Thread by @RBraceySherman

Real talk? @CynthiaNixon is the real deal. I meet politicians all the time. And there’s something completely different about her.

I was on the panel about Black maternal health last night, and let me tell you, it was like an event I have never been to before.

#CynthiaForNY

https://twitter.com/NadyaStevens/status/1029870568709996545

@CynthiaNixon Last week, @JamilahLemieux emailed to see if would happen to be in NYC and could be on this panel. I said yes, because I happened to be in NYC, always want to talk BW health & because I’ll do whatever Jamilah asks — she believed in me early on in my writing career.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux When I got there yesterday, the room was PACKED. Standing room only. Folks sitting on the floor. And it was HOT. We were all sweating. But folks were chatting, snacking, getting friendly with their neighbors, and using all the #CynthiaForNY leaflets as church fans.

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux As all political events do, it was running a bit late, but everyone was so patient. We started as soon as @CynthiaNixon arrived. Many politicians look irritated when they arrive to packed, sweaty rooms. I’ve seen it. By she wasn’t. She was excited to start chatting.
#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux First, there was a 10 minute Q&A between @JamilahLemieux & @CynthiaNixon where Cynthia talked about her commitment to fixing Black women’s maternal mortality in NY, which is 14x higher than white women. Ridiculous.
#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux Then @CynthiaNixon talked about her own pregnancies, including one where she experienced complications. Her vulnerability blew me away. Do you know what it means to have a politician talk about having experienced the health problems that your community has?
#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux After the Q&A ended, our panel with Black women maternal health & reproductive justice experts began, which I was on.

Not gonna lie, I fully expected @CynthiaNixon to quietly step out of the event because that’s what politicians usually do since they have to run to other events.

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux Now remember, the room was PACKED. People were standing and sitting on the floor. And @CynthiaNixon went and sat on the floor, off to the side to listen to our panel. I was in shock. A politician sitting on a sweaty floor? Wow.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux Not only was she sitting on the floor, but she also helped a @JamilahLemieux's daughter wash her hands, and was listening so deeply and intently during the event. I do a lot of events. I can tell when people are learning. She was learning. Deeply.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux I could see @CynthiaNixon’s face shift as she was listening deeper to something she was learning for the first time. I’ve been in so many meetings where politicians just hear our stories, but you can tell they and their staff aren’t actually listening.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux When I nerded out to her about low Medicaid reimbursement rates, patients’ inability to go to providers because they don’t accept Medicaid & the impact it has on independent clinics, she leaned in to really learn & understand what I was saying.

Cc: @AbortionCare

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux The panel lasted a little over an hour, and @CynthiaNixon sat for the whole time. Never checked her phone. Never looked elsewhere. She was truly listening. This is what it means to listen to Black women, to truly hear us.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux At the beginning of the event, @JamilahLemieux said, “We want to show you what it would be like to have @CynthiaNixon as governor of New York. She’ll focus on issues impacting Black women’s lives, and listen to experts.”

Yes, @CynthiaNixon listens to Black women.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux After the event, @CynthiaNixon was so gracious and talked to attendees, in the heat, and answered their questions. She thanked us for coming to the event, and was so approachable.

Honestly, months ago, I worried she was a celebrity candidate. She is NOT. AT. ALL.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux As I was helping to clean up the event and chatting with folks, exchanging abortion stories, I realized that I didn’t take a photo with her. I looked up, and I saw her so gracefully walking down the NY city street to go home. Not whisked away into a waiting car.

#CynthiaForNY

@CynthiaNixon @JamilahLemieux All that to say, New York, if I could vote in your state again, I’d vote for @CynthiaNixon on THURSDAY, September 13th. She’s the real deal.

Go to her events. See for yourself.

If you have time go knock on some doors for her.

I’ll be donating to her campaign.

#CynthiaForNY

Good luck on September 13th, @CynthiaNixon!

I’m honored you had me on the panel. I can’t wait to work with you when you’re the next governor of New York. I wish we had more candidates & politicians like you.

You clearly have Black women’s backs. I’ve got yours.

#CynthiaForNY

If you want to watch the panel for yourself, witness her remarks and @CynthiaNixon sitting on the floor, and learn about Black women’s maternal health & reproductive justice — you can do so here: facebook.com/CynthiaforNY/v…

#CynthiaForNY