Ayanna Pressley Will Get Her Dream Office Thanks To Fellow Rep.-elect Katie Hill

[Celerity]

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/12/219775/ayanna-pressley-shirley-chisholm-office-swap-katie-hill

Ayanna Pressley's longtime dream has been to occupy the office once held by her "shero" Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to ever be elected to Congress. Pressley, who defeated a 10-term incumbent in the primary and in November became Massachusetts' first Black congresswoman, has often spoken about how Chisholm paved the way for women like her to serve the country.

This is why at the office lottery for freshman lawmakers, a high-stakes event that took place at the end of the congressional orientation last month, Pressley tried to channel Chisholm's good vibes as she drew her number. But the Democrat from Massachusetts' 7th congressional district wasn't so lucky, drawing the slot no. 38 out of 85, which left her with poor chances of getting to pick her dream office.

Enter Katie Hill, an incoming representative from California who was also one of the many women who pulled major upsets against Republican incumbents in the midterm election. Hill, from CA-25, offered to swap offices with Pressley because she knew how much Chisholm's legacy meant to her.

The former Boston city councilwoman tweeted Monday: "Wow! TY Mommy for the extra bday luck! We just learned my Congressional Office designation will be #ShirleyChisholm's former office. How's that for divine intervention, AND the selflessness of my colleague @KatieHill4CA who drew a better lottery# but still wanted me to have it."
In a retweet, Hill responded: "No doubt you’re going to do amazing things from that office — I am so excited to serve with you!"

snip

Link to tweet

[riversedge]

1. What a beautiful thing to do.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. Love it!

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Oh wow.

That was a beautiful gesture!

From sea to shining sea!

[calimary]

16. Hands across America, 2018-style.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Yup!

[panader0]

4. Very cool. Rec.

[mcar]

5. Classy

[Sancho]

6. Shows why we need more women in government...and in the White House!

[flibbitygiblets]

9. So true. This is how women typically behave. Men, not so much.

Yes, I know there are exceptions that run both ways. I'm referring to what we normally see in homes, at work, in society.

Proportionate representation of women in congress will be culture-changing in positive ways, and this is a very good example.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

21. this is what happens when you let women meddle with gubmint

Silly creatures think yer s'posed to work together, get stuff done, and crazy commie ideas like that. What if others started acting like that?

Madness. Sheer madness.

[deurbano]

7. Yay, Katie Hill! My daughter helped GOTV for her from SF w/Red to Blue.

[kimmylavin]

11. And I got the opportunity to vote for her!

So happy to get rid of Steve Knight.
Even happier that it was voting for someone I think is going to be great! 😊

[Beaverhausen]

12. I was at a friend's house in Santa Clarita and saw two young women walk down the street...

...in late October. I assumed they might be walking for Katie Hill and I was right. My friends had already absentee voted but we had a nice chat with them anyway.

Love Katie Hill.

I'm stuck with Brad Sherman in the SFV. Ugh.

[calimary]

14. We started activating in LA Democratic groups to flip districts,

that one in particular, as of almost three years ago. Santa Monica Dems, Monkey Wrench Brigade, and more were organizing carpools of people heading up the 405 to the 25th district (now formerly republi-CON Steve Knight’s) to register voters, talk to people, lobby for change. Almost every weekend there was some kind of activity generated. Especially focused on the 25th district.

And all that work paid off! Similar efforts were focused on Orange County districts to the south. And they worked, too. The formerly rash-red OC is now all true-blue! But Lordy there was an avalanche of activism aimed specifically at District 25, republi-CON Steve Knight’s district. Not his district anymore, though!

[deurbano]

18. THANK you!

[winstars]

19. Thanks!!! Her ads were very good. Here in the Southbay 3 different GOTV teams came to my door!

Ted Lieu is my Congressman and its a fairly safe seat. So I was heartened that these young Dems came knocking on my door. I thanked them profusely for canvassing.

Steve Knight: hopefully today was his LAST VOTE!!!

[diane in sf]

22. Me too! I did a brief bit of volunteering in SF and she's who I ended up calling for.

[denbot]

8. Nice

Best wishes to our Dem freshman congress men and women.

[Kurt V.]

10. k&r

[George II]

13. What a great way for those two freshwomen to "bond" in the House. I think....

...we're going to see a great session of cooperation among all Democrats in the House next year. Can't wait!

[Gothmog]

15. This made me smile

Rep. Kattie Hill is a great member of the Democratic Party

[Stinky The Clown]

20. So typical of how women work and lead.

I am happy for Ayanna Pressley, but so VDERY proud of Katie Hill for doing what she did. Incredible collegiality.

[lilactime]

23. K&R!

[Wounded Bear]

24. Nice to see the solidarity and generosity...