Four years ago I watched the election returns here in Spain and was inspired. I was inspired that change could happen so dramatically here in Spain. I thought—if this can happen here, it can happen in the US. I went online and found Democrats Abroad, signed up and wrote that I was willing to help out any way possible.

In May of 2004 I attended a meeting to launch the Madrid chapter of Democrats Abroad Spain. About 80 of us turned out—an agitated group desperate to replace Mr. George W. Bush and restore sanity to the White House. The meeting progressed to the key point of the evening: we needed a president to lead this group.

One member raised his hand and said he was willing to do it, but couldn’t be here in the summer. My heart raced—I thought, this, I can do. I know how to lead groups of volunteers. I nudged my new friend Genevieve and said, “Hey, nominate me.” Without flinching she raised her hand and did so. I accepted. A few minutes later, I was voted in as the founding president of the Madrid Chapter of Democrats Abroad Spain.

We didn’t win in November, but I think the true test of an activist is you ability to keep going during hard times. I’ve spent the past four years building up Democrats Abroad Spain. Last year I was elected national president and have built a formidable national executive committee of activists. Since January, we’ve doubled our numbers and I expect to double them again between now and November to deliver thousands of votes for the Democratic candidate.

Thank you, Prime Minister Zapatero and the PSOE for continuing to inspire me!