Shawnee is a former nurse and biology graduate. Appalled by the state of today's inner-city healthcare system, Shawnee decided to leave her career and commit to the Catholic Church. Shawnee is pro-life. Shawnee is voting for Barack Obama this November.
As much as she strongly stands for pro-life issues, Shawnee believes "in the path that is going to promote life at all stages of living." For that reason, Shawnee believes that everyone should have the right to healthcare: "life is priceless, we can't put a price tag on that."
“Part of the Catholic teaching is service! Obama pushes for access without exclusion, his programs are essential to bringing life into the world.”
Beyond matters of health, life consists of knowing one’s self-worth, and much of that arises in the course of everyday engagement.
"Through my faith I try to walk with people through whatever they're dealing with, and President Obama speaks in so many ways to Catholics in terms of justice, pushing for worker's rights and the dignity of work."
In Shawnee's hometown of Milwaukee, "there are too many unemployed who are employable but cannot work due to lack of transportation and hyper-segregation in many areas." Shawnee likes President Obama's grassroots beginnings, and believes he has a "sincerity in his means to get this country back to work."
"Too much is focused on the middle class without mention that many of the middle class have fallen into the "working poor," says Shawnee. But Obama offers hope: "There is always hope, and he needs four more years to move forward with the productivity he has already accomplished."
“Everyone should be able to flourish. Obama provides opportunity to those on the margins, and listens to those who need to be heard.”
Shawnee is a professor of theology and bioethics who challenges her students to be discerning and properly critical in terms of the decisions they make. "Things are not black and white. Barack Obama is a president who speaks to me as someone who wants to change the dialogue of what happens with war and the world. I'm happy about that."
The Catholic Church is non-partisan, so for Shawnee, it is important to start conversations, knock on doors and encourage voters to “make the choice that moves our country towards a future of good living for the many and not the few.” Get informed about the issues that affect you, get involved and start the conversation with your neighbors.