It's been one year and one day since I was sworn in to the Louisiana House of Representatives. This year was difficult in the most unexpected of ways, but I am so happy and proud to be representing a slice of New Orleans up in Baton Rouge. 

We are so excited to have been invited by the Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee to take part in the National Day of Service this Monday, January 18, 2021. The local committee volunteers asked us to keep our winter sock drive open for a little longer, in order to incorporate it into the MLK day of service. We will be at Silky's on Magnolia Street from 12-4 collecting socks, or you can donate online at the Walmart registry link. Socks are the most needed item at shelters; we are collecting for local orgs Kingsley House, Hagar's House, and Ozanam Inn. 

Last week was awful. I was in full panic mode all day on Wednesday, remembering what it was like to work on Capitol Hill on September 11. I wish I could say that I was surprised, but I wasn't - anyone who has been involved in reproductive rights knows that the crazed white supremacists storming the US Capitol are the same ones who harass women seeking care and murder abortion doctors. We need to be more careful now than ever before, and do all that we can to keep our country together and safe for everyone. This is a good article describing what happened last week from the perspective of those in the US Capitol Building.

Covid vaccines are here in Louisiana, but the process is slow. Right now they are still working on providing vaccines to health care workers and those over 70. Keep watching the news or check the site above to find out when you will be able to get a vaccine. Participating New Orleans pharmacies can be found here.

Late last year, I awarded the Tulane legislative scholarship assigned to me to a dynamite young woman named Manal Malik. Tulane would be out of reach for Manal without a scholarship. I received a similar scholarship when I went to college, and I know firsthand how life-changing it can be. Manal is pre-med and is an actual, literal straight-A student; she is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants and is one of six children. Three of her older siblings are also going to medical school as well. I am really proud of how hard she works and I can't wait to see her career take off. Congratulations Manal.

KAREN CARTER PETERSON

My state senator, the one and only KCP, is running for Congress in the Second District, which stretches from Nola to Baton Rouge. This election will be held on Saturday, March 20. Karen was just endorsed by .... drumroll please .... STACEY ABRAMS!