Scott Swenson

RH Reality Check

Faith and values have always motivated my work in politics, Congress, for nonprofits and foundations doing progressive advocacy work for 20 years. Before helping to create and launch Rewire and becoming its Executive Editor, I was proud to bring my values to work securing rights for the terminally ill as Executive Director of the Death with Dignity National Center (2001-2005), the organization that passed, promoted and defended Oregon’s Death with Dignity Law; fighting racism by helping produce and promote the Voices Special Forum at the U.N. World Conference Against Racism in 2001; and in my work to promote rights for people regardless of sexual orientation or HIV status at the Gill Foundation. My work communicating progressive vision was honed at Communications Consortium Media Center, Public Agenda, and working for Rep. Dan Glickman and on state and federal campaigns. Some of us get that it is life that motivates us to make the world a better and more inclusive place. Faith (writ large) and democracy, are being perverted by those who cannot tolerate anything outside of their narrow world view. We should all be aware that each life is precious, blessed with free will, and responsible for the choices we make.  

Be the Change You Seek

I've been signing my emails with the "Be the change you seek" paraphrase of Mahatma Gandhi for many years. It is an every day reminder that change starts within. The challenge with change is you don't always know where you're going, or what exactly within you is changing, until you get there. But you take the first step, sometimes a leap, following where your heart leads when opportunity knocks, and change reveals itself.

I'm thankful I answered the knock as my heart led me to RH Reality Check almost four years ago.

Rewire: Welcome to Common Ground

Why is Rewire, a site founded and dedicated to promoting progressive ideas about the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health, engaging this discussion about common ground?