SHUTESBURY — With much of the news focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against racial injustice and the actions of the Trump administration, former Select Board member Elaine Puleo’s says she’s having so much anxiety she’s having trouble sleeping.
Her running club, she realized, could be a way for her to overcome that anxiety and regain a sense of agency in the face of the daily stress of the news — and she set about to provide support for a Northampton nonprofit focused on getting out the vote for progressive policies and candidates.
“I had to do something to change the dynamic, and pounding the pavement to support our national democracy — especially voter rights — seemed like a good choice,” Puleo said.
Puleo is one of five women, including two other Shutesbury residents, BZ Reily and Barbara Bigelow, and two Amherst residents, Chris Warren and Lisa Gaughrin, who recently launched “Running for Democracy,” a project entailing virtual 5K road races across the country that will enhance voting rights and the work of the Movement Voter Project.
The nonprofit assists community groups, especially ones dedicated to youth and communities of color, to mobilize voters and strengthen progressive power at all levels of government.
Puleo and her jogging friends will be among several local groups doing 5K races later this month, with most of these runs taking place beginning Aug. 23 and coinciding with the Republican National Convention.
Puleo notes that similar virtual runs have been organized nationwide, from Seattle and Oakland out west, to St. Petersburg, Florida in the south and Florence and Deerfield locally.
“It’s all about supporting a good cause, whether by walking, jogging, running, even bird watching,” Reily said in a statement.
Launched in early 2016, the Movement Voter Project has raised over $50 million for more than 350 groups who try to turn out unlikely voters and organize communities of color to grow their power. To learn more, visit racewire.com/register.php?id=11758.