Published: July 05, 2008 09:51 pm            

Douglas excited about Democrats historic race for White House

Change is a word you hear a lot these days.

Political commentators scream about it, politicians lecture on it, and people like Kay Douglas crave it.

A former Huntsville ISD School Board member of 16 years, Douglas traces her political activity on both local and national levels to a very early age.

“My mother was active in Chicago, where I was born,” Douglas said. “She always voted; she worked on campaigns; and most importantly, she always held politicians to what they said, not just for me, but for the community as a whole. That’s something that always stuck with me.”

After a Chicago childhood, Douglas graduated from Columbia University with a degree in psychology.

She came to Huntsville intending to pursue a master’s degree, but after finding her interests drifting elsewhere, she got married, started a family, and got a law degree from the University of Houston.

In the midst of all her study and activity, Douglas doesn’t attribute her political aspirations to tradition or following in anyone’s footsteps. For her, working in politics grew out of a simple desire to get involved.

“I think you have to be a part of the system to be able to make changes,” Douglas said. “It feels like I’ve always been involved”

This year, Douglas’ involvement reaches further than ever before. While attending the Democratic State Convention in Austin last month, Douglas was elected as one of 228 delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, which will be held Aug. 25-28 in Denver, Colo.

“I just decided that this was historic, so I made it my goal to be elected.”

For many Democrats, their candidate, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, represents a new age of inspiration and idealism. Douglas shares this belief, but traces her source of inspiration back to another Democratic leader.

“I don’t know why I remember this,” she said, “but one of my first toys when I was little was a model of PT-109.”

PT-109, a Navy patrol boat during World War II, is a key symbol of the career of President John F. Kennedy. While serving in the Navy, the boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer in the Pacific.

The boat split in half and burst into flames. Kennedy, then a lieutenant in the Navy, played a key role in the rescue of his crew and cemented himself as an American hero.

“I have no idea where I got that toy, but it was a big deal to me,” Douglas said. “I was just a kid, but I remember Kennedy. He was a hero to us.”

Douglas believes that her party has found a new hero in Barack Obama. As the general election nears, one of the key criticisms of her candidate is his lack of experience as a leader. Douglas says its not about experience, but about the ability to lead.

“The best soccer coach my son ever had never played soccer,” Douglas said. “But she had the ability to get the best out of every kid. We won state three years in a row.”

As Douglas sees it, Obama possesses that same ability to bring out the best in Americans.

“It’s not his ability to rouse a crowd,” Douglas said. “It’s his ability to inspire people to work together. What he says, and I honestly believe this, is that it’s not enough just to elect somebody.”

Douglas, like Obama, proposes that the best route to change in the country is getting as many people as possible involved in the process. Rather than rely on leaders to do all the work, Douglas believes that the people should roll up their sleeves and be a part of the change.

“It’ so much like Kennedy,” Douglas said. “(Obama’s) words are making people want to do things to make this country better. He just brings incredible hope.”

When Douglas speaks about her candidate, it is almost like watching Obama himself. In an age when the country is polarized, when citizens often prefer to complain rather than act, she is full of hope for the future.

As the general election campaigns carry on throughout the summer, many people see nothing but arguments ahead. Two candidates, divided on almost every issue, sparring between podiums on the grand stage of American politics.

Douglas understands the image of perpetual conflict, but as she sees it, the best way to solve national issues is to compromise, something she believes both candidates are capable of.

“I think reasonable people can differ on what is best for the country,” Douglas said. “I served on the school board for 16 years with people who had totally divergent views on what is best for kids, but they all wanted the best for the kids, regardless of their views.”

Douglas sees the future of the country as one in which people of both parties will learn to work together.

“Nobody gets 100 percent of what they want,” Douglas said. “Nobody has all of the answers, but I think between all of us we can find the answers.”

As the national scheme presses onward to a new president in November, Douglas is still passionate about the work she does in Huntsville. For her, her idealism and love of serving the community are only encouraged by her community.

“I think people are very patriotic here. I only intended to stay here a year, and I’ve been here for 28,” Douglas said. “For a small town, we have an incredible wealth of talent. There is just this spirit of taking care of each other. Patriotism starts with a love of family and a love of community, and I think Huntsville inspires that.”

        

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