I am 100% AGAINST book bans and book censorship.

While this type of censorship has been attempted for centuries, we’ve seen it accelerate in the last few years , up 38% from 2021 to 2022 according to the American Library Association (ALA).

Book bans typically are done to suppress the true diversity and complexity of our society and history, even though research demonstrating how more culturally inclusive material can uplift ALL children.

This matters because U.S. school boards have broad discretion to control material disseminated schools. The Supreme Court last ruling on the issue in 1982 remains vague as to how the First Amendment should be considered. This means an intelligent school board grounded in facts and able to reference valid research from the ALA and other organizations is critical to our Chicago education system.

Books covering complex topics are opportunities for learning and critical thinking facilitated by strong educators that may also involve components that connect community if appropriate. But banning a book is not the answer - ever.

Access to public education is more than enrollment. It includes the ability to get to school, and that includes adequate transportation for any student who requires it.

If you can’t get to school on time, then the teachers and curriculum don’t matter. The quality of food at school doesn’t matter. The extra curricular activities don’t matter. We need to get our kids to school safely. And we need to support caregivers - who are usually working moms - so they don’t have another burden to carry.

This topic quickly becomes incredibly relevant for the Board of Education election because it connects to budgeting, contracts, and key initiative prioritization. We need to elect Board members who empathize deeply with the need to get their kids to school, the sacrifices and fear of safety, as well as professional expertise to read complex budgets and contracts and create priorities that address critical needs today. Finally, we need to elect Board members that can listen to the experts, ask the right questions, make good decisions, communicate clearly, and then work with state, federal and private organizations to build a bigger budget so we’re not in the same situation 5 years from now.

It’s because I work and have kids that I’ll win this election and be one of the most successful Board members.

1. I know deeply what at stake. Empathy matters. Lived experiences matter.

2. I know how to prioritize. If you don’t have constraints, you create situations that don’t work for the average CPS employee and caregiver, who works and has kids.

3. I am prepared to quit my job if I have to because nothing is more important than Chicago’s public education system and my service to the Board. But I shouldn’t have to; I want to create a Board that any working parent can join because working parents will be the best Board of Education members.

4. My husband is a bada$$ and super supportive. I have amazing friends and family. I have an amazing team and coworkers. My kids are in school from 8am-530pm. And I have babysitters if all else fails.

5. I’ll do it the same way working parents do it on the LSCs. Or Barack and Michelle did in the White House (or George and Laura Bush, or Bill and Hillary Clinton). Working parents get sh*t done. And we do it better. [insert mic drop]

While I’m upset it was another working mom involved with a nonprofit board who asked me this question, I appreciate it because it is what people think.

This is the motherhood penalty. And sexism in elected positions as well as corporate America. I’m happy I can address it right here head-on.

I’ve worked in really intense executive roles while sitting on active nonprofit boards with infants. That was hard. And I thrived and was very effective.

Don’t worry about if I’ll have the time. I have it. I can make more. And I’m the best person for the job.