Senate Swearing in Ceremony

By Valerie Constance

It's still early, that's why they aren't here, I thought sitting in my warm car in the parking lot of Busches where I was to meet Alicia Lesko and Amy Seetoo. We were riding together to watch Liz Brater sworn in as Senator of our eighteenth district. I was so excited, I was barely aware of the sinking feeling you get when you start second guessing yourself.

Are you sure this is the right location of Bushes? Are you sure you got the time right? What happens if you don't find them? You don't have either of their cell phone numbers.

So I got out of the car and walked around the parking lot just in case they were sitting in their cars looking for me. I was relieved when Amy pulled up in her van, and Alicia arrived shortly after, and we were off. The three of us chatted easily about Women Progressive Activists (WPA) issues and of course, politics, and the hour and a half drive passed quickly.

When we arrived in Lansing at the Capital Building, we found Liz had secured an office for us, her guests, where we could watch the Senate Swearing in ceremonies on closed circuit T.V.. My friends, Alicia, Amy and I arrived first and got the best viewing seats. Liz Brater, our hostess and our soon-to-be Senator came in to greet us all and graciously thanked us all for coming. There were perhaps 20 people in Liz's delegation. We were instructed that when we heard the announcement on the Senate floor for the Thirteenth District to come forward, that would be our cue to get up and go downstairs to the staging area right outside the Senate Chambers until our district was called. Liz looked elegantly businesslike in a navy pantsuit with a red blouse and a red rose corsage in her lapel. She entered first, followed by her family, and then by us, her friends and supporters. I walked behind Amy, who stood directly behind Liz. As we stood before the judge at the podium and cameras flashed, I thought, so this is what it feels like! I grabbed Amy's hand and squeezed it tight. She returned the grasp to let me know of her excitement too. Liz held up her right hand and spoke the oath of office, and we all accompanied her off the Senate floor and back to our room upstairs.

There was much excitement in the air. Some people guessed that the Ann Arbor group was the largest if not certainly the most diverse group accompanying senators. Liz returned to the Senate Chamber for the conclusion of the ceremonies and some business before returning for a tour of the capital with us. Liz provided us, her guests, with a buffet lunch served in her new office in the Farnham Building. She has a breathtaking view of the Capital from her desk. Photographs were taken, which are included here. Liz is such a down to earth person. She is friendly, loyal to her friends, approachable, and accessible. I hope that other people will read about our experience, especially young people, and they will become politically involved and volunteer to help women candidates get into office.