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Make Trouble
Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead--My Life Story | Cecile Richards
To Make Change, You Have to Make Trouble From Cecile Richardspresident of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for more than a decade, daughter of the late Governor Ann Richards, featured speaker at the Womens March on Washington, and a heroine of the resistance (Vogue)comes a story about learning to lead and make change, based on a lifetime of fighting for womens rights and social justice. Cecile Richards has been an activist since she was taken to the principals office in seventh grade for wearing an armband in protest of the Vietnam War. Richards had an extraordinary childhood in ultra-conservative Texas, where her civil rights attorney father and activist mother taught their kids to be troublemakers. In the Richards household, the dinner table was never for eatingit was for sorting precinct lists. From the time Richards was a girl, she had a front-row seat to observe the rise of women in American politics. She watched her mother, Ann, transform from a housewife to an electrifying force in the Democratic party who made a name for herself as the straight-talking, truth-telling governor of Texas. But Richards also witnessed the pitfalls of public life that are unique to women. Her experiences paint a powerful portrait of the misogyny, sexism, fake news, and even the threat of violence confronting those who challenge authority. As a young woman, Richards worked as a labor organizer alongside women earning minimum wage, and learned that those in power dont give it up without a fight. Now, after years of advocacy, resistance, and progressive leadership, she shares her story for the first timefrom the joy and heartbreak of activism to the challenges of raising kids, having a life, and making change, all at the same time. She shines a light on the people and lessons that have gotten her through good times and bad, and encourages readers to take risks, make mistakes, and make trouble along the way. Richards has dedicated her life to taking on injustice, and her memoir will inspire readers to hope and action.
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid!

Sorry for the late post everyone. My grandmother is in the hospital and I spent the day there. Finally home and have Wi-Fi again (also ran out of data while I was out 🤣 bad planning on my part).

Apparently I was not ready to Make Trouble today….see you in the comments.

(And yes, my grandma is ok, might need a pacemaker, I‘ll know more tomorrow after some tests)

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m still enjoying these chapters and sections, so much good advice about life in there. I really hope the version I have from the library has most updated Afterword, if not I may have to check other versions. 4d
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TheBookgeekFrau Glad your Grandma is Ok! 🙏🏼 everything continues in a positive direction 💕 4d
vlwelser I'm really loving this book. She has great advice. And her story itself is so interesting. All of the fighting for reproductive rights is amazing. She inspires a feeling of a need for civil engagement. Not just voting but real action. 4d
CatLass007 I‘m glad your grandmother is going to be okay. My Mom had a pacemaker and it was very helpful. This is an excellent memoir. It would never have been my choice to have an abortion. But choice is what men are trying to take away from women. I don‘t think anyone who has tried to control women the way politicians and the religious right are doing cares anything about the unborn. This is about control. Always has been. Always will be. People (cont)⬇️ 4d
CatLass007 like Cecile Richards are fighting for our freedom. Not just reproductive rights but freedom in every sense of the word. 4d
AllDebooks What an absolutely inspirational woman. I'm with her 💯 on the right to choose what happens to your own body and autonomy. Fantastic memoir, and I'm so glad I read it. 3d
AllDebooks Glad you're grandma is doing ok 3d
MallenNC I glad your grandma is ok! I am behind on this book but I am enjoying what I‘ve been able to read so far. I hope to catch up and finish it this week. 3d
35 likes10 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid!

You nominated a lot of unique and beautiful choices to add to our reading list. Now we have to narrow them down a little.

https://forms.gle/VKesPCU1z6dVwuvVA

Please check out all those nominated and let us know which you would be interested in reading with our group. Right now the fiction & nonfiction are mixed together, we can sort them later.

I‘ll post the survey again in the comments for easy clicking.

