Patty Chestain [RENObama! member since Apr 1st, 2007 (kick-off party)] Patty introduced Barack to an exclusive town hall meeting at Reno's Wooster High on August 17, 2008!

Knowing what Patty is going through makes her contribution to the Obama campaign through RENObama's giving even more profound. Patty's $100 donation to Obama for America near the end of the primary season tipped us over our fundraising goal of $777. That kind of donation is a struggle for Patty as it is for many of us. But she is so committed to his presidency she is willing to sacrifice greatly to make it so.

Patty stated at the Howard's house party on 31 March, 07 that she would "do anything for this man to become President." Since then she has remained true to her word, coming down from Virginia City to attend Issues in a Nutshell, and get tickets for "O in Reno" into peoples hands in the most creative of ways (ask her sometime). She was on the phone bank and had hard duty in the sun on O day in Reno.

We all sat around the table as the local TV station interviewed Patty for her sincere and heartfelt reasons she supports Barack. At the time Patty was unsure she wanted her business associates to know her stance, now she's happy to tell the world, including taking the expense and time to print up RENObama! biz cards that have been one of our best tools yet.

Patty was caucus chair in Virginia City and was elected as a delegate for Obama to the state convention. Tirelessly working for the man she believes in, she states,

When I heard Jeremiah Wright clips my knee jerk reaction was ....its about time someone said it like it was. Finally its out in the open, that the older generation of our black society still remembers, remembers how it was in the days of darkness and still harbor resentment. The truth....how freeing it is. White folks may be appalled....huh.....they did not see the injustices clearly like I did through my child's eyes in the deep South. If you were not white, male and straight you were treated like an object to be used in any way the dominating white male society wanted to (and no I am not a man hater). Everyone sat on their hands and did not say a word about the injustices swirling around them .....because they were afraid for their LIVES. You think I exaggerate.....no I do not. It was hideous, ugly and horribly suppressive. Jeremiah Wright has deep angry memories of this ugly time in our history. He speaks from his history.

All I have in the last part of my life is the "Audacity to Hope".....hope that this great Country of ours will truly be a society that cares for all its people equally. Obama is the only one that has the voice and vision to accomplish this.

So what if Obama sat in his church and heard these sermons....so what. He is hearing what his elders felt and saw through their eyes what their experiences were. He respectfully listen to what his elders had to say. You think for one moment Obama himself did not feel the backlash of having a white mother and black father....sure he did. Do you not think he has not felt the racism that is alive and well in this Country even in this day and time. Sure he has. But, Obama is trying desperately to move past the past and start a new society where we are all equals until proven otherwise. In his vision for this new society it will not matter if you are female, white, brown, black, gay, Jewish, Muslim, disabled, Republican, Democrat and on and on. All I have in the last part of my life is the "Audacity to Hope".....hope that this great Country of ours will truly be a society that cares for all its people equally. Obama is the only one that has the voice and vision to accomplish this. We all saw that voice and vision when he spoke at the Democratic convention and we were awakened and stirred into thinking "YES WE CAN". We can have a better America. Jeremiah Wright has revealed a truth we all need to hear, embrace, internalize, understand and MOVE ON WITH OBAMA.

Mike Jamieson [RENObama! member since Mar 3rd, 2007] is a retired mental health worker from California. As if he hadn't had enough, now he's working in politics! Mike is the preeminent "I'll do anything and everything" Obama volunteer, He states this is the first campaign he's contributed to since Paul Simon's (He heard from Simon's son after posting the very same on Mike's blog). Mike's been to most meetings since the beginning of RENObama!, walked the precincts, manned booths at Cinco and Riverfest and is a premiere ticket hander-outer, data entry guru, paper shredder--a continuous and thankless job-- and inspiration, especially with his ironic and trenchant humor and upbeat outlook.

Mike was one of the strongest Democratic volunteers for the 2008 caucus. He canvassed 6 precincts to get out the vote and to make sure that vote was for Obama. On caucus day he ended up chairing two precincts. with about 100 people in each precinct. So enrapt in the making sure the caucuses ran well, he found his own ballot in his pocket on the way home: He had forgotten to vote for the Senator and run for delegate himself! No worries: both precincts--as in the majority in Washoe County--went for Obama.

Mike wrote the Obama-friendly blog, Washoe Democrat Caucus. When the caucus was over the blog was retired and he struck up A Forest Wanderer's Notes.

Sheila Leslie [RENObama! member since July 16, 2007] Shelia Leslie has been a strong supporter of Barack Obama since she met him on his visit to Carson City in spring of 2007. She introduced the Senator at the Grand Sierra and Michelle Obama at the Pioneer Center during Hot August Nights '07. Shelia Always ready to speak on behalf of the Senator, Sheila's support has meant a tremendous amount to Nevada Democrats. As Majority Whip of the Assembly, Sheila has been honored with one of the highest official capacities in the state.

Biography: Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie

Sheila Leslie is in her fifth term as a State Assemblywoman representing District 27 in central/southwest Reno. She currently serves in Assembly Leadership as the Majority Whip, while also serving as the Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and the Vice-Chair of Ways and Means.

Sheila is employed by the 2nd Judicial District Court as the Specialty Courts Coordinator, managing the Adult, Family, and Juvenile Drug Courts and the state's first Mental Health Court. She was previously employed as the Executive Director of the Children's Cabinet in Reno.

