This was supposed to be an historic week in Milwaukee, WI, USA, the week of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Hundreds of thousands of attendees—delegates, candidates, celebrities, media. And I had planned to be among the thousands of volunteers, taking up whatever tasks needed tending, sure to be immersed in days of communications, witnessing all forms of content, making untold connections.

Earlier this year, I eagerly entered my contact information and professional background into the DNC volunteer portal. I was a communications professional, surely my expertise and experience could land me a slot! Just two weeks ago I was notified that my volunteer services were not needed, thank you very much. The dashed hopes of volunteers, the politicians’ plans to put Wisconsin more positively and prominently on the map, the unforeseen economic impact to this city, these all pale in comparison to COVID’s continued human toll. The pandemic is still making mournful history.

Yet, this week, and next, leadership in our pandemic times will be the stuff of many of speech. Just think about the communications systems that will bring about these virtual events, the communications pros crafting each phrase, the coaches working with each speaking to attain every possible nuance. And, yes, the soundbites.

Unconventional Conventions

What about content? From video, to audio, to info graphics to expert analyses there will be stories and spin. These conventions will be quite the productions.  Surely there will be assertions of failed leadership as well as claims of great success—past, present and future. Foreign and trade policy will be referenced. Climate change and environmental impact will be discussed. COVID-connected issues will be connective tissues in the narratives: access to healthcare services, economic disparities, education policy, postal service funding.

And the right and privilege to register, to vote and to have that vote count will likely grab headlines. Because right now there are a few threats to that; systems and processes that may break under a projected load of absentee or early voting in some areas. For years the talk was how to secure systems and infrastructure against cyberattack, now it’s centered on the USPS.

Hope in Historic Times

Like you, I watch the numbers, almost every day. Not the political polls—the pandemic trackers and vaccine progress points. We seek out the positives. We want unity and healing. We want to latch on to hope in these historic times.

During the weekend I thought about the vision, unity, persistence and hope that must have inspired attendees at the women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y. in 1848, where they passed resolutions that women should be socially, legally, economically and representatively equal to men. What perseverance and courage it took for women to finally win the right to vote 100 years ago this month, with passage of the 19^th Amendment. A 1973 joint resolution of the U.S. Congress, introduced by Rep. Bella Abzug, set aside August 26 to be annually marked as National Women’s Equality Day.

I plan to watch this week’s convention, perhaps more consistently, with more intent than year’s past, for the communications and the content of course, knowing the connections will be virtual. History will be referenced and history will be made, as we honor our past, critique our current state, and project hope and commitment to our better future.

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