Four years ago, Kid Oakland (Paul Delahunty) decided that there had been a hole in the first Yearly Kos in 2006, the political blogosphere conference that became Netroots Nation in 2008. He felt there just hadn't been enough regional and ethnic diversity at YK2006. So he and his partners, Democracy for America activist Vicki Cosgrove and Howie Klein of Blue America, raised cash and in-kind contributions to ensure that 10 individuals could attend YK2007 in Chicago who wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford to go. The three of them eventually obtained enough contributions to send 17 people.
Paul, Howie and Vicki's efforts catalyzed Democracy for America to formalize the fund-raising process for 2008, providing scholarships that cover an all-access pass to the conference and hotel accommodations, plus a few select meals. For Netroots Nation 2011 in Minneapolis, coming up in a week and a half, 50 people from 28 states have received scholarships.
As in past years, scholarship winners became involved in politics for all kinds of reasons and are coming to Netroots Nation with different expectations. One said: "As a Queer, undocumented Latina, I am certain voices like mine are few and far between in these sort of spaces and that needs to change. I am an efficient and effective organizer and, while I have a lot of tools already, I know that there is a lot more I can learn so that I may be even more effective." Another said: "As a third generation Union Sheet Metal Worker I've always felt that it was my responsibility to be involved in the political process, on and offline. ...I've been involved in the political process one way or another since I was 5 years old. Be it through leafleting, door knocks, picket lines and boycotts. Just in the last year I've become heavily involved with e-activism and this has connected with my offline activities." And one more: "I was the subject of an online attack, following my involvement in promoting a protest. This made it clear that I couldn't sit back and watch when it came to social media. What followed was a personal commitment, to never neglect the capacity to take action online."
Many of the winners have their own blogs, or they post on blogs operated by others. Or they may spend their on-line time exclusively at social media. A few do most or all of their activism off-line. Some have extensive political experience; others next to none. As you can see, most are young, but there's a sprinkling of greybeards (literally) as well. As you can tell from their biographies here, their activism covers a wide range of issues, including immigration, LGBTQ rights, electoral politics, mental health, disability rights, environment, union organizing, financial reform and criminal justice reform.
Please offer your congratulations to them all. You can find out more about each of them by clicking on their names below. (No photo was available for Jessy Molina).