Unbought and Unbossed Again, Deirdre Gilbert is the epitome of Shirley Chisholm.
November is Shirley Chisholm's birthday month. Chisholm was a trailblazer and the first African American woman to run for president, the woman whose campaign slogan "Unbought and Unbossed," became an effective message of courage. Shirley stood up against the odds and kept going even when there were those who rejected her candidacy. Over fifty years later there is another woman, Deirdre Gilbert who has announced her candidacy for Governor of Texas. One who has become the epitome of Shirley Chisholm. Gilbert says, "I am not running for some kind of fame or fortune, but there is something in the air that says our people are coming into a new dawning and want a new politics."
It was in 1972 that Chisholm announced her candidacy that would be a campaign intertwined with an environment of unrest, where she was ostracized and marginalized, where she is rejected and neglected by not only the party in which she had embraced all of her life but from the very people that looked just like her. Now Deirdre Gilbert is being reminded of her black skin and reminded that she isn't capable of holding such a position as the Governor of Texas. Months before the filing and the primaries her campaign is observing a rollout of Fake Polls that are trying to destroy Gilbert's viability and suppressing her visibility. "It's not just her, '' she says, but every black woman that is running for office or re-election is having the same issue." While other ethnicities forge ahead and raise money for their campaigns, black female candidates are wondering why they are having such a hard time," said Gilbert.
Although women comprise half of the United States' population, women hold just 19 percent of seats (84) out of (435) in the United States House of Representatives and 21 of 100 seats in the Senate. For black women, the numbers are even smaller; just 20 currently have seats in the House of Representatives.
The race for Governor in Texas has just begun, but she knows the damaging effects these polls can have on a candidate's political plan. "Create fake polls, fake news, suppress visibility and what you get is a distorted image of a candidate that no one will take seriously. Gilbert understands that there would be an uphill battle, but this is why she is running because she knows that the people are looking for a change. She's embracing this moment and will stand strong in her quest to change the status quo. "Gilbert says she has been called to be the voice for black women running for office that have the same tenacity as she does." There have been many women before that have paved the way for this moment, that did not shy from speaking the truth, that did not shy away from standing strong. Gilbert is adamant that she was prepared for this moment. Maybe somehow she was cloned from the other women such as Shirley Chisholm and Stacey Abrams to run until she wins.
Gilbert works tirelessly in her community and says she's simply fed up with the shenanigans of the political atmosphere. She's worked on the denial of voting rights in local elections within Missouri City and MUD District issues. Deirdre works tirelessly to help prevent veteran homelessness. She has spoken before the Texas Legislature and U.S. Congress in Washington D.C on civil rights. Gilbert has helped to shape legislation regarding whistleblowers, medical malpractice, and education. Deirdre Gilbert is not afraid of a battle and is willing to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Deirdre has gained support from members of Congress, garnered attention and recognition among state lawmakers, and sparked open dialogue and inquiry into medical negligence. People truly like her. People seem to want her to continue her race. The establishment must think that she is a threat to the "golden boy" syndrome. If not, then why go through such great lengths to keep her off the grid. Get out of her way and let's see what she can do. To learn more, visit Gilbert online at https://gilbert4gov.com.
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