Capitol Hill
One of the most transformative experiences in this journey of mine, was going to Washington, D.C. last April (2024) with RAINN to lobby for bills coming down the pike supporting victims/survivors of sexual crimes. It was empowering beyond everything I had done up to that point since writing the book.
It was also scary as hell. I have bouts with anxiety and panic attacks.
I usually have my husband with me when I travel. I had used him like I would a security blanket. Ticketing, luggage, planes, trains and automobiles. He has always been my rock. I’ve been to California to visit with my brother and his family on my own, but there’s something about going to a new city, and maneuvering my way solo, that I feared. He knew that. That’s why he said he couldn’t get away from work, and I’d have to go it alone. He knew if he were to accompany me, the experience would have been less potent for me. He gave me that gift. The gift of empowerment, knowing that once I did it alone, the next time wouldn’t be as frightening.
When he dropped me off at the airport, a calmness came over me. “You’ve got this”, I heard myself say aloud. And I did. Effortlessly.
So, you would think that the fact I was about to meet with Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill would have been the thing that freaked me out the most. That wasn’t so. I had my one “ask” that I was fluent with and felt confident about addressing with our lawmakers. It was a whirlwind of a day, the Capitol itself is a winding maze of offices and elevators.
It was the proudest day of my life. What I said mattered, and it fell into the ears of the lawmakers themselves. It was that day that I recognized the mountainous strength I had within me. That experience taught me that my voice was important. I was heard.
So, funny story about the picture with Senator Cornyn. He was the keynote speaker at RAINN’s breakfast event. He took part in writing 4 of the bills we were lobbying for. As he finished up and his security walked him out of the room, I knew that was my moment. I quickly ran out from the back exit, ran down a long corridor, to where the Senator was just about to get into the elevator. I said loudly, “Senator Cornyn- I am a constituent! Do you mind if I get a picture with you?”
You can take the girl away from the hustle, but you can’t take the hustle out of the girl.
This year, I hope to accompany RAINN to D.C. once again, a little wiser, and a little smarter.
Oh- and one last thing; I’ll be meeting with Representative Troy Nehls in D.C. (or, more likely, Jake Bachand who handles crime policy for the Congressman). The topic? Sex Trafficking going on right here in Houston. Kind of a long way to travel to talk about local crime, right? But I made that happen myself.
Will I be anxious? Will fear wash over me, rendering me incapable of movement? I guess you could say I’m anxious over my anxiety. You must laugh at that one.
No, I think I’ll do just fine. Hear me roar. I love you, my survivors. Our voices matter. Our voices carry.