
 

|
Abigail L.,
Editor |
Don't you
DARE give up. You did amazingly well considering how the
decks were stacked against you. Next time, you will win.
|
| Nancy K. |
I've been following
your campaign for months, and I'm sad that you didn't win this time.
But don't give up! You have a very bright future ahead, and we need
people like you to represent us. |
| Carol T. |
I'm sorry to
hear that the election winds did not blow your direction this year.
It is heartening to see how many votes you did receive in a primarily
Republican area.
Thank you for running. Aside from the hope you've instilled in
women all over the world, I imagine you've helped grease the
wheels of change. Thank you, again. |
Steven P.
Republican
|
My
name is Steve …. I am a registered Republican and readily
admit
that I disagree with your positions on several important issues.
However,
when I heard of your candidacy for the California State Assembly
this
morning during my drive to work, it reminded me just how privileged
we
Americans are to live in a country where a woman born in Saudi Arabia
can become a citizen and run for elected office. I have only one
regret, since
I live in Arizona I will not have the pleasure of casting my vote
for you.
I wish you the best of luck in your campaign and I sincerely hope
that you
win a seat in the State Assembly. What you are working for stands
as a
shining example to all the people of the world of what America
is truly all
about - especially during these troubled times.
May God bless you, your son Omar, and your entire family. I will
keep all of you in my prayers. America is a better place for you
and your family's contribution to our
Country.
|
| Unknown |
Dear Mrs. Masry,
I heard your interview on NPR this morning and it gave me great
hope for women around the globe. I am a 22 year old woman from
New Jersey,
a recent College graduate, and have no rhyme or reason to write
to you but I just wanted you to know how important I think it
is that you are running of office. I am the daughter of immigrant
parents from Pakistan. I am in the process of getting my Masters
Degree in Global Sociology and hope to work for an international
organization promoting human rights; especially with regard to
women as well as international development so countries overseas
can become self-sustaining. Your story and your devotion came
as
a great resource for me, I will use you as an example to empower
other women from similar backgrounds to yours. I wish you all
the luck in the world next Tuesday!
Thank you.
|
| Karen S. |
Hi,
After my morning walk I heard NPR's interview with Ferial Masry.
I was
very inspired when I heard her story. My eyes are constantly being
opened to the plight of women's rights around the world. I am inspired
by Ferial's story and her values.
Congratulations on your campaign
and the support that has come your way.
I am a resident of Maine but I cheer you on in California! |
| Unknown |
Omar,
I realize I don't know you but I wanted to write and hope you
don't find this an intrusion. Your mother's State Assembly Campaign
was featured on NRR (on NCRW) this morning. I was truly moved and
inspired by her story. She seems to be a remarkable woman with
an equally remarkable family. I understand the local paper is endorsing
her candidacy, something they haven't done for a democrat in years.
I hope that this enables
her to win the election. We need a voice like hers in government
at any level.
The report also led me to you where I found your blog. It was
one of the most interesting things I have read regarding our military
presence there. It appears from the many things that I have read
that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Your family must
be so proud to have to among them two individuals who put their
words into action.
I am so conflicted over this military action. I believe that
war is wrong, but I also feel that force is sometimes necessary.
I just wish the administration had pursued this action more legitimately.
Mostly I feel for the Iraqi people. We hear the reports everyday
of our men and women and other foreigners who have found themselves
in harms way.
Then there will be some tiny blurb about the number of Iraqi casualties.
No one seems to be counting them. The numbers must be astronomical.
My heart breaks for these people.
Though I am very uneasy about the war, I realize that you and
the other brave soldiers there who are doing good work deserve
our support. I pray that this mess is over soon, that you will
be able to do the job you went to do, and that all of you will
return safely. And when you do, let me be one of the first to buy
you a beer.
My best wishes to you, your family and your fellow soldiers.
|
| Jay L. |
Dear Mrs. Masry,
I have heard about your campaign (both today on NPR and among
local Dems in Malibu) and wish to make a contribution today of
$100. Where and how can I send it?
