Small Event to Attend, and a Small Call to Make or Action to Take. My intention here is to give you actions you can tuck into your week with ease – and know that you’re doing something today to make tomorrow better.

Join me in doing so. It matters.

Small Call To Make: The GOP Budget Preempts State-Based Regulation of AI

An under-appreciated/reported aspect of the murderous GOP budget is its impact on the regulation of AI. As you’d expect in a budget that’s chock-a-block with gimmes for billionaire donors, Trump’s AI pals have been given some big gifts – in the form of a prohibition on AI regulation … for 10 years.

In the world of AI, which has positively exploded over the last year, 10 years might as well be a century.

Shockingly, Missouri Senator Josh Hawley has come out against the prohibition in a May 13 interview with Business Insider. “I would think that, just as a matter of federalism, we’d want states to be able to try out different regimes that they think will work for their state,” Hawley said. “And I think in general, on AI, I do think we need some sensible oversight that will protect people’s liberties.” Read more here.

At least 45 states proposed AI legislation in 2024, with around 30 passing some form of legislation about AI.

This is a moment when Republicans are trying to usurp the states – and we need to call it out as such. So go get your phone!

Script: Hi, my name is [name] and I’m calling from [zip code/street]. I wanted to know the Senator’s position on the provision in the budget bill that prohibits state-based regulation of AI for 10 years. That’s a federal overreach that I’d expect the Senator to oppose. Can you tell me what her/his position is on that issue? [pause]. Thanks – I hope the Senator will vote against this bill, and do everything s/he can to remove this prohibition from what ultimately gets passed. Thanks.

Small Thing to Attend: Arena’s Power Rising Summer + No Kings Trainings

Arena is hosting Power Rising Summer –a series of virtual events designed to help you plug in, build power, and even find your next political dream job. Between now and the end of August, they will be offering dozens of panels, workshops, book clubs, and career support sessions. Join by signing up for the launch call on June 10! Link: https://www.mobilize.us/arena/event/793388/

I know you’ve already got No Kings protests on your calendar for June 14 (right?) but No Kings is also hosting trainings this week – on Media & Messaging (Wednesday) and Safety and Deescalation Techniques (Tuesday or Sunday). Next week they’ll be hosting a Marshals Training, and a training about Knowing Your Rights. Please share far and wide! https://www.nokings.org/trainings?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Small Thing to Read: Frustrated Democrats try new response to Trump barrage: Flood the zone right back

If you’ve been frustrated with what many have considered Democratic timidity, then this article is for you. The Hill reported this week that Democrats are using a new “more is more” playbook that’s long overdue. It’s all about frequent communication (including in red districts) and pushing everywhere. You know I’m a fan of that! Check it out here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/frustrated-democrats-try-response-trump-160000836.html

Thanks for reading, friend – I’m glad to see you here! You’re making a difference, I promise.

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