experience

I am a 55-year-old woman, a graduate of Mount View Elementary School, Cascade Junior High School, and Evergreen Senior High School, and a third-generation White Centerian.

Saturday, I attended my first political caucus with my 88-year-old mother. It was held at Mount View Elementary School, where we both attended, and actually shared teachers. They were young women at the beginning of their careers when my mother was a student, and savvy, senior members of the education community when they taught me.

Neither of us knew quite what to expect. This was my mother's first caucus, too. As we drove toward the school, we saw people on foot, and cars jamming the parking lot. I quickly decided to drop my mother off, and then find parking.

As I was hurrying down the street after getting parked, I observed many, many senior citizens making their way into Mount View's entrance. Most were moving pretty slowly, many had walkers, and some people, young and old, came in wheelchairs.

There were also many people from all age groups, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. I can tell you, witnessing the commitment of these voters, and seeing our political process in action actually brought me to tears.

These were the Democratic caucuses, and there were 8-10 precincts assigned to Mount View. During the meeting, it was said that the 2004 caucus was a record turnout, and this caucus beat that record by at least four times that attendance.

Part of the process is for the precincts to divide into groups according to candidate. Our precinct had a turn out of about 45 people. Twelve of us supported Hillary Clinton, and the rest went for Obama.

Our group consisted of 10 women, one young man, and one senior gentleman. Several of the ladies appeared to be in my mother's age group, in their 80's.

Each group was allowed to try to persuade members of the other group to their side. Boy, you could tell, the senior ladies had made up their minds. They were not budging! Neither did anyone else.

My mother is 88-years old. She was born into a time when women were still not allowed to vote. The U.S. Senate passed the bill allowing it, late in 1920. It passed by only one vote.

I was elected a delegate that day. As I left arm and arm with my mother, I asked, "Do you want me to go get the car"? She answered, "No, lets walk," with what seemed like an increased sense of power in her voice.

As we continued, I savored that experience. I will always remember, going together with my mother, to the grade school we both attended, in a community she has lived in for over 80 years, and having her see her daughter getting elected a delegate, supporting a woman candidate for president!

Sheila Gavin

White Center