Governing with Guts #1: Hoosier Women Set to Elect Indiana’s First Black Governor, Dr. Woody Myers 

By Founding Editor Rachael Himsel

September 12, 2020

Up until now, the rest of the country thought Indiana would run red this November.

But Hoosier women are creating a blue wave across the state, with a huge turnout from southern Indiana, an area too many think of as deeply red, when at best we are purple, but really more periwinkle.

How do I know this? First, I was born and raised in Jasper, Indiana, and I’ve lived in Bloomington for 17 years now. Second, as I type, thousands and thousands of Hoosier women are mobilizing across our state to get out the vote this year, and make sure we vote for candidates who have the best skills and diplomacy for the job. 

And while I think our current (Republican) governor is likely a nice guy, his time is up. We need to make way for new voices.

Once elected, Dr. Myers would be 1, the first black governor of Indiana ever. He is also the medical doctor and the only black candidate in any gubernatorial race this year. For all these reasons and more, we are proud to name Dr. Woody Myers as the first politician to receive the Women with Guts backing.

So many people say they are tired of the negativity being spewed forth from our elected and semi-elected leaders, people who say they want change, and they are ready to fight for it. But if we truly want to create change, if we are ready to fight for a new voice to represent our state, then we have to work for it. And there are thousands upon thousands of us doing the work, daily. And I am positive that Hoosiers will rise up to embrace the incredible opportunity we have to make history in Indiana this year - and not just by electing the first black governor. We will make history by showing our country that here in the heartland, women are listening, and we are ready for leaders who believe in science, equal rights for all, and working to right the imbalances created by racism, sexism, and nationalism.

Because here’s the thing: you can’t just wave a red hat in the air and undo statistics. That’s not how math works. And what the math shows us is that women in Indiana and across this country do not have the same opportunities as men. And black women historically been THE most discriminated against in the workplace, still making less money on average than any other demographic in the US. 

I believe Dr. Woody Myers will work hard to create programs targeted at helping women of Indiana, the single moms, the working moms, the senior women who need assistance. I believe Dr. Woody Myers will look out for our most vulnerable citizens, and make strides to create a more balanced workplace for all Hoosiers, regardless of who we love, what our skin looks like, or what we do with our bodies

Do you see how huge this is, Hoosier mamas? 

And though I have lived most of my life in Indiana, I have traveled quite a bit, and worked for one of the top PR firms in the Bay Area for 5 years, and for an award-winning nonprofit in Chicago right after I graduated college. So I’ve heard what people think of “flyover country” like Indiana, and I’ve even been told by a New Yorker, “But…but…you’re too cool for Indiana!”

Clearly he hadn’t met many Hoosiers. ;)

So even though there are some people who make fun of us, we know that some of kindest, smartest, most hard-working people live here. So let them say what they want, because my Indiana wants to have the best, smartest person in office - especially to lead us through the Covid-19 pandemic!

And who better to lead us through it than a doctor?

As a doctor, Woody Myers has also seen the effects that poor access to healthcare has on women, especially women living in poverty and women of color. Dr. Myers remains dedicated to providing healthcare for the most vulnerable among us, and will fight hard for a woman’s right to govern her own body. He believes that a woman’s health is her business - not the government’s. In a state where too many people still somehow equate ‘pro-choice’ to ‘pro-abortion,’ it’s vital that we vote for educated, thoughtful leaders who understand and can help explain that women’s guts are their business, and no one else’s! 

I believe Dr. Myers will always work hard to support my rights as a woman, and build upon his strong record of fighting for the physical and mental health of all Hoosiers. And speaking of health, Dr. Myers believes in legalizing medicinal cannabis, which would create more “green” jobs for Hoosiers and could potentially decrease our alarmingly high suicide rate and lower our abysmal opioid addiction numbers as well.

We also support Dr. Myers because he has chosen Linda Lawson, a former cop who knows first hand what it’s like to bust through glass ceilings, as his running mate for lieutenent governor. A lifelong champion for social justice and equality, women, workers, animals, and public schools. Lawson is no stranger to leading the way for women. 

For all these reasons, and as the founding editor of Women with Guts, I am happy to endorse Dr. Woody Myers for governor. I ask you to read more about him, and help us spread the word that Dr. Woody Myers is the best person to lead Indiana into a healthier, happier future for all Hoosiers, including his own children and grandchildren…

So this November, please follow your gut, and tell your friends: The Doctor is IN!