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CatLass007 Thanks for the tag! Was there a post requesting nominations? I somehow missed that. 1w
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CatLass007 it was awhile ago, I‘ll tag you there too. But I also added an “other”… write-in spot on the survey to add too. 1w
Bookwormjillk Wow, that‘s quite the list! I‘ll do some research and will vote soon. 1w
CatLass007 If it was before I joined the group in mid-January, that‘s fine. I didn‘t actually start reading until February, so there‘s no need to tag me on the nomination post. There already are plenty of books to sort through and vote on. 1w
CatLass007 Is there an end date to vote? Is there a limit on the number of books we can vote for? 1w
AllDebooks Blimey, that's an incredible list. Voted 😊 1w
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CatLass007 vote for as many as you want. And maybe the end of the month. We have a book for April picked already, but then we need to add some new ones 1w
CatLass007 Thank you! 1w
staci.reads Done! Added a lot of them to my tbr list too! 7d
MallenNC I put in my votes! Great list. Most of the ones I didn‘t pick were ones I‘ve read before, otherwise I‘d have voted for them too. 6d
Singout What @MallenNC said (or ones not available in my library). 6d
vlwelser Voted. Same as @MallenNC basically voted for everything I haven't already read. 6d
38 likes15 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid! How are you this weekend?
How‘s the book going?

I‘m a chapter behind, but hoping to catch up tonight, but still really enjoying this one. I hope you are too.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I‘m a bit in awe of how much really goes into organizing and campaigning. It‘s amazing how time & labor intensive it really is, and how much we don‘t respect it as a job and work. 2w
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CatLass007 The only thing I know about political campaigns I learned from watching West Wing. Her life and her mother‘s life are so amazing. I had forgotten that Ann Richards was divorced and alcoholic. And that‘s okay since she stayed sober. It‘s interesting that her husband didn‘t leave her until she got sober. I guess he felt an obligation until she could fend for herself and her family. 2w
vlwelser I got caught up! This one is great so far. What an amazing woman! And Ann Richards! I don't know where you found this but thank you for bringing this to the group. 2w
MallenNC This is a good one! I really enjoyed the chapter about campaigning in her mother‘s race for governor. It‘s easy to forget how hard that process can be on the candidate‘s family. Prior to this I only had a little knowledge about her mother or about how Cecile really started as an activist. 2w
Suet624 Oh shoot. I‘ve been so busy I didn‘t see you were reading this. This sounds great! 2w
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Suet624 It‘s ok, start anytime…the posts will still be here to check in as you get through sections 2w
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser You‘re welcome 😂 it‘s been on my book radar forever. She‘s very involved with Planned Parenthood and ever since it (and she) came up in the news back when she testified before Congress (way in the beginning of this book and a lifetime ago now) I‘ve been meaning to read this. And the reminders as Abortion, Women‘s Healthcare, and now in-vitro I kept thinking about it and moving it up my personal list. At this point it may need a ⤵️ 2w
Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ new, new, new afterword. 2w
31 likes1 stack add10 comments
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DebinHawaii
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When all your library holds come in at once! Today‘s #bookhaul includes the tagged book for #SheSaid & Emma of 83rd Street for #Pemberlittens #JaneAdjacent (not a fan of the audiobook narration so going for print) & I have catching up to do for both. Others for #SeriesLove2024 & the graphic novel is for a reading challenge prompt.

The book🐔🐔are worried that with the other 2 I have checked out & not read yet, I won‘t get to all of them.🤷🏻‍♀️

Crazeedi I have a stack like yours, and I hope I get through them before I have to return!! 2w
Suet624 Yikes. That‘s a lot. Good luck. 👍🏻 2w
TheSpineView Looks good! Enjoy 2w
monalyisha Love the book chickens! BO(o)K BO(o)K! 🐓🐓 2w
monalyisha I think it‘s okay to have a big stack of library books. I say that not impartially. 😅 It‘s not necessarily that you‘re going to get to them all…but a reader needs choices! 2w
64 likes5 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid!

I‘m enjoying this so far. I want to get back to Planned Parenthood, but this backstory of organizing on multiple levels is very interesting, and something we all probably need to pay attention to and get involved with again as we need to fight for rights we thought we had, all over again…at least in the US.

vlwelser I never started this yet. I left my book in MA and went to FL. I'll try to catch up. 3w
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser It‘s ok. I still have not finished the book before 😂. Take your time, catch up when you can….and don‘t stress about it. We will all get there when we get there. 3w
CatLass007 This was an excellent selection for #SheSaid! Cecile Richards has led an amazing life. Let‘s see what happens next! 3w
MallenNC I‘m a little behind bc my hold only came in on Friday but I‘m glad we‘re reading her story. I‘ve seen her on TV and I know of her mother but I‘m excited to learn more. 3w
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Up next for #SheSaid….and somehow it‘s falling at a very good time for reading it, bad time for women in the US.

