George Romney is one of the people who inspired me to activism, and I have been an activist for over 50 years. When I was 8, my family lived in Palo Alto, Calif. There were issues that concerned us at a neighborhood level, as well as the national level. My parents were involved in campaigns, and I loved helping them.
I remember hearing about George Romney’s work, especially concerning fair housing and civil rights. His name came up as one who stood up to the racist policies of the past and took — at the time, unpopular — steps to confront and overturn laws that impeded fair housing. I remember feeling pride that someone who shared my Mormon faith would choose to do something that might be unpopular with other lawmakers, even unpopular with some church leaders, because he saw it was morally right.
I saw that George Romney was one who had the courage to do that, even when it was risky to his political position and — ultimately — probably prevented him from having a more prominent political future. But he was willing to do what he saw was needed for a strong and moral society by addressing the needs of the marginalized.
This is what I look for in the candidates I support.
This is why I am voting for Jenny Wilson for U.S. Senate.
Jenny has been willing to meet with an array of groups, to listen intently and to ask questions about how to best solve problems.
Jenny has made it clear that her Senate race is not a stepping-stone to something better for her. She knows the importance of having someone in Congress who will not just be a gatekeeper for the “powers that be” in order to win or keep a position.
Jenny has been vocal about the issues facing our state that cannot be dismissed anymore: climate change, income inequality, affordable housing, livable wages and heartless immigration. I don’t see her opponent doing this.
Jenny reminds me of what I most admired about George Romney: someone who has the courage to stand up for what is needed at a critical time, even if a position is unpopular with the ruling powers.
Just as George Romney inspired me, I hope many will be inspired by Jenny Wilson to involve themselves in actively making a difference for our communities and our state. She has my vote.
Jody England Hansen, Salt Lake City, is an advocate, writer, artist and lifelong activist who works in suicide prevention training.