Who's Winning? Kevin Durant's 2014 NBA MVP Speech

Fresh off a close win yesterday evening, Kevin Durant is one step closer to possibly winning a National Basketball Association title. While many in the basketball world may not deem the Oklahoma City Thunder a title worthy team - just yet - I think they have what it takes to present Oklahoma City with its first ever national title. 

Since team Captain Kevin Durant was named the NBA's MVP - and consequently giving the most emotional and heart-warming speeches in the history of American sports - the Thunder have been nearly unstoppable. Not only are they giving 100% all 48 minutes of each and every game, they're playing together - as one - and it's showing. 

On May 6th, Durant became the 2014 NBA MVP. Among league and team leadership, staff, family, friends and his teammates, Durant shared his story of growing up in Maryland's infamous Prince George's County, the financial struggles of his mother Wanda Pratt and the circle of mentors and motivators who helped him reach the very stage he stood on that day. Durant spoke candidly about his faults and recognized all of his teammates and their individual and collective roles in his success as a player on and off the court. 

Durant has always been very open about his relationship with his Mom and the fact that she is his rock and the sole reason he kept pushing, fighting and was able to stay focused on his dream. In celebration of Mother's Day, the NBA created a thirty second commercial featuring Duran'ts mother Wanda and a few lines of Durant's speech. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. 

For anyone familiar with the world that is professional basketball, you know Kevin Durant, his skills and his ability to take a mediocre team and mold it into a dominant force within the league. Unlike other teams in the league who have built their dominance off trading a group of All-Stars to one team, OKC is made up of players who work diligently to make it work by any means necessary. 

Women's History Month Spotlight: Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm

In honor of Women's History Month, I wanted to write a piece about a woman who made history when - in 1968 - became the first African-American woman elected to the United State Congress.  Below is a biographical sketch of Congresswoman Chisholm, her work and her accomplishments. Enjoy!

Born Shirley Anita St. Hill, Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New York to immigrant parents. She is an alumna of Girls' High School, earned her BA from Brooklyn College in 1946 and earned her MA from the Teachers College at Columbia University in Elementary Education in 1952. 

In 1964, Chisholm ran for and was elected to the New York State Legislature. In 1968, she ran as the Democratic candidate for New York's 12th District congressional seat, and was elected to the House of Representatives. 

In the 1972 U.S. presidential election, she made a bid for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. She survived three assassination attempts during the campaign. She campaigned in 12 states and won the Louisiana, Mississippi and New Jersey primaries earning 152 delegates. 

Chishom's base of support was ethnically diverse and included the National Organization for Women. Chisholm said she ran for the office "in spite of hopeless odds...to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo."

Among volunteers who were inspired by her campaign was Barbara Lee, who continued to be politically active and was elected as a congresswoman 25 years later. 

From 1977 to 1981, during the 95th and 96th Congress, Chisholm was elected to a position in the House Democratic leadership, as Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus. 

Throughout her tenure in Congress, Chisholm worked to improve opportunities for inner-city residents. She was a vocal opponent of the draft and supported spending increases for education, health care and other social services and reductions in military spending. 

Chisholm's honors and awards include receiving an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Smith College in 1975, being inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993 and having a Forever Stamp issued in her name this year. To learn more about Shriley Chisholm, her story and her journey, purchase a copy of her book Unbought and Unbossed today. You can also view a trailer to the corresponding film below.

20 Women to Watch in 2014

Mid-term election year is here! Super excited to see what the year has in store for many of the candidates running for office all over the country. Jennifer Armstrong, co-founder of sexyfeminist.com, published an article today that I just adore: 20 Women to Watch in Politics in 2014. There were a few women on the list that I expected to see - a few women I've actually recently written about. However, there were a few individuals on the list that I wasn't too familiar with and am now interested in learning more about. 

Below is a list of the 20 Women included in the article, three of whom I'm looking forward to learning more about.  

1. Hillary Clinton 
2. Wendy Davis
3. Leticia Van de Putte
4. Mary Burke
5. Amanda Renteria
6. Allyson Schwartz
7. Susana Martinez
8. Elizabeth Warren
9. Nina Pillard
10. Alison Lundergan Grimes
11. Kirsten Gillibrand
12. Natalie Tennant
13. Shelley Moore Capito 
14. Terri Lynn Land
15. Heather Mizeur
16. Martha Coakley
17. Kamala Harris
18. Mia Love
19. Michelle Nunn
20. Gina Raimondo 

Leticia Van de Putte, Candidate for Lt. Governor of Texas. 
Although Wendy Davis' filibuster was an extremely hot topic in Texas, Van de Putte, you'll recall, is the one who showed up to the filibuster from her father's funeral and asked, "At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over her male colleagues? Van de Putte - alongside Davis - offer a strong chance that two women will lead a majority party's ticket for the first time in the state's history. And even though as Democrats, they still face an uphill battle in the conservative stronghold, their presence in the election guarantees all candidates will be paying more attention to female voters. 

Susana Martinez, Governor of New Mexico. 
A Republican, Martinez is the state's first female governor and the first Hispanic woman to run the state - and this year, she was named one of Time's most influential people in the world. She pushed for tough education reforms and budget cutbacks, including selling the state's luxury jet for $2.5 million. She's also earned one of the highest approval ratings in the country, never dropping below 60 percent, and she's been mentioned as a possible running mate for Chris Christie in 2016. 

