America Voted

Congratulations America, my hope is that after the celebration dies down, we all become more of a part of how to make our Country better.  This election for me was personal about women, equality in marriage, and immigration rights.  This election proved we are no longer a white man's majority.  When diversity rules the day, then we are growing, only then will we create a better future.  I am deeply optimistic.

Now that the election is over, here in our area we are still dealing with the aftermath of Storm Sandy. My sister and so many others are still without power in New Jersey and outer lying areas. And a new storm is on it's way. So many have found their homes, neighborhoods devastated by Sandy and remember this was a category 1 hurricane, what would have happened if it was stronger?

Continued thoughts to those still unable to use easy mass transit.

NYC commuter transit info from MTA

I'm looking forward to a full subway gig week next week.  Here's my schedule 

VOTE a privilege Please use it

Today we VOTE, it is a privilege and a right.  I have a post about how the right to vote for women was painfully fought.  It was incredulously not that long ago, my grandmothers were alive to witness the momentous historic event.

So many are hurting from the Storm-Hurricane Crisis, still I do hope you will make every effort to get out and go to the polls.

Read about the amazing group of women who fought for women's right to vote.

and the words from contemporary influential women and their thoughts about this important election.

image by Elizabeth Davis

Vote despite hardship + Sandy Relief info

We continue to live in crisis mode, for some much more than others. Still, we have an important election this Tuesday.  I urge you to vote and to find ways to help your friends and neighbors get to the polls.  

I just read a fantastic article on Huffington Post by Marianne Schnall Influential Women Speak Out On The Election it's reposted it on my Guest Blogger section of my site.

For those in need of Storm Sandy Relief I have an older post with lots of info

Follow hyperlink for MTA transit info

and this from my friend Chris regarding lots of places to get help.  What I love is that born from the Occupy Wall Street Movement is a group of individuals now wonderfully skilled at moblizing people.  Their efforts "Occupy Sandy" are amazing.  This is power to the people, for the people and by the people. see for yourself in this clip:

read on:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/02/1154537/-AMAZING-Occupy-Wall-Street-Leading-Massive-Volunteer-Powered-Recovery-Efforts-in-New-York

Excerpts (originally posted Friday 11/2/12 to Writing by David Harris Gershon)

They are thousands-strong and growing: entering devastated neighborhoods yet to see outside help from established aid organizations.

They are staffing donation drop off sites, running mobile food kitchens and delivering hot meals. They are distributing food and supplies to the stranded, locating trapped seniors, and aiding clean-up efforts.

In short, they are helping some of New York's most vulnerable right now, and the work being done is simply breathtaking. And that work is growing by the hour.

Loosely organized under Occupy Sandy, Occupy activists have, in conjunction with 350.org and Recovers.org, created in very short order a massive, malleable volunteer network that is reaching untold numbers of New Yorkers still in the dark and cold.

The Red Cross and FEMA are operating shelters, food kitchens and distributing supplies as well. My point here is not to malign them.

My point? To shine a light on the incredible work Occupy activists are doing in locations where aid organizations have yet to lay roots. And to shine a light on the work they will continue to be doing, perhaps with your help.

Update

on 2012-11-05 02:47 by NYC Subway Girl

I received this email from a photo journalist Nousah Salimi, it really tells the story of the crisis through the eyes of someone there:

Good morning,

I went to Manhattan, on Thu and Fri walking around town, it was truly heartbreaking to see the city that never sleeps so empty and deserted, but looking at the bigger picture still very lucky compared to NJ, Long Island and even further out Haiti and surrounding areas which also have been affected but this time under the shadow of NY they are not really making it to breaking news.

Also I was impressed by how hard they are working to bring things back to normal asap, it's amazing.

I bumped to the mayor and governor on Tuesday giving a live announcement in the Battery Tunnel and took some photos of them too!

It was a bit twisted to get to Manhattan, as I could only go with the train either to Borough Hall and then walk and cross Brooklyn Bridge (which I did on Thu) or go to Atlantic Ave and then get the shuttle bus which rides on third ave all the way up to 57 st which I took on Frid and walked all the way down to brooklyn bridge and back home, so lots of walking :)

Anyhow it seems the green line is fully operational now although I believe it will make different stops so that's great already.

have a lovely day.

Nousha

Battery tunnel

Union Square charging station

this one really made me weep

Update

on 2012-11-26 23:26 by NYC Subway Girl

OCCUPY SANDY mobilizes, turning last years uprising against the financial world into action to help victims of Hurricane-Storm Sandy.  Article by ALAN FEUER in NYTimes