Bravo, bravo to you! You represent the very best of America.
|
| Michelle G. |
Dear Ferial, I'm so sorry I didn't call - I was on an assignment, and the
folks in Oakland needed a longer notice to get their act together
to meet you. Maybe if you come back to the area we can arrange
it. Please keep me posted about your campaign. If someone will
be interested in a story about you I'll let you know. Would you
like me to send you a copy of the story I did about you for Israel
public radio - for your web site?
|
| Omar H. |
Dear
Ms. Ferial Masry
Greetings. I heard your interview with Amy Goodman on ‘Democracy
Now’ program. I want to convey my admiration for your courage
and convictions, and wish you the best for your campaign. Though
I do not live in the 37th District, I shall pass your word to
many family and friends who do live you area. I shall be glad
to provide you with whatever help I can. Most importantly, you
have my prayers. I was fascinated to hear about your son, who is currently serving
in Iraq. I share your ambivalence as a mother who has a son fighting
for the US in a war that we know is wrong. It is more wrong because
it has put so many of our sons and daughters, who believe in
their duty to their country, in harms way. At a time when some
ugly elements in the US society are actively spreading hatred
against Muslims, your son’s service is so much more eventful.
I am indeed proud of his doing his bit to deliver sanity to his
comrades in arms. I pray for his safe return home. He and I share
a great name! Cleveland High School must be proud to have you as a teacher.
Because my mother was a teacher all her life, I have a special
respect for teachers. And I have a daughter going to Granada
High School. I am sure that among other challenges facing our
children at school, you will bring to forth your concerns about
the their future as (1) the politicians of both parties (and
particularly the Bush administration) continue to divert funds
in to endless war efforts at the detriment to their education,
(2) as their future is burdened with debts that these politicians
are creating in their war mongering, and (3) how their attention
to studies suffer as aggressive military recruiters hunt them
down for military service for more wars. I encourage you to raise these issues both in your campaign,
and as a Congresswoman, which I am sure you will become. |
| Jeff C. |
Mrs...
Masry,
Although I am not one of
your constituents and cannot vote for you I offer you support
and thanks in your bid.
If America is to truly be great we must
assimilate all niches
in the legislature and I truly hope you win so you can add your
unique perspective to the decision making process.
I appreciate your courage in even running. |
| Patti M. |
Dear
Ferial, I just saw you on Democracy Now! and I wanted to contact
you
to offer my support and encouragement. I don't know if you remember
me, we
met two summers ago at the economic seminar at UCLA and went for
walks
for coffee. My prayers are with you for your son, I couldn't tell
from the
show if he was still in Iraq or not. He seems like such a wonderful
young man, I remember meeting him during our week at UCLA. What a
precious
gift he is for you. I can't imagine how hard this must be for your
family.
My deepest respect goes to you and your family for being active
with your
passion for making this a better world. I was not surprised when Amy Goodman announced you as the candidate
on her
show. We need more people with your purity to do the right things
with our
government. I would like to offer myself and some of my time to
your
campaign. My limitations are that I live in Santa Cruz and I am
just a
substitute teacher right now ( I got laid off from teaching government
due to a decrease in the student population in high school here).
I can't
offer money for your campaign but it is possible that I can offer
some
of my time this summer and maybe even right before the election.
I have
worked on campaigns before. I was the administrative assistant
to a candidate in the past.
I have relatives in Chatsworth I could stay with (all Democrats)
but I would also be willing to stay with others working closely
on the campaign with you if you needed late hour efforts. Stay
well, Ferial. My home number is (831)…...
Thanks for doing this work. |
| S. |
Just
read an article about you on the BBC website. I'm a British-Yemeni
living in London (UK), campaigning on Arab issues. You are doing
a fantastically worthy and valuable task, and I wish more Arabs
were politically active.
