“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
May was a month of focused momentum as we doubled down on voter mobilization and constitutional education. From Constitution discussions to League of Women Voters partnerships, our community proved that sustained pressure and organized action move the needle. We didn’t just show up; we showed up with purpose, pen in hand, and voice raised.
Here is a look at what we accomplished together this month.
The Numbers Speak
In May alone, our members took 370 actions.
- 253 Postcards sent
- 46 Social media posts shared
- 26 Protests attended
- 21 Petitions signed
- 18 Emails sent
- 16 Marshals trained
- 7 Political organizers involved
- 5 Meetings held (including board meetings)
- 2 Lawn signs created
- 2 Communications campaigns launched
- 2 Fundraising events hosted
- 1 Election inspection training completed
- 1 Community service project undertaken
- $172 Donations received by GRIT
A Month in Review
Monday, May 4 — Part II, Voice the Constitution
“Whether you volunteer to read a section or sip your wine and listen, you are welcome to attend.”
Julian Taylor, founder of TheGreatCollaboration.org, led the group in his Voice The Constitution program, Part II. As promised, we had a lively discussion about the history of the Constitution, its Amendments, and its relevance today. Whether you were reading aloud or listening, the engagement was palpable.
“If it’s anything like last week, we’ll have a discussion about the history of the Constitution, its Amendments, and its relevance today.”
Julian also writes frequently on SubStack. His essays provide deeper context for our ongoing conversations about civic responsibility and constitutional rights.
Monday, May 11 — League of Women Voters, Getting Out The Vote This November’s mid-term election will be one of the most important elections in our history. As such, GRIT is focusing much of our efforts on getting the vote out. Representatives from the Rochester Metro Chapter of The League of Women Voters joined us as special guests to discuss and share ways we can, as a group and individuals, help to get out the vote.
“This November’s mid-term election will be one of the most important elections in our history.”
A special thank you to Cynthia, who was our tabling lead last year and responsible for bringing the League of Women Voters to GRIT. Her work continues to build bridges between our organizations.
Monday, May 18 — Postcard Writing & Q&A with Heidi Woika Tonight’s meeting featured postcard writing and a Q&A with Deputy Mayor and Mayoral candidate for the Fairport Village, Heidi Woika. Even if you’re not a resident of the Village, the insights were invaluable.
“Even if you’re not a resident of the Village, you’ll gain insight into local races and what’s on the mind of locals. Maybe glean a few questions to take back to your town.”
Local politics matter. Every village, every town, every district has stakes in the larger political landscape.
Monday, June 15 — Congressman Joe Morelle RSVP Event Congressman Joe Morelle will be joining our GRIT meeting for a focused discussion! Please note: This is an RSVP ONLY event with limited capacity for GRIT members. If you know you want to come, sign up today. You can use the link or the QR code below.
This represents a significant opportunity for direct engagement with federal leadership on the issues that matter most to our community.
Monday, May 25 — Memorial Day We honored Memorial Day with no meeting, allowing time for reflection and remembrance of those who served.
The History of Mother’s Day
As we reflected on community and care during May, we also examined the historical roots of the holidays we observe.
“Mothers’ Day”—with the apostrophe not in the singular spot, but in the plural—actually started in the 1870s, when the sheer enormity of the death caused by the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War convinced writer and reformer Julia Ward Howe that women must take control of politics from the men who had permitted such carnage. Mothers’ Day was not designed to encourage people to be nice to their mothers. It was part of women’s effort to gain power to change society.” — Heather Cox Richardson
This reminder connects our work to a longer lineage of women organizing for political power and social change. From Julia Ward Howe to today’s activists, the thread of women’s political engagement runs through our nation’s history.
Join the Movement
If community and activism aren’t your thing, there are still lots of weekly events happening—too many to list here. Check out our website for the full calendar.
Have an event to add? Post it on our Facebook page or send it to grit@gritroc.com (this is a Proton account).
Together, we are building a future where the ballot truly is stronger than the bullet. See you at the next meeting.
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