So put in your library holds, interlibrary loans for this one starting next weekend.

vlwelser I requested this with my other March books and it's been staring at me, all ready to go. 4w
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DebinHawaii I put in the request for this & hoping it comes in soon! 4w
mhillis I‘ve got my copy! 4w
CatLass007 I‘ve got my copy! I wanted to clarify something. Is my understanding correct that you are the host for both #SheSaid and the #Nonfiction 2024 Bingo Board? What source did you use to determine what fiction prompts to use? Is there something resembling a master list of banned books that I can google? I feel like I would enjoy thumbing my nose at the right wing fanatics who try to tell others what they can and cannot read. (edited) 3w
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CatLass007 Yes, both are me. You can just google Banned Books and multiple websites will come up. Many libraries do their own Banned Books Week now, abd you can get details by state on banned & challenged books broken down by year usually & state. The American Library Association also collects a lot of data on the issue and has statistics on their site. 3w
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CatLass007 Here is even a TN specific list for you ⤴️ 3w
CatLass007 Thank you so much! I did some googling yesterday and found the American Library Association. But one specific to Tennessee is great! (edited) 3w
40 likes13 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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#AugustBookRoundup #AugustReads
My ratings (subject to change):

4.5 🔥
Make Trouble

4🔥
At Night All Blood Is Black
Sophie's World
Murder Of Roger Ackroyd
A Marvelous Light

3.5🔥
An Unquiet Mind
The Damage
Main Street
Practical Magic
Small Pleasures

3🔥
Libertie
Reckless Girls
Notes on Camp

2🔥
Age of Miracles
She's Come Undone

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Karen.reads
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Getting some steps in while being inspired by Cecile Richards

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DimeryRene
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Pickpick

This book was a serious call to action. Made me want to volunteer and make a difference. 👊🏿👊🏾👊🏽👊🏼👊🏻

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TheBookHippie
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Mail today as I‘m reading The Handmaids Tale graphic novel ....

laurieluna Currently following the work of Amanda Palmer. I love her a a musician but she's also currently being such a big voice for reproductive rights. She's on tour now in the US and not only has planned parenthood in the lobby of every gig to speak to people, but she's also giving free tickets to all those who support reproductive and abortion services as a lot of her show is about this. Scary times, but at least there are people standing up for it. 5y
61 likes1 comment
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StellarDoc
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Troublemakers

Carolyn11215 She‘s awesome isn‘t she? Saw her at Planned Parenthood breakfast in Santa Fe recently. Such an inspiration! 5y
16 likes1 comment
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StellarDoc
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Cecile Richards at Interabang Books in Dallas, TX 3.30.19.

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StellarDoc
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Learning how to make trouble tonight.

20 likes1 stack add
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TheBookHippie
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Pickpick

@Valeka SCREAMING WITH EXCITEMENT!!!!
A million thanks I'm so thrilled !!!!!!

AnneFindsJoy So nice, lovely goodies, and a great place! @Valeka hello , I‘m in Austin, TX too :) 5y
Tamra Great bag! 5y
GripLitGrl Love the tote❣ 5y
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Valeka @TheBookHippie I‘m so happy you got the goodies! Great big hugs to you!! 🤗💚 5y
Valeka Hi @AnneFindsJoy!! So great to find another Austinite!! ❤️ 5y
CarolynM ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Weaponxgirl Love that bag! 5y
Wife ❤️ bag! 5y
TheBookHippie @AnneFindsJoy All anyone has told me about Texas is to not go there because they hang feminist there 🤣 I hear Austin is okay though 🙌🏻 5y
AnneFindsJoy @TheBookHippie yes you are safe in Austin 😂 - It‘s a happening place with lots of great vibe!! ❤️ indie bookstore called Book People... they organize awesome author visits ❤️ (edited) 5y
Valeka @TheBookHippie Austin is a bright blue spot in a predominantly red state. But there are lots of us feminists in town! 👍🏼 Come visit!! 5y
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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

I don‘t gravitate toward nonfiction, and I am not a big fan of memoirs, but I read this for #NewYearWhoDis and I‘m calling it a pick instead of so-so. 😃

I love Cecile Richards and everything she stands for. I liked listening to her talk about her mom and her various political experiences, but the book is dry and maybe too long. Loved the chapters on Nancy Pelosi and Hillary, but the recounting of the 2016 election hurt.😢

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

VeganCleopatra I'm a huge NF reader, I know many people aren't though. I pretty much never rate NF above 4 stars though. 🤷‍♀️ And every time the 2016 election is rehashed is like a dagger to the heart. (edited) 5y
sprainedbrain @VeganCleopatra Dagger to the heart is an apt description! I read a lot of news and magazine articles... I guess that‘s enough nonfiction for me most of the time. 5y
116 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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DyAnne
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Thank you, Ms. Richards! 💗Planned Parenthood. #Resist #Persist

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Lilbroccoli
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Excited to get started on this!

