Dr. Ruth's Daughter

Irreverence moved to depression over these last few weeks, as attacks on the federal government came faster and more viciously. Last weekend, the billionaire tyrant demanded an email describing five things we had done in the past week, and threatening immediate termination as a consequence of non response. Our agency wrote separately “you must respond to this email.”

Taking a step back, the job I have now is the product of roughly twenty years of dreams about working in public health. Seventeen years ago i started driving by agency of employment and telling people “Someday I will work there.” I finished my bachelors, took out loans and got help from my parents to get a masters, and pursued a doctorate and licensure. All together my post high school education and training, specifically in pursuit of this employment, took 13 years. I then worked as a contractor at my agency for 8 years until the role I have now came up a year ago.

I couldn’t be more dedicated to the mission. Obsessed with WWII history, raised by mother who served Veterans after Vietnam, mentored a professor dedicated to public health , I am driven ever day by the privilege of serving Veterans.

But the same persistence, drive and patriotism to our country that led me here, require that I refuse the orders of a fascist regime. I will not respond to emails meant to cull our ranks and test our loyalty to a tyrant.

The grief I feel about this makes it hard to get out of bed sometimes.

I’m in a lucky position that my role allows me the find other work fairly quickly, most are not in this position and cannot resist for that reason.

I’m grateful for the support of fellow feds and my family.

I wish everyone strength as we push forward.