Small City, Big Change: The founder of The Red Boot Coalition Sparks Dialogue in the La Porte Community

Changing the political landscape of the United States is a hefty task, but Molly Barker, founder of the Red Boot Coalition, is on a mission to do just that.

Recently established and gaining momentum, The Red Boot Coalition is a movement, aimed at "unabashedly and courageously bring[ing] joy, compassion, love, vulnerability, unity, humility, reflection and strength to the United States political system."

As part of her nationwide tour, Molly Barker is visiting cities around the country on an errand to initiate conversation, action and change, not only in the political arena as her website suggests, but among American citizens and community members who wish to create an atmosphere of positive social development in their hometowns.

Thursday evening, La Porte Mayor Blair Milo, along with a group of various area residents ranging from councilmen, to leaders in education, to curious members of the community, gathered to listen to Barker as well as engage in a discussion as to the state of La Porte and the type of grassroots efforts that will help steer their community towards growth.

Mayor Milo said, "So many people are inspired by this type of idea (The Red Boot Coalition) and are concerned about the issues of polarization in our political system as well as the anger that exists in many political situations. We're here, because we want to learn how to insert more of the compassion and love and humility that so much of us feel, back into government."

In the seats surrounding both the mayor and Ms. Barker, sat other ordinary, average Americans, with shared visions of a community empowered, not wrought with negativity or mudslinging, but built on a cornerstone of trust, humility, and accountability.

As those in the audience (it would be better to think of them as round table participants) took turns in voicing their ideas of a perfect political system, a general consensus began to take shape – simply speaking about making La Porte a better place to live would not be enough, a call to action would have to be made. A call to action sparks a movement! - and isn't it what we've always learned, that actions speak louder than words?

The story of how The Red Boot Coalition came to be is an interesting one and can be read about on the Red Boot Coalition website, as well as on its Facebook page. But the origins of the "red boots" is not as important or significant as what the red boots represent...self-discovery, strength, the desire to change and step outside of one's box...these are the notions Molly Barker is helping to spread across the country. These are the notions an inspired La Porte has adopted in its path towards a better, more involved community.

This is not Barker's first time taking initiative to shed light on important topics or embarking on positive endeavors. Barker is the founder of Girls on the Run, a program that helps adolescent girls find their voice and embrace change and challenges that take place during that very crucial time in their lives. Barker helps young women to realize they are limitless. Check out the Girls on the Run Facebok page!

Among her peers, her neighbors, her friends, Mayor Milo wrapped up the evening's event with a warm thank you to Ms. Barker and a gift of a Maple Leaf, the city's trademark insignia. Standing to exit, community members embraced and shook hands, but stalled before the doorway. Bursting with fervent and passionate ideals, men and women of the town continued to chat and share their perspectives. Voices tumbled over one another, conversations blended and weaved; you could hear one woman say above the others..."We are all politicians, in our own way. We have to be the politicians we wish to have."

Molly Barker could be seen nodding in agreement. Change was in the air.