Leftcoastzen Welcome to Litsy! 5y
Lel2403 Welcome to Litsy 📖 5y
7 likes2 comments
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SomedayAlmost
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To every introvert who took the risk of making calls & knocking on doors: Thank you! TX, Georgia & other red state Dems: stay strong! The fight for a better future for our kids & our elderly relatives is a marathon, not a sprint! #thankyou #keepfighting

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lynneamch
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#MakeYourVoteCount "Now more than ever, women are the most important political force in America. Marching, knitting, and protesting are great. But, voting. and changing who is elected to office, is essential. The women who come through the doors of Planned Parenthood health centers every day have a lot on their minds, above and beyond getting affordable, nonjudgmental health care. . . .

lynneamch . . . They want to earn a living wage, and work without facing harrassment or abuse. They want family leave and affordable child care. They want to live in communities free from gun violence. They deserve all this and more, and that's what I'll be fighting for. "
#words matter #Gratitude30
#FallintoReading @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
5y
Chrissyreadit 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 5y
alisiakae 💙💙💙💙 5y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
vkois88 Hell yes to all of this. It's so important to get out and VOTE... It may not seem like it, but it makes SUCH a difference 5y
lynneamch @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @4thhouseontheleft Thanks for being you, my dear littens. Some days it seems litsy is the only sensible thing that I read on my phone. 😏 5y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @lynneamch I feel the same way!!! Y‘all are my people ❤️😘❤️ 5y
vkois88 AGREED. It's nice to have a mostly like-minded place where I don't feel like I have to worry about every little thing. Where we can build each other up instead of insisting on tearing everyone down. 5y
Talewaggingreads ❤❤❤ What an inspirational way to start a gloomy day! Grateful for all! 5y
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bridge12
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Pickpick

I loved this book. It made me cry out of joy, fear, anger, and hope. I help escort patients into #PlannedParenthood clinics and hearing her appreciation of all the people that help to keep Planned Parenthood open warms my heart. This book makes me want to witness a filibuster like crazy! Much love to Cecile Richards! 💕

lynneamch I'm almost finished with this and am so impressed with her bravery. commitment, and fortitude. What an inspiration she is. And, thank you, too, for what you do. 5y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DyAnne
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Well-ReadNeck
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Bailedbailed

Unpopular opinion, but just nope. I can‘t remember the last time I DNF a book club selection. She‘s done lots of great things, but the telling is soooooo dry and flat. I lost interest completely on her chapter about parenthood which was full of cliches and platitudes.

Smrloomis Darn, really? I thought this would be good, but that sounds terrible. That‘s very disappointing! 6y
90 likes1 comment
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Well-ReadNeck
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#FridayReads

📚🏈🍁🍃

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Well-ReadNeck
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#TBRTuesday

Here‘s what‘s cooking this week. Labyrinth of the Spirits is gloriously thick!!!

britt_brooke I loved A Ladder to the Sky! 6y
CareBear I just saw Cecile Richards at a Women Rising panel; she was wonderful. Interested to see what you think of her book! 6y
96 likes2 comments
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Erin01
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Pickpick

fininshed this one while doing groceries. really enjoyed listening to this - I think my favorite memoirs are always the ones read by the author.

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almalania
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Don't sit around and wait for the perfect opportunity to come along—find something and make it an opportunity.

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Morr_Books
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Pickpick

This audiobook memoir was read by the author, Cecile Richards, who talks about growing up as the daughter of Ann Richards, a former governor of Texas, but also of her own life in the world of politics and activism. She supported unions, worked for Nancy Pelosi, campaigned for Hilary Clinton, and fought for women's health care, becoming the president of Planned Parenthood. Her work is inspiring.

