By Billy Dennis

Sporting her iconic pink sneakers, single mom Wendy Davis made national headlines in an 11-hour filibuster aiming to prevent the dismantling of woman’s healthcare in Texas. Now, the state senator from Fort Worth is running for governor of Texas.
Davis’ story is one of hard work and perseverance, something all Eastfield students should admire and strive to emulate.
She has described her high school self as one of those students who was allowed to fall though the cracks. However, at 19, Davis, decided to return to school for a two-year paralegal program at Tarrant County College.
This time, school was very different for Davis. She did not fall though the cracks, but rose to the top. Excelling at her studies, she was soon offered a full scholarship and transferred to Texas Christian University.
Davis put herself through school by working two jobs. She was a receptionist by day and a waitress by night. If this hectic schedule was difficult, it did not show in her grades. She graduated first in her class at TCU and received a bachelors degree in English.
Eastfield is full of amazing hard-working students who can testify to just how challenging it can be to juggle school, work and family. Furthermore, it takes intellect and backbone to achieve the successes Davis has.
After graduating from TCU, Davis was accepted into the Harvard Law School where she was introduced to the concept of public service. Upon graduating with honors, she began practicing specialized litigation at the office of Haynes & Boone in Fort Worth.
But Davis wasn’t satisfied with just making money; she wanted to make a difference. Over the next 15 years, Davis did just that.
Davis’ strategy has been to take on positions that affect the lives of Texans.
She served for nine years on the Fort Worth City Council before being elected to the Texas Senate in 2008.
Davis has tried to preserve the infrastructure of women’s health services in Texas. Our state has the highest rate of uninsured people in the nation, and many women are forced to go to women’s health clinics for basic medical needs.
Most of these clinics will now be shut down. This is what Davis was fighting against during her filibuster.
These clinics provide many needed services for women, not just abortion. They were places where women could go to receive pap smears, mammograms and birth control. Now, because of the political right’s draconian law restricting women’s access to proper healthcare, many women will be at a greater risk.
I have a deep mistrust of Republicans on this issue and don’t believe they are interested in stopping abortions at all. They are, however, interested in getting their paws on the money that comes from shutting down those cost-effective clinics.
I’m not supporting Davis because she is a Democrat, or for any one particular policy or idea she supports. Instead, I’m supporting Davis because she is an honest, straight shooter. I believe in her vision for Texas.
If I have learned anything from her personal story, it’s that when Wendy Davis has a vision, she has the courage and wherewithal to see it through.