Best of luck, and I look forward to many years of supporting
you in office.
|
N. T., Ph.D.
Women's Studies Department
California State University, Northridge
|
Dear
Ferial,
I just wanted to thank you on behalf of my students and myself
for your truly inspiring
and dynamic lecture at our campus on Nov. 8, 2004. Students found
you as a very good role model for being an agent of change toward
improvement of our democracy and
betterment of our lives in this country and abroad. Many thanks
for taking the time to visit our campus and best wishes in your
social and political activities for a democratic and peaceful
world.
|
Ann P.
Northampton, MA
|
Dear
Ms. Masry:
I heard about you this morning on my local NPR station, and must
say yours
is the most inspirational story I have heard in a long, long time.
There has
been very little in the news to make me proud to be an American (since
2000 or so, anyway--you may draw your own conclusions as to why 8-),
but your story made even this jaded Democrat proud.
Having lived in Morocco as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have perhaps
a better-than-average idea than most Americans of what your candidacy
represents--it's a miracle, plain and simple. God is great, indeed!
The story this morning noted that you are an inspiration to women
throughout
the Muslim world--might I add you're also a tremendous inspiration
to at
least one woman in Western Massachusetts.
|
| Ann |
Dear
Ferial:
Well, you've certainly energized this Democrat! How wonderful
that you're going to run again--your message is one Americans
sorely need to hear, especially in light of the election results.
Thank
you for your inspiring message--and please let me know if I
can be of any further support.
|
| Kate G. |
Dear
Ms. Masry -
I heard about your campaign in a National Public Radio story and
was very impressed with your efforts. I hope you continue to seek
public office; our country needs people like you as our leaders.
If I could, I would have voted for you (I'm a registered Missouri
voter)! Don't give up!
|
Lisa H.
Thousand Oaks, CA
|
Dear
Ms. Masry,
I just heard on the news this morning that you plan to file
the paperwork for the 2006 election next week. After the disappointment
of the presidential election this week, it was especially good
news to hear another of my favorite candidates is planning to
run again. Given the strong republican leanings of Ventura County
and the challenges of
running against an incumbent, I think the gains you made in this
campaign were highly commendable, and I look forward to supporting
you on the road to victory in 2006!
Good luck and thank you for not giving up!
|
Bob E.
Burnaby, BC |
Sorry
to hear you didn't make it in the election. I was praying for you
since hearing your interview on PBS and ABC Person of the Week
award. I am an American living in British Columbia and wish I could
have voted for you. Don't give up...your final result was amazing
against such a formidable incumbent. I hope you will continue the
fight in another election...maybe next time the Democratic party
will support you more in your fight.
|
| Katherine B. |
Dear Ms. Masry,
I am writing to you today to display my admiration for you.
By running in
this election you have not only broken through barriers of your
own culture,
you have also been a beacon of hope for all oppressed women.
We
continue to fight for our rights and equality and the rights
of our sisterhood
across the world. You are certainly a woman that I look up to
and admire. Thank you for your courage,
|
| A voter in northern CA. |
Regardless of the outcome of this race, you are already the
winner, and an inspiration to all Californians.
|
| W.M. |
Just wanted to drop a quick line by saying good for you! I'm
a registered Republican in Maryland and I will NOT be voting
Republican this election. First time in the 26 years that I have
been voting. I will be changing my party affiliation after this
election.
|
| Unknown |
Dear Ms. Masry:
I heard about you this morning on my local NPR station, and
must say yours
is the most inspirational story I have heard in a long, long
time. There has
been very little in the news to make me proud to be an American
(since 2000
or so, anyway--you may draw your own conclusions as to why 8-),
but your
story made even this jaded Democrat proud.
Having lived in Morocco as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have perhaps
a better-than-average idea than most Americans of what your candidacy
represents--it's a miracle, plain and simple. God is great, indeed!
The story this morning noted that you are an inspiration to
women throughout
the Muslim world--might I add you're also a tremendous inspiration
to at
least one woman in Western Massachusetts
|
*The Designations are for description only
|