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I'm a 54 year-old feminist, mother of four almost-grown sons. Raising them I often felt like I was pushing against the weight of the entire culture as I tried to teach them that compassion is strength and violence is really a form of weakness. Now that they are mostly on their own I am grateful to have more time to devote to those things I am passionate about. I work locally building community and network with others, near and far, to try and restore the ideals that this country was built upon. I work to raise awareness of the ways in which we are destroying our only planet and the changes we need to make to live sustainably. I am really quite cynical about our chances, as a species, but I don't despair. I see this world, the universe, and everything in it as the body of God made manifest--I see the face of the Divine in everyone I meet, in the sky, earth and waters, in the other drivers on the highway during my daily commute and the dead weeds on the side of the road. When you keep the long view in mind, it is easier to be hopeful.