I first met Martha McCoy at the GEMDEMS office. This is a Democratic club that was formed in 2005 to fill a total vacuum of local Democratic representation. She moved to Mesa Arizona in 2004 to help her (now) 87 year old mother. GEMDEMS, or Greater Eastern Maricopa Democrats has the noble mission to recruit, support and help elect local Democrats. Located at 7141 E. Main St. In Mesa, Arizona, this organization has made a very significant dent on the stronghold of Republicans in our area. Martha was, and remains one of the most important pillars of it. Along with Beverly Fox-Miller and others they have made this organization a great success.
I selected Martha as my hero, because of her selfless dedication to promote Democratic principles and progressive politics. As for Martha, she considers her work therapeutic. She was not involved in politics, except somewhat during college. It was George W. Bush's ascent to power through the Supreme Court's decision that angered her and prompted her to get involved. Additionally, she saw that the country was headed in the wrong direction under Bush. She was one angry woman! Eventually she got involved in John Kerry's campaign and through that she met the founders and members of GEMDEMS. Actually she considers joining them a great decision. Here she had a venue to channel her anger into positive action.
Martha, through her creativity and pragmatism has worked wonders within our community. She quoted Tip O'Neill to me: "All politics is local". Accordingly, she believes that you effect more change in local elections than in the popular National elections. She includes the local Democratic candidates when she approaches prospective voters. Martha is a high achiever. The highlight of her work in the past year, she says, was the goal to double the number of precinct committee persons (PCs). And that goal was exceeded. (From 32 the number increased to 67. That number happens to include myself.) But this is not all. Once Barack Obama became the Democratic candidate for president, the GEMDEMS office became the source of information, yard signs, and stickers that promote him right along with our local candidates.
When asked what her family and friends think of her commitment, she says, her mom agrees with her 80% of the time. She says those closest to her agree with her. Some members of her extended family do have reservations about her activities, but it does not sound like she is bothered too much.
The low point for Martha was a period this year when her mother had a stroke and had to be tended to more intensely. Thank God, she recovered nicely and Martha has returned to her activities with ever more vigor.
My personal experience with Martha is that she took me out canvassing. She earned my admiration with her practicality and no-nonsense approach. Somehow she was able to talk and to gain entrance into people's homes where I expected a disappointing result. She did not brood over rejections, did not take them personal and just continued the grueling work with the same energy. I learned a lot from her. Another trait I admire in her is that she is well informed and willing to share her information any time.
She plans to be actively involved in the GOTV (Get Out The Vote) effort. Additionally, she plans to be a poll worker for the election. After the election she will be working as an auditor with the Maricopa County Election Board.
If Martha McCoy could be cloned, I'd love to see hundreds of them out there doing good work for our beloved country. You know what? She is a real patriot. Her work takes her into the trenches much like our soldiers fight on the front lines.