I'm a Democrat Who Wrote About Two Republicans. This Is What Happened.
I didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't this.
Seven years ago, I began researching the lives of Ralph E. Church and Marguerite Stitt Church — a husband and wife who, while alive, each served as members of the U.S. House of Representatives. With my co-author, Jay Pridmore, I set out to learn about these two late members of congress who’d dedicated their adult lives to politics. We were two authors writing about two dead congressmen* , trying to figure out how to weave two life stories between the covers of one book.
I am a liberal Democrat. They were both conservative Republicans.
If they were alive today, I’d have voted for anyone BUT them.
Every. Single. Time.
Still, I went into the project with an open mind.
The couple had once lived just a mile from my home. Together, they’d served my congressional district for more than four decades. They, like me, had three children. Their marriage, like mine, had come to an unforeseen end. And, their lives were touched by struggle and tragedy. Though our views on many issues were different, I came to see we had a lot in common.
While I personally disagreed with many of the Churches’ political views, I finished writing the book with a deep sense of respect and admiration for both of my subjects.
They were hardworking people dedicated to lives of service.
They wanted to make the world a better place.
They cared deeply about building community.
I'm a Democrat who wrote about two Republicans, and I can’t wait for the world to learn about this remarkable couple. From the grave, they’ve reminded me that we can still admire and respect those whose views we don’t agree with.
If you’ve ever wondered how we begin to repair the divisiveness in this country, I humbly offer one suggestion:
Get to know the journeys of people whose lives are unlike your own. Learn about their backgrounds, their influences, their intentions, and their struggles.
When you take this time to learn, you can’t help but find common ground — and a shared sense of humanity.
—Christine Wolf
Click here for more info and to order Politics, Partnerships, & Power
*Marguerite Stitt Church (R-IL), one of the first 50 women elected to congress, was a feminist in action but not in name. She preferred to call herself a congressman, rather than a congresswoman. She served six terms, from 1951-1963. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after her husband, Ralph E. Church (R-IL) died in office of a heart attack in 1950. She was re-elected five more times, breaking national election records along the way. She retired from congress at the age of 70, and died at the age of 97 on May 26, 1990.
Common ground is key. I learned this a few years ago while volunteering for an Israeli organization with the mission to educate in order to eradicate anti semitism. I tabled with an Israeli and I would say 98% of our conversations were positive. There were a few who yelled epithets at us, unwilling to find common ground. Your book sounds fascinating.
I have learned much reading and writing about people with whom I have little in common. Kudos for your research and coming book.