As part of an ongoing series at BlogHer, Ericka Andersen will be writing profile pieces of House Republican women. The first installment is here, with Congresswoman Sue Myrick (NC). See the following excerpt:
Congresswoman Sue Myrick (NC) grew up on a fruit farm in Northern Ohio -- a peach orchard, to be exact. It was a childhood filled with tree climbing, fruit picking and hammock swinging where money was tight and food was homegrown.
With three younger brothers, perhaps she was born to be a leader, but Myrick didn't have political aspirations until well into adulthood. It might have been her love of Abraham Lincoln that eventually fueled the fire.
"He had so much wisdom -- I mean he was a common man with common sense full of wisdom, he looked to God for his guidance,” said Myrick. “He was literally just to me what you should be in public service.”
After moving to North Carolina later in life, Myrick attended her very first City Council meeting in Charlotte. There, she unknowingly launched a long political career. After giving the town leaders a piece of her mind regarding what could have been an unfair property deal, friends urged her to run for an open spot on the Council.
“I had no money, no experience, no political background,” said Myrick. “I didn’t know anything, you know? We had a ragtag team of just our kids, and we put up signs.”