Laura Glass is a high school teacher from Madison, who joined her co-workers every day after teaching, marching around the Capitol. A single woman, she would sit beneath the “Miss Forward” bronze monument to the Suffragist Movement of Wisconsin, a statue that symbolized for her the gender-specific attack Walker’s proposed bill would have…how countless nurses, teachers, social workers, and secretary’s, mostly women, would be impacted.

Laura Glass in her own words:

The reasons I was at the capitol and remain politically active are many. First and foremost, was the attack on teachers and the institution of education. I felt in my heart that it was my duty to stand up for the values I hold dear, and they are education, fairness, honesty, integrity and respect.

In my life to date, I have lived through the feminist movement, title nine, the civil rights movement, and ten sitting presidents. I have watched others participate and put their lives on the line to affect change and to continue to make this the greatest country in the world.

I believe a country is only as great as its weakest and most vulnerable citizens. We still live in an age where women earn eighty cents on the dollar to our male counter parts, children continue to be exploited, and our young girls are often objectified. These voices have and continue to be marginalized. The gap between the rich and poor is the widest it has ever been in our nation’s history. The middle class is the backbone of this nation, and we are not being HEARD! Instead, we have become the scapegoat for the egregious acts of the financial and investment institutions. The Walker agenda, and others across this country, are extreme and aid corporations not its people. I am active, so I can give an ongoing voice to change the direction of Wisconsin. I believe we can and we will move Wisconsin forward in a progressive direction, which is why I will forever remain politically active.

The reason I am part of this film stems from my upbringing. My father used to say, ” Fight your own battles kids, no one else is going to fight them for you. Stand up for yourself and what you believe in”. He fought and nearly died for this country. Although his wounds were not visible, they were present each and every day.  My father worked in a union auto factory and raised six children on a single income. Members of my grandmother’s family were abolitionists, and they gave their lives fighting for slaves to be free. When my grandfather “Curly” began working in an auto factory there was no union. He worked 12-14 hour shifts, manually pulling each car from station to station.

I met Amy as I was sitting on the Capitol steps tying my shoes, getting ready for my daily round of laps around the Capitol. Those walks always included the familiar chants of, “This is what democracy looks like!  Recall Walker! Whose house? OUR HOUSE!” Amy approached me, and she asked if I was a teacher? I told her I was, and we began to talk. I asked her if she was a Tea Party supporter? She said she was not, and she explained that she was an independent filmmaker from California. She told me when she heard what was going on in Wisconsin she jumped on a plane. She wanted to witness the events first hand and document them on film. I was very impressed with Amy’s passion, and her desire to tell the stories of those who do not have a voice. After looking at her work I was convinced she would tell Wisconsin’s truth!! And, so our conversations began.

The passion I feel towards education, the great state of Wisconsin and knowing our progressive history is at stake, helped me to overcome my fears. Well, that and a tall stein of liquid Spotted Cow”.  I understand a little better all those people who have come before us and have fought to preserve our nation and the freedoms we now enjoy. I can honestly say I now know what it feels like to stand up and fight for something you care deeply about. It is a life changing experience. One I will never forget and continue to fight. Although we have made progress from my ancestor’s time, we can never be asleep at the wheel of our democracy. We must all participate regardless of our political leanings. Our freedoms are not free! Our voices are!!

Thanks Amie for giving Wisconsin a voice.

ON WISCONSIN!!