Sheila holds a Masters Degree in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is the author of numerous articles on human services issues, including publications on teen pregnancy, youth gangs, and mental health.

Sheila has received many awards for her legislative and community service, including the Golden Pinecone for environmental leadership, Veterans Hero from the NV Veterans Service Commission, and the Striving for Latino Advancement Award from the Latinos for Political Empowerment.

She is a former Peace Corps Volunteer, serving in the Dominican Republic, (1979-80) and an Americans Abroad Scholar, studying in Madrid (1973-74).

Dorrie Howard [RENObama! member since March 15, 2007], an 88 year-old WWII ARMY Nurse Corps Veteran, held a campaign kick-off house party at her home, 31 March 2007. From there much of RENObama! was launched (though started in February) and some of our dearest volunteers were hatched. During that period Doris was featured on the official Barack Obama blog and later that week her photo was in rotation on the Barack Obama.com homepage for 2.5 weeks.

In May of 2008, Dorrie called the Bay Area talk radio station KGO to voice her support of Obama. It was a powerful message as most of her demographic is not swinging her way. Asked by radio host John Rothmann if she would vote for Hillary in the general election, Doris responded, "I'm afraid I'd have to find a place to write in Obama."

Doris has met both Obamas. She braved the heat for a word with the Senator at Wingfield Park. Michelle spent some time with Doris to converse with her on veterans' issues and Social Security.

Tammy Soong [RENObama! member since May 1st, 2007], is a mother of two who gives as much of her time as possible to the Obama campaign. Obama makes me believe that anything is possible, she says. I'm beginning to believe with Tammy around anything is possible. From attending meetings to assisting Rachel to washing the dauntingly dirty windows in the office on the first day, Tammy is ubiquitous. If she's ever had a crabby day, it hasn't been around the campaign. Her commitment to environmental policies and social justice in America have lead her to her support of Barack Obama.

Tammy introduced Senator Barack Obama to the crowd of 6000 at the Reno Events Center the week of the NV caucuses.

Tammy and Ken continue to give of their time and their home (for vols and out of town campaign guests). Throughout the NV county and state convention season, Tammy continued to be one of the most engaged and active volunteers stengthening the grassroots network for Obama here in Washoe County.

Dave Baker [RENObama! member since December 5, 2007] came to be an Obama volunteer later in the game, but instantly made up for lost time. Dave took the plunge and completely immersed after his first four hour canvassing stint on 1 Dec. He was hooked so much that after getting his single delegate precinct to go for Obama, he packed off to Colorado and helped win that state by 70%. Not to be daunted, TX was in his sites. He would have headed there straight after CO, but he returned to do triple duty for the county convention: He headed up the phonebank to make sure all Obama delegates showed or had alternates replace them. He helped coordinate with the national campaign to get the room set up for Obama as well as made a big noise for Obama that day in which Washoe County voted 59% for Obama.


Along with calling and canvassing, Dave became good friends with signage. He put up those big, phat O signs all over town in the middle of the snow and went back to maintain them every few days from the effects of the Reno zephyr. He also became adept at getting folks to put up yard signs.

Why is Dave using up his new-found freedom as a recent retiree as a letter carrier for Obama? "I believe he has the qualities to be a strong leader--and will lead in the right direction. He can pronounce nuclear."

Marilyn McDonald [RENObama! member since Mar 31st, 2007 (kick-off party)], is one of our prime movers and shakers. Attending and helping plan our Issues in a Nutshell series, spending flex time at both of our booths and calling, calling, calling, Marilyn has only one thing in mind, the next President of the United States.

Obama is the best candidate since Abe Lincoln and he is definitely the right idea to pull our country together!

David Sanders [RENObama! member since Apr 24th, 2007] has been seen wherever the campaign or RENObama! has been. From "renoRIVERFESTIVAL" booth manning, to the "Issues in a Nutshell" series to walking the precincts in a canvass, David is there. Why? "Barack strikes me as someone who will approach problems INTELLIGENTLY and COMPASSIONATELY. He also is interested in PEOPLE, and he does not come across as just another "politician" who has become part of the problem -- he is part of the SOLUTION."


David took the lead on the Gift of Service community service action for Barack's Birthday, August 4th, 2007.

Ashley Moore [RENObama! member since April 19, 2007] moved to Reno a little over a year ago. Her daughter Dutchess was born here May 31st, 2006.

Dutchess is Obama's youngest volunteer in Reno, tagging along with Mom to man the Cinco de Mayo booth in a pinch and trucking around Reno neighborhoods while canvassing.

Dutchess met President Obama himself, the very day she turned 1! Ashley nabbed the NV license plate, "OBAMA."

Michelle & Juan Macera [RENObama! members since Apr 20th, 2007], Michelle holds a Ph.D. in psychology while Juan has his Masters in computer engineering from UNR. Michelle and Juan have manned our Cinco de Mayo and Reno Riverfestival booths. At Cinco, Michelle and Juan happily extended their time for much longer than they had planned, while Billy ran off to make more copies of O materials. We had a successful day of getting more than 45 volunteers signed up. My initial impression was that Juan was along for the ride with Michele who is a big fan of Obama, but now Juan seems as committed as anyone to his presidency.

Michelle's favorite quote is, It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. —Elenor Roosevelt