This was written by Maureen Reno:
My daughter, Satori, recently had the opportunity to find her young activist voice. Last summer, she and I were invited to join with 500 concerned parents and their children to participate in the Moms Clean Air Force’s second annual Play-In for Climate Action. In addition to the fun, kid-friendly events, we met with many state senators and their staff.
Satori and I visited with my senator, Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH). She took time out of her busy schedule to talk with us. Looking directly at Satori, the senator asked, “Why did you participate in the Play-In?” Flashing her sweet smile, my daughter began her story about a classmate with asthma who constantly uses his inhaler. I was quick to add that according to a recent report by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, about 10 % or approximately 28,000 New Hampshire children suffered from asthma in 2013. Satori continued, telling Sen. Ayotte that air pollution is the cause of this boy’s sickness, and since we can stop power plants from polluting our air, we should. When we left, the senator kindly gave Satori a chocolate moose-shaped lollipop.
Since our visit with Sen. Ayotte, we received a photo and thank you letter from her office. Satori reminded me, we must make a card thanking her for the lollipop. I have no doubt that the dialogue between Sen. Ayotte and my daughter will continue.
As a busy mother, I know my days are dedicated to raising a very active and inquisitive young girl. Yet, I work with Moms Clean Air Force, to urge my federal and state leaders to protect our children’s health and support America’s Clean Power Plan. If you don’t have the time to visit your political leaders personally, please write letters to the editor of your local paper, or better yet, help your little one craft a card expressing gratitude for their support of protecting children’s health.
Maureen Reno has been a Moms Clean Air Force Supermom in New Hampshire since 2012. She applies her education as an economist to fighting for policies that help Americans choose renewable energy and energy efficiency as a means to a cleaner, energy independent environment. Maureen, her husband and daughter live in Derry, NH.