Yesterday, Texas Democrats found out that we had
lost Grace Ann Garcia in a car accident Monday afternoon. As the Executive Director of Annie's List, Grace had been leading efforts to recruit and to train female candidates in Texas. In fact, she was instrumental in recruiting one of her childhood friends, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, to run for Lieutenant Governor.
I heard Grace speak for the first (and now only) time last month at an Annie's List luncheon in Houston where she reported on the efforts of Annie's List. Attendance at that event was double the previous year, with over 800 attendees present to hear state Senators Wendy Davis and Van de Putte deliver inspiring speeches. Driving home that afternoon, I felt privileged to have attended such a special event and recharged to stand with so many strong Texas women and continue fighting to take back our state.
Burnt Orange Report has already compiled a list of statements regarding this tragic loss, so I'm not going to repeat that effort here. Harold Cook's eloquent tribute A love letter to Texas women in politics, for Grace Garcia is one that truly seems to capture her essence. Rest in peace, Grace Ann Garcia.
Additional articles:
Tanene Allison: "Amazing Grace" Garcia and Her Legacy Among Texas Women
Jonathan Tilove: Grace Garcia, head of Annie’s List, killed in Waxahachie crash
Washington Post: Texas political community mourns the death of Grace Garcia
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.