by SGN Staff

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA 7th District) was joined at FareStart Restaurant on Tuesday, September 19 by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA 43rd District). The evening had a two-fold purpose consisting of a re-election kick-off campaign event for Jayapal and an invitation to Waters to join the Washington state community in honoring local heroes.

The inaugural 'Build Our America' event was attended by over 100 community members. Ticket prices for the gathering ran the gamut between $100 and $5,400. The description of the event on the ticket link boasted, 'Together, we'll honor incredible people and organizations that are trailblazers helping to Build Our America.'

They did indeed.

Distinguished honorees ranged from a local high school student making waves for her work in environmental initiatives (Jamie Margolin) and Chair of the Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA) Sarah Sense-Wilson to the award-winning publisher of Seattle's only lesbian-owned newspaper, The Seattle Lesbian (Sarah Toce).

During the event, Jayapal proposed: 'If you want a bold, strong, progressive who is unafraid to challenge racism, sexism and classism; if you want to support someone who can help lead not only the opposition but also lead our proposition for the kind of country we want to be - I'd love your support!'

Videos of both congresswomen played throughout the speech portion of the event and highlighted their fierce dedication to anti-Trump legislation. Waters, perhaps most known of late for her 'I'm reclaiming my time' sound bite, took the opportunity to tell women - and everyone else in the room - to reclaim their power. Waters and Jayapal both took to the floor the day Trump's election results were certified, prompting former VP Joe Biden to exclaim, 'It's over.'

Waters took time to quote Maya Angelou during her address.

'When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time,' she said. She was, of course, referencing Trump's track record regarding discrimination and classism.

Former Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (and former King County Executive) Ron Sims attended the event, as well as other elected officials and prospects, including Teresa Mosqueda, who is currently running for Seattle City Council Pos. 8.

At the end of the successful evening, Waters, Sims and over 100 guests joined in singing 'Happy Birthday' to Jayapal - while a cake with her campaign logo came out from the kitchen.

The stars of the show were undoubtedly Jayapal and Waters - and the four women they lifted up and honored as community builders. We look forward to seeing their progression in the years ahead.

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