Dr. Yvonne Goldsberry:

Headwinds and the Unstoppable Power of Persistence

New Hampshire communities are made up of thoughtful, smart, caring people who know our democracy is built on solid ground. Together our people have worked to ensure that all Granite Staters have access to opportunity and good health, and that opportunity begins anew with each new generation. From the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, to the shrinking of the manufacturing workforce during the 80s and 90s, to the recent shift in movement patterns that are increasing the number of immigrants in the state, we have thought deeply and dynamically to find solutions that support our communities to thrive. In their day, these challenges created strong headwinds, but our people persisted.

Today’s headwinds are no different. We face growing viciousness in our politics and a cost-of-living crisis. The labor force continues to shrink, and certain fields like health care and child care face staggering worker shortages that cause massive disruptions for all of us. New Hampshire has the largest percentage of residents with student loan debt (16%) of any state. Schools and other public spaces in New Hampshire are not safe for LGBTQIA+ youth. Our state is struggling with a surge in racialized violence. A widespread resurgence in antisemitism is making our Jewish neighbors feel unsafe in their communities. In the face of this, our charge today is clear: We need to protect and expand pathways to opportunity, and we must do so in ways that allow for open dialogue.