← Back

November 6th, 2024

A Message From Our Executive Director

Today, we know who will be the next president of the United States. I have no doubt that every single person who voted is holding big feelings. Some of these giant emotions will be tender, some hardy, and some will be jubilant.

At Rahab’s Sisters, we are holding space for all of it. As we have for 21 years, we are going to walk with each other through it. We are going to gather, and let the power of community and radical hospitality be the anchor to what feels difficult, complicated, and messy.

Last week, I asked a young person in my life who was voting for the first time in a presidential election if they had any anxiety about it. The response I got was not surprising given their age.

“Honestly, whoever wins, it won’t really have much effect on my daily life.”

That stung. In so many ways.

“I’m really disappointed with the choices, but my life will go on.”

Ooghf! It wasn’t exactly the kind of conversation stopper I was looking for so close to home.

Folks are managing in different ways. I am witnessing people retreat. Some are organizing. I see others carrying on with business as usual. Friends are gearing up for a fight.

Here is what I believe is true right now that was true yesterday; true a century ago and will be true 100 years from now. Our wellbeing both as a collective and as individual humans, does not rest on one person nor on one elected official. Our wellbeing rests on each of us and the community we build to tend and care for it.

True, life will go on. For a privileged few, it will be an easy path. For many, it will be a road with deep pitfalls, giant boulders, and landmines. Let’s not go at it alone.

Rahab’s Sisters is here with you. I hope to see you at one of our weekly drop-in community gatherings (Wednesdays, 2-4 pm or Fridays, 5-8pm) open to all who identify as a woman, trans, or nonbinary. Or, let’s set a time to meet and share hospitality together.

Regardless of who sits in the oval office, the mayor’s office, city or county council, we must remember that we are the ones who make our communities what they are. What’s truly important is working together to make our shared vision of a better world a reality.

In solidarity,

Desiree Eden Ocampo

Executive Director