5 Things / The Power of We
A Note from Bernadette
A week ago, a friend offered me last-minute tickets to the Obama Presidential Center museum.
After hours of viewing exhibits, we made it to the top floor, the Sky Room, with panoramic views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. The theme of this room comes from Obama’s 2015 speech in Selma, Alabama. That speech talks about the power of “We.”
These words are so central to our democracy that they are spelled out across the building's exterior in 5-foot concrete letters. They read, in part:
"America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We The People.' 'We Shall Overcome.' 'Yes We Can.' That word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone. Oh, what a glorious task we are given, to continually try to improve this great nation of ours."
The power of we has stuck with me all week.
This Week's Good Vibes
Finally, Banking That Listens
Artichoke Credit Union is a first for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. The Ford, MacArthur, and Robert Wood Johnson foundations are funding it as a sub-brand of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. The name honors Ed Roberts, a pioneer of the independent living movement. People with disabilities often face high fees and have limited credit access.
♐️ Build with the people who will use it.
DoorDash Says It Screwed Up
DoorDash will pay $131.5 million to settle claims that it underpaid or late-paid New York City delivery workers, the largest worker settlement in city history. More than $115 million goes to over 260,000 workers, 10% of which will receive over $1,000. City officials say DoorDash's system left out categories of trips and on-call time under pay rules in place since 2023.
♐️ Automated systems miss things! Go looking for what yours leaves out.
Eighteen Means Eighteen. Finally.
California has banned child marriage. California had been one of only three states with no minimum age at all. Eighteen states and Washington, D.C. now ban it, while advocates say it remains legal in 32. Unchained at Last reports nearly 300,000 children were legally married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018, most of them girls wed to adult men.
♐️ Look for policies at your own company that work differently depending on where someone sits.
Wrigley Gets Friendlier
Wrigley Field is the first Major League Baseball ballpark designated a Certified Autism Center. To earn this certification, at least 80% of guest-facing staff completed autism and sensory training, and the certifying board evaluated the park in person. Fans can use a sensory room to decompress and pick up sensory bags with headphones and fidget tools. The park also has assistive listening technology, closed captioning, and accessible restrooms.
♐️ Tools matter, but trained people are what make them work.
Opera For All, Actually
New York City and the Metropolitan Opera are giving away 70,000 tickets this season to residents who have not bought a Met ticket since 2019. The Met has committed to continuing the program in future seasons. The city is spreading the word through libraries, public housing, CUNY, and older adult centers, which means it is going to the people instead of waiting for them.
♐️ Ask who has never been in your room, then go to where they already are.
Good Vibes to Go & Updates
Speaking of we, how about we vote together? Make it more fun by organizing a group voting party within your existing social or community network. Vote Early Day is October 24 and here's a toolkit to help you organize.