Individual Women of South Georgia (IWSGA) was born as a result of the traumatic November 2016 election and as a need to gather our focus for the January 21, 2017 Women’s March. Our shock, fear, and outrage has since demanded a space for the collaboration of like minds in a volatile environment. The original band of sisters has grown exponentially to over 110 since February. IWSGA’s mission is this:

We are a results-oriented collective of women united in our concern about the political climate and the direction of the current administration. We are committed to engage more fully at a local state and national level to transform our political process and to support women interested in running for office.

We are all busy with demanding lives. As caretakers, workers, wives, mothers, daughters, volunteers, friends, and so much more we all had a lot on our plates prior to Election Day, November 8, 2016. Since then, we have added activist, resister, uber-aware citizen, news junkie, Facebook addict—all relatively unwelcomed, unforseen, highly stressful components to the list of exorbitant demands resting on the shoulders of ‘American woman’. We now have new meetings to attend, new groups to form, new acquaintances to foster, new prayers to deliver all in the name of defeating misogyny,
bigotry, wasteful spending, irreversible environmental destruction, racism, etc.

Because of this fresh reality, we have developed a greater reverence for the path our mothers and grandmothers took to arrive at this place. In turn, we want to nurture and inspire the younger women in our wake. We are scrutinizing traditions and strengthening committments within our own circles, our community, our political parties, and our churches. We are as concerned aboutour children as any generation before us but now we are fearful about the alarming backslide of democracy and our rightful place in it.

Our awareness is heightened and we are on guard.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) grabbed attention when he said that he frequently gets asked how Republicans can be so stupid in the face of this dangerous administration. He explained that Republicans in Congress know the truth about Donald Trump and the collusion with Russia.

“They know what’s going on,” he continued, “but they refuse to speak up.”

“Look, to be honest, I don’t think they’re stupid. I think it’s kind of hard to get elected to Congress. I think what’s lacking in Congress is not intelligence. It’s courage.”

Courage.

IWSGA has the unique opportunity to become a local empowering force and a platform for a necessary era of female leaders. A grassroots component of a larger movement, we are neither alone in size nor determination yet we are surrounded by generations of exhausted traditions and offensive
ideology. As evident from our growth, there are many other folks in the area who feel exactly the same. Encouraging others to come out of the woodwork for democracy and equality requires the passion we already possess and the organization we are trying to solidify. Progress in all its forms is at our fingertips.

IWSGA’s direction cannot—should not—trickle down from the top in the form of traditional patriarchal systems. A women’s organization is an intelligent, organic network, not an appointed heirarchy; we excel where communication is wide open at an interpersonal level. Our success with sharing, empathy, shrewd decisionmaking, and big-picture planning is strong. When we find our niche within any supportive alliance, we thrive.

It is to that end that IWSGA meetings from this point forward are molded by the process/progress of our interest groups. At present, we have four:
Environment, Law & Immigration, Healthcare, and Education. The members of these groups by virtue of their immersion and activism are all leaders waiting to be heard. We will have the opportunity at monthly meetings to revisit or change within groups to further targeted planning and discussion.

We are looking for passionate leaders and engaged followers. We need writers, social media buffs, and office techs. We need operating capital. We need a diverse and streamlined communication system utilizing yesterday’s personal connection and today’s technology. By tapping our resources, we are well on our way to a dedicated infrastructure.

We are honored to be considered in this group of local heroines and new friends. We are seizing this time to create thoughtful, lasting change in our beautiful home of South Georgia and beyond.