Last week, Her Term hosted Rooted Here, our annual fundraiser, at Elliott Coward's home in Virginia-Highland. The evening brought together hosts, candidates, board members, volunteers, and guests ready to invest in Georgia's women.
The oppressive heat of the past few weeks finally relented, giving us a warm evening by the pool. Elliott opened her home and set out a spread of delicious food, while guests used souvenir “Elect Women” fans to stay cool. Candidates moved through the crowd in white sashes, meeting guests throughout the night. During the speaking program, Darcy Castro, Nikki Porcher, Timoria Saba, and Lisa Campbell gave moving testimony to the importance of Her Term’s support.
Dolly Parton passed away earlier that day, so the evening opened with a moment of silence and her music played through the night.
Elliott Coward (right) opened her home to Her Term’s candidates and supporters.
Heather Hallett, one of the evenings hosts, and Diana Spangler, candidate for State House Rep. Disctrict 16.
Lulu Thomason staying cool with an “Elect Women” fan.
"The tides are turning in our favor.” - Lisa Campbell
Han Pham opened the program by sharing what sets Her Term apart. We are not a training organization that simply hands candidates a set of instructions and expects them to run with it. We hold their hand and give them the knowledge they need when they need it, because the work of running for office cannot be outlined on a syllabus. Our support extends beyond the campaign to the whole person, and it does not end on election night. Whether they win or lose, former candidates stay in the sisterhood through the Former Candidates Council and offer the same support that they once received to the next class of candidates .
Darcy Castro gave that idea a face. She walked the room through her own timeline with Her Term — from their first meeting to a follow-up call where she realized that the only thing standing in her way was herself, not her circumstances. She credited that conversation with giving her the confidence to run. She also described a Her Term field trip to the Georgia Capitol, where she met several sitting legislators on what she called a day that changed her life.
Nikki Porcher spoke to the power of standing in a room full of women who have decided to run, lead, serve, and make room for the women coming behind them. Women, she said, do not need to be convinced they belong in public office. They need people willing to invest in them like they believe they can win.
Timoria Saba, talked about the day she met Her Term at an Equal Rights Amendment press conference. She was given a sash on that day, and she remarked on how meaningful it was to, once again, be wearing a sash with Her Term. In her remarks, she stressed the same theme the room kept coming back to all night: the importance of having a safe space to be a human being first, so that you can show up and lead where it counts.
Lisa Campbell closed the candidate remarks by reminding us that the tides are turning in our favor. She asked the room to be brave, to find our courage, and to keep pushing to flip these seats.
All candidates in attendance came up for a group photo on stage, while Arun Singh, one of our hosts for the evening, closed out the program.
Han Pham opened the evening by sharing Her Term’s mission.
Darcy Castro, candidate for State Senate in Cobb County.
Timoria McQueen Saba, State House Rep. District 68 Elect.
Nikki Porcher, candidate for Georgia Labor Comissioner.
Lisa Campbell, member of the State House Rep. District 35.
Guests listening to Darcy Castro.
Candidates in order from left to right: Rep. Lisa Campbell, Nikki Porcher, Timoria McQueen Saba, Diana Spangler, Darcy Catro, Rep. Betsy Holland, Sara Fuchs, Keisha Buchanan, Cathy Kott. And Han Pham and Arun Singh, one of our hosts for the night.
“My soul needed that experience.”
Ellen Sacchi, a Her Term board member, posted afterward about the often unseen work Her Term does to support candidates and elected leaders as whole people, not just names on a ballot.She credited Han with identifying, and working to fill, the gaps in candidate infrastructure.
Nikki Porcher put it simply in her own recap of the night: women don't need to be convinced they belong in office, they need people willing to invest in them like they believe they can win.
And from a first-time guest, after the event:
"I didn't realize how much my soul needed that experience and gathering. See you soon."
Amber Harris, Rebecca Wasserman, Sue Curtin, and Natalie Williams
Lorelai Ashley, Darcy Castro, Sheridan, Thomason, Lexie Newhouse, and Lisa Campbell
Pam Woodley, Ally Van Houten, and Sara Fuchs, candidate for State House District 49
Thank you.
To our hosts, who opened their homes and their networks. To our volunteers, who solved problems on the spot and had the space set up and broken down in record time. To our candidates, who spoke with honesty about what this work actually costs and what it gives back. And to Allison Fenton of Fenton's Faces, who generously donated her time and talent to photograph the evening. The photos are beautiful, and so is the fact that she gave them to us freely.
Rooted Here raised real support for real candidates, but the work continues well past one evening. If you weren't able to join us, you can still help carry it forward.