Bend resident Amy Sabbadini was elected delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. She recently responded to a few questions we asked about her experience.
What made you proud? I felt fortunate to be elected as a delegate to the Convention. I do think it was an important duty that someone from Central Oregon be in the ‘room where it happened’ when we delegates voted unanimously for Kamala Harris to become the nominee after Biden dropped out and endorsed her. Because of the timing of ballot deadlines, we actually voted virtually ahead of time, so by the time we all arrived in Chicago, the roll call was ceremonial. I was particularly proud to see Tim Walz, a social studies teacher like myself, receive so much admiration. He says to never underestimate a public school
teacher and that just fills me with pride. A moment that made me proud to be an Oregonian was at the Demapalooza expo, where an organization advocating for gender parity in politics had a map of the USA. Oregon was ranked #1 in the country for gender parity. We have elected so many women to so many powerful positions here! Also, being the first state to have vote-by-mail makes Oregon particularly democratic.
What gave you hope? The solidarity of the delegates coming together to usher in Harris and Walz gave me hope that we can come together to win. It was also so encouraging to be with people from other states and territories working toward the same goal. I was impressed with the power of organizing shown by so many people, especially Black women, working to elect Democrats up and down the ballot and to be ready to act when the moment arrived. That moment is here and the electricity of the opportunity is palpable. Hope is also frightening because the disappointment can be so crushing, as many of us discussed the horror of watching election night 2016. That can happen again if we get complacent. In retrospect, Hillary’s valiant work knocked obstacles out of the way to make it possible for a Harris victory. Shirley Chisholm and Geraldine Ferraro were both heralded in the Women’s Caucus for their pioneering courage which made it a little bit easier for powerful women now to take podiums they are well qualified for. The energy behind this ticket is unreal. Women are ready to lead.
What did you find difficult? The convention was exhausting. The schedule was intense with very little time to get rest or nourishment. Even breakfast had speakers, starting at 7 am, and we sometimes weren’t done with formal proceedings until midnight. Security was so tight that we delegates were quite restricted in terms of food and drink and movement. Getting from the delegation hotels to the McCormick Center then to the United Center meant we were on the shuttles and in security lines for about four hours each day. That did present great opportunities for chatting with delegates from other parts of the country, though.
What moments have stayed with you? So many moments have stayed with me. To state the obvious, The Obamas’ speeches were exceptional. They are the power couple of the century. Hillary’s grace in passing the torch moved me to tears. Biden’s daughter’s praise of her big-hearted father and what we owe to him as a country struck a chord. I also felt deep gratitude for the Republicans who came to the DNC and spoke of the quality of Harris as a candidate and the dangers of Trump. I was so impressed with their bravery in such a public declaration. But the moment that left me speechless was when the actress Sheryl Lee Ralph came to the Women’s Caucus and called us to action. I believe my jaw actually dropped. [Do you remember any words she said? It would be great to quote or paraphrase her]
Amy Sabbadini is an elected precinct leader for the Deschutes Democrats and recently represented Oregon’s Congressional District 5 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Amy moved to Bend in 2005 when she accepted a position as a social studies teacher at Bend High School. She also became active in state education policy, serving as Legislative Advisory Council chair for the Oregon Education Association and was the president of the Cascade Uniserv Council, representing teachers in the High Desert. She is now the Central Oregon Regional Program Manager for the nonprofit Civics Learning Project and teaches in OSU Cascades’ Master’s in Teaching program. Before becoming an educator, Amy was a land use planner in Santa Barbara County and holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from UC Santa Barbara. Amy is the daughter of Vocal Seniority Steering Committee member Roger Sabbadini and Vocal Seniority member Gail Sabbadini.
