Why I take a stand

I used to think my ideas didn't matter. Always feeling like an outsider, I pretended not to care about larger social causes. But in third grade, I bravely announced to my catholic school classmates my stance on abortion. We were assigned to write a position paragraph on a controversial topic. My opinion was unpopular, which left me feeling further isolated than I already was. Throughout my early schooling, I had a tough time with bullying and never quite feeling like I was a part of the social groups.But what I did not realize at the time was that my outsider status would lay the foundation for the person I'm today. I'm not afraid to speak up and be the dissenting voice in a room. I already knew what it's like to be ostracized and retaliated against. And as my self esteem grew, I found ways to combat bullying and then be a force for positive change.When I became a public affairs officer with the Navy, I found my ideas would gain traction. It started small, a plan to go about a communications program in a different, more efficient way. Or speaking up if I thought a operational qualification was based on a "good ole boy" network instead of a standardized process. At about that same time, I became a Boxer dog owner and helped revive a club for people that also loved Boxers. By having that platform, I learned about issues affecting animal welfare, the environment and our health. And through that, my passion for animal advocacy was spawned.Now there are many that think as a officer in the Navy, I should not be public about a political issue. I respectfully disagree. I instead feel as an American citizen, it is my duty to politely and professionally exercise my First Amendment rights. I never speak out on a cause on duty, in uniform, or in an official capacity. And although it's not required, I do stay away from controversial military issues. I'd prefer to work those if I can quietly as an insider. That's my choice. My respect for military service and the great privilege I have serving gives me a personal compass on which I can carefully choose when and how to exercise my right to speak up.And getting political involved as a military member can be a force for greater good. For example, I belong to a Facebook women's officer group. Twice I have seen the group galvanized for a political issue that directly affected them. The first was when the military was considering taking away dual military housing allowances. The second was when the Navy wanted to take away our ability to wear the dress skirt uniform. People flooded their Congressional representatives with letters. Many started online petitions. And this happened because those serving our country were not afraid to speak out on a military policy they didn't agree with. That's democracy and what so many before us have fought for. It's that ability to use our voices to make a difference and change the course of history.I recently had a conversation with my friend Bryan Pease, a fellow animal activist and free speech lawyer. I asked him why it's so important that people speak up when they have an idea to make society more enlightened."If no one were able to speak up, nothing would ever change. In an open democratic society, you can have good and bad ideas. If enough people hear them, good ideas will carry the day. And it doesn't take a majority of people speaking out. Historically, if you can get five or ten percent on board with a good idea, it can take off on its own merits," he said. Bryan also points out that if someone is retaliated against, often that retaliation can draw attention to the merits of the cause and even demonstrate why the action is so imperative.I hope that this might inspire others to positively seek change in many arenas. This can be through a formal political process, or even within the organizations you currently are involved in. Be that the Little League, on the job, or within your own family always know that each one of us has the ability to shape society for the better. It's just a matter of finding your own unique cause and then using your voice to passionately advocate for the change you want to see.