Kamala Harris, California's Attorney General. 
When Harris was elected Attorney General in 2010, she became the first African-American and first Indian-American to hold the office in the state. In the position, she's cracked down on hate crimes and negotiated a huge deal with mortgage lenders to help end the foreclosure crisis, and she's running for reelection in 2014. She is becoming increasingly known as a front-runner to succeed California Governor Jerry Brown in 2018. 

Showdown in Hawaii: Can Hanabusa Bring Home the W in November?

Anyone who knows the story of how America acquired Hawaii knows that that there is still a division there between the natives and the newcomers persay. So it came as no surprise when the most well-known and powerful Hawaiian politician in history, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, passed away in December 2012 but not before asking Governor Neil Abercrombie to give his seat to Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa.

The late Senator Inouye with Congresswoman Hanabusa

What did come as a surprise was Abercrombie's decision to give the seat to then Lt. Governor Brian Schatz. Now, in 2014, the seat is open and guess who's running? Hanabusa and Schatz. The race is definitely going to be one to watch. It will be one of the most interesting races not just because of the story behind it but also because of the history of the islands and the dynamic of the changing party demographics. 

Senator Brian Schatz (left) Governor Neil Abercrombie (Right)

And although Schatz has out raised Hanabusa thus far (with a little help from the party), Hanabusa has the support of the infamous and extremely profitable Emily's List and is favored is in the state. This is definitely a race to watch. Visit here to learn more!  

Women, Politics & Money: How Female Candidates are Changing the Game

I recently read an interesting article on the growing power of women to fundraise - especially women in the United State Senate. As a fundraiser, I found this article to be very true and quite on point. I'm excited to see the number of women in the Senate reach 20 and hope to see it reach 25 with the close of the 2014 elections. 

Raising money is one of the most difficult tasks for political candidates and it's probably the most important. Candidates need money to hire staff, open an office and take on the day-to-day tasks needed to win an elections. Phone banking, door knocking, sign posting, polling - to name a few - are not free yet are more than necessary for any campaign hoping to win. 

Female Senators have come a long way since the early 1990s when asking people for money to run for office was taboo and a very difficult ask but one thing that is helping many women is their ability to gauge female support. Just this weekend, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren sent an e-mail on behalf of Texas state Senator Wendy Davis who is running for Governor in Texas. Although Warren isn't from Texas and Davis won't be joining her in the U.S. Senate even if she does win, she clearly sees the significance of helping a friend out. The following is an excerpt of Warren's e-mail to prospective donors. 

"Six months later, our champion Wendy is running for governor of Texas. She's not afraid of a tough fight, and neither are we."

Remembering Sandy Hook's Vicki Soto

As a former teacher, I can't seem to let go of the idea that Victoria Soto did what so many teachers in our country and world would have done. She protected her children because she loved them. She gave her life for the young people she spent nearly every day of the week with. She didn't think twice and she followed her heart. At 27, she made a decision most 27 year-olds can't imagine making.

It is my sincere belief that teachers are some of the most amazing, selfless contributors in our society. We can never thank them enough for the countless hours they give to our nation's youth and the invaluable sacrifices they make to ensure the next generation is prepared to carry the torch. 

This blog was created to cover women in politics throughout the world but I couldn't help but take the time to write about a woman that I believe is not only a leader but a shero in every regard. An entire year has passed since the Sandy Hook tragedy. Like most people, I remember where I was when the news broke. I remember talking to my twin sister and both of us in tears. It is my hope that we never forget the lives lost and the work we must do to ensure this type of tragedy ceases to exist. 

Black, Female and Republican: Four 2014 GOP Candidates to Know

According to a September article published by the Young Conservatives Blog, there are nearly 25 Black Republicans running for significant national, statewide and major city wide positions. In today's blog, I want to focus on four African-American women running for Republican congressional seats in the respective states. Representing states in the Midwest and South, these women are sure to catch the eyes of many over the next year.  

Some may remember Mia B. Love from her 2012 run or Erika Harold who was crowned Miss America in 2003 and went on to earn a law degree from Harvard University. Both are returning to the limelight as 2014 congressional candidates in what should be a very, very interesting year of politics. Although I am a registered Democrat and supporter of moderate to liberal candidates, I am a firm believer that everyone should do their research and support candidates that share their same beliefs and values. With that said, check out these four candidates below and let me know what you think. There's clearly so much to learn! 

Erika Harold 

Illinois' 13th District

Website: http://www.erikaharold.com/home

Fun Fact: Erika earned a law degree from Harvard University and is Miss America 2003. 

Diane Harris

Illinois' 3rd District

Website: http://www.harrisforcongress3.com/ 

Fun Fact: Diane was raised a Democrat. 

Mia B. Love 

Utah 4

Website: http://love4utah.com/

Fun Fact: Mia is the first Black female Mayor in Utah. 

Katrina Pearson

Texas' 32nd District

Website: http://www.katrinaforcongress.com/

Fun Fact: Katrina is a member of the Tea Party.