The Journey of a Concerned Mom Turned Education Activist
In 2020, Norman, Oklahoma resident Kendra Wesson found herself at a crossroads. A self-described wallflower and mother of eight watched the uncertainty of the pandemic unfold and the changes it made to her community. One morning she woke up mourning the country she had grown up in — the America she had hoped to pass onto her children. Suddenly, their future and freedoms seemed uncertain.
Horror-struck as COVID-19 mandates left her children slipping into a state of isolation and straining their ability to learn in school, she found herself needing to get involved.
“As 2020 evolved and time went on, I just felt like I can be someone who is asking or I can be someone who is doing,” said Kendra.
Kendra’s burning passion to get involved lacked direction and guidance.
Grassroots Leadership Academy: Kendra Finds Her Voice
The turning point came in 2022 when Michael Morrison, the Director of Grassroots Operations for Americans for Prosperity, approached Kendra at an event, recruiting changemakers to attend a Grassroots Leadership Academy training.
Astounded by the genuineness of the invite, Kendra decided to take a chance and attend the training. To her surprise, AFP brought trailblazing communication strategies that taught her to leverage storytelling to connect with community members. She dove into the world of grassroots engagement and tactics that allowed her to navigate complex policy pursuits.
“I was very fortunate to have gone to the training and learned how to talk to legislators, how to advocate, and just to be more sure of myself and the issues.”
Through it all she not only found a community of like-minded people, but she discovered her voice and began to envision herself at the table, whereas before it seemed like a scary and unattainable outcome.
Mike Sylvester, Senior GLA Trainer, noticed a difference in Kendra right away. She gained confidence, and felt inclined to raise her hand and mentor her peers. He recalls “many individuals like Kendra [were] scared to get involved in politics and felt overwhelmed” but through GLA training they attained the ability to “[greater] their impact within their communities”.
“We were learning but it didn’t feel like just sitting in a classroom taking lecture notes. It was an experience,” proclaimed Kendra.
Kendra’s School Board Appointment
Throughout the training process Kendra’s passion for education reform grew stronger and finally, due to her GLA training, she had the tools to chart her own path forward. Her grit and commitment to change caught the attention of key Oklahoma leaders.
In January 2023, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Kendra to the State Board of Education for Congressional District 4; a role in which she was able to rally support around education freedom. In just a short span of time, Kendra’s hallmark achievements include: championing a tax credit program that allows students and parents to customize their education, and helping schools re-prioritize their financial structure by cutting down on administrative costs.
Kendra credits AFP’s GLA training for being the catalyst for her advocacy journey, recalling that “without the partnership with AFP and my GLA training, I think this journey would have been a lot tougher and probably a lot longer.”
Her story serves as an inspiration to others who may feel powerless in the face of societal changes and endless red tape. It shows that with proper training and cutting-edge tools, concerned citizens have the power to forge positive change in their communities.
Kendra’s story is a staunch reminder that individuals motivated by their circumstances can step up and be the change they want to see in their communities.
