Listen to thisSomewhere along my journey in life, I remember hearing that democracy is never easy. There are election cycles where our preferred candidate wins, and others where they lose. The political pendulum swings back and forth, but the one constant is change.
As I talk with friends around the world, many express shock at the changes they see in the United States. To say that the current administration is polarizing is an understatement. Each day seems to bring new challenges, and new divisions. It is easy to become consumed by the policy battles and political polarization that dominate the headlines. Yet, at its core, what we are truly facing is a moment of reflection—a mirror held up to our nation—forcing us to ask who we want to be and how we will care for those who are most vulnerable.
I once heard a keynote speaker say that how a society cares for its elderly and its children tells you what it truly values. That statement has always stayed with me. Right now, we are defining our social safety net—where resources will be allocated, what policies will guide us, and how deeply we will embrace inclusion, equity, and diversity. These are not just political questions; they are questions about our values as a society.
This moment calls for courage. We cannot allow ourselves to become complacent. Advocacy is essential—it is our moral responsibility to speak truth to power, even when we know that victories will not always come easily. We cannot assume someone else will carry our voice; we must be the ones to do it. Our young people, families, and communities need us to stand united and speak boldly about what is right and just. When we do so together, our combined voices have the power to move mountains.
Equally important is celebrating resilience. Every day, we see children, families, and colleagues overcome extraordinary challenges. Their perseverance in the face of hardship is profoundly inspiring. We must shine a light on that strength—especially in dark times—because it reminds us why we chose this profession. We believed we could make a difference.
Hope is not a cliché—it is the foundation of our work. We believe in the capacity for change, in the power of relationships, and in the ability of people to shape their own futures.
I cannot control political outcomes, but I can control how I show up. I will never lose sight of why we do this work or of the many people who depend on us to keep fighting for them. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
The question for each of us is this: Where will we stand, and what will be our north star, during these challenging times?