53 likes1 stack add
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DyAnne
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1. I offer up many of my books on Facebook after I read them. It only costs about $5 to send a book through Media Mail, and I love to see which of my friends asks for a book. I know it is going to a good home.
2. Book Riot podcasts and articles convinced me to try new-to-me. I‘ll read any genre now if it sounds good.
3. Heavens, no! Bookshelves are for books, cool bookends, knickknacks, tchotchkes, treasures, etc.

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Tjackson
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Pickpick

39/52-💗💗💗💗💗/5! I absolutely love this book. I learned a lot and I cried a little. I am very grateful for all the people who have fought for and who are fighting for women‘s rights! I think everyone should read this book before the midterm elections. Do your part - VOTE!!!

41 likes2 stack adds
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Tjackson
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Spoken by Deja Foxx (grassroots activists) to Senator Flake from Arizona!!! Way to go, Deja!

wanderinglynn 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 6y
41 likes1 comment
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Tjackson
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True! True! True! I am so proud of women!!!!!

45 likes1 stack add
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Tjackson
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This book is full of stories that make me think and make me cry!!! No doubt, I giving this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟! Add it to your stack and run to the bookstore to get it!!! 💗💗💗💗💗

44 likes1 stack add
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Tjackson
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This is crazy and infuriating. Women should have the right to make their own health care decisions PERIOD! No debate needed!

BookwormAHN Yes 👏🏻 6y
Susannah YES 🙌👏👊💪 6y
LibrarianJen Yasssss! This is my biggest soapbox ever. In fact when people complain about something like how we have to much government or the government shouldn‘t pay, be involved in...whatever. I always throw out yeah like my body! Then they always backpedal and go well...and I‘m like NO! 🤬 #StandWithPP 6y
Mamashep So infuriating! 6y
55 likes4 comments
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Tjackson
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Been looking forward to reading this all day! I might have to stay up late to finish it!!!

50 likes1 stack add
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Tjackson
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Have I mentioned how much I 💗💗💗💗💗 this book????

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Tjackson
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Lessons from Ann Richards, Cecile‘s Mom and former Democratic governor of Texas. ❤️❤️❤️

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Tjackson
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I am doing my part to share this secret with everyone!!!! Letting the cat out of the bag!!!!

Booksnchill Truth!!! Great cause and facts to share! 6y
LibrarianJen It‘s the only place I could afford to get gynecological exams in college when I didn‘t have health insurance. 💖 6y
Tjackson @LibrarianJen So many women I know have similar stories!!! It is an awesome organization and Cecile Richards is a phenomenal person!!! 6y
57 likes3 comments
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Tjackson
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This book is so informative!!!! It is living up to my expectations!!!

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Tjackson
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Great advice!!!!

57 likes1 stack add
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Tjackson
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So true!!!!!!

Insightsintobooks This book sounds great. 6y
Tjackson @Insightsintobooks it really is great!!!! 6y
44 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Tjackson
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Great advice! Words to live by!!!!

Updrifting Yes. 6y
45 likes1 comment
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Tjackson
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A great quote!!!

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Tjackson
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Cecile Richards does not sugarcoat her words! She is a straight shooter! That is why I ❤️ reading this book!!!

BarbaraTheBibliophage Just picked it up on Kindle Daily Deal! 👏🏻👏🏻 6y
45 likes1 comment
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Tjackson
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Simple, yet true!

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Tjackson
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Great quote!

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Tjackson
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Reading by the pool!!! Life is good.... and so is this book!!!!

Mollyanna Looks fabulous! Enjoy! 6y
Reviewsbylola My favorite spot to read! 6y
51 likes2 comments
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Tjackson
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I absolutely agree with Cecile Richards.

knittedgnome Amen! 6y
59 likes1 comment
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Tjackson
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Yes, this is the 5th book I am reading at once, but I am sooooo super excited to be reading it. I might stay up all night to finish it. The others can wait for me to finish this one. 😀😀😀😀😀! I ❤️❤️❤️ reading about strong, courageous women!!!!

Joanielovesbooks 👍🏻 6y
59 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Tjackson
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Used my amazon gift card from my birthday to purchase these gems!!! Can‘t wait to read them all!!!!

Christine Excellent choices!! 6y
Tjackson @Christine Thanks!! I can‘t wait to read them, but I have 2 books I am determined to finish first. 6y
48 likes2 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Made sense to start this one today! Freedom is worth fighting for! #resist

58 likes1 stack add