Ruth Adkins arrived at the Multnomah County Elections office this afternoon to file for her candidacy. Our campaign organizing group decided to make an event of this, as much for ourselves as for the press. As Ruth approached the Elections office she was greeted by several dozen people who came from all parts of the city to show their support.

Toddlers clutching blue balloons, proud family members, parents who had driven mini-vans full of kids, and veteran senior citizen activists assembled outside the elections office at SE Tenth and Morrison, all grinning and holding signs that read "Strong Schools for All Neighborhoods/Ruth Adkins/School Board."

Standing on the sidewalk with the enthusiastic crowd, I started to think about meeting Ruth in 2003 when each of our schools was up for closure. She explained to me how the school board worked, and gave me directions to the Portland Public Schools headquarters.

We talked back then about the need for city-wide networking and organizing. After countless board meetings and too many school closures, we have reached a new level.

There is a growing number of schools activists, spurred on by school closures, No Child Left Behind and now curriculum reform.

Ruth has bravely decided to step up and run for school board. Now we get to learn about filing deadlines (where is the elections office again?), how to track campaign funds, printing lawn signs, and just getting an honest appeal out to the citizens of Portland to vote for Ruth.

As I surveyed the crowd outside the elections office I saw busy parents who stayed up late designing signs, buying balloons, calling the press and arranging rides for this event.

I could not help but think "This is what democracy looks like." And as I watched Ruth hand in her paperwork to the election workers, I felt re-inspired to be a part of the movement to ensure that all kids get the quality public education they deserve.

--Anne Trudeau, SE Portland