My Grandmother Calls Me Every Election Day. Here’s Why That Matters. | Forbes

[dropcap]Each[/dropcap] November, my now 93-year-old grandmother dresses up to cast her vote in-person at her local precinct. Perhaps more importantly, she also calls each of her kids and grandchildren to remind them to vote. The matriarch of my family has set an example, because she knows the responsibility of being a citizen and the importance of making her voice heard. [mc4wp_form id=”6042″]

Ferrisa’s 93-year-old grandmother dresses up to cast her vote in-person at her local precinct and calls each of her kids and grandchildren to remind them to vote on Election Day. COURTESY OF FERRISA CONNELL

Born in 1925, my grandmother has lived through a time when women were just beginning to exercise their right to vote and people of color still were subjected to literacy tests in order to vote. So today, she takes pride in casting her ballot because of those she knew who couldn’t do it themselves. And she encourages her family to do the same.

I’m carrying on her legacy by working with dozens of organizations throughout the state of Florida to make voting a shared, community act.