Photos by J. Anson Bills
Jennifer Gilliland met with supporters at the Gathering Place at 751 South Getty Street between 10 AM and Noon today for a Meet, Greet and Eat event and Declaration Party to officially announce her candidacy for City of Uvalde Mayor.
Her campaign slogan is, “Rollin’ for What’s Right!”
At the meeting she gave the following speech:
“Hi, I’m Jennifer Gilleland and I am prominent member of the Uvalde community either by name, reputation, or simply known as the woman who rolls the streets of Uvalde daily in a power wheelchair. I treat my wheelchair as my feet / vehicle, it is essential to my independence.
I have never considered myself an inspiration to others, I have just done what I was taught to do, which was work twice as hard as everyone else to accomplish my goals. My cerebral palsy has given me my share of struggles and heartaches, but this disability is a part of me. Through the years, it has taught me the power of resiliency, determination, patience, and laughter.
Sure, I’ve been tried and tested, rejected more than I can count, fallen flat on my face both literally and figuratively, yet I keep getting back up hoping for change. Each one of us is battling something, mine just happens to be audible and visible.
Despite my disability I have achieved a long list of accomplishments. I graduated from Uvalde High School in 1997 and from Southwest Texas Junior College in 2001. In May 2006, I earned my Master of Education in counseling with licensed professional counselor eligibility from Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College. I organized the Ray of Hope Disabilities Support Group in 2010.
I have always loved Uvalde, but lately I am so frustrated, disappointed, and embarrassed by the lack of leadership shown and acted upon in this city, and county. I continue to give the leaders of Uvalde the benefit of the doubt that they will act and the only action I see is inaction.
We all must be responsible and accountable for our actions. If I am going to complain about these broken entities, then I should be willing to roll for what’s right and announce my candidacy for mayor. Our current leaders seem to have forgotten that they work for the citizens of Uvalde. May 24, 2022, changed our community. It is broken and divided due to the lack of accountability and responsibility.
The only way for our community to heal and unite is by making full scale changes. I do not follow, I lead. It’s time to stop accepting mediocrity and do better; we deserve better. Let me be clear, I am not running for notoriety or to prove anything to anyone it’s been done. I will not be changing the way I interact with others because my disability is a part of me, but I will prepare statements when necessary. I’ve been asked repeatedly why am I running. The answer is simple, I want change for Uvalde and action for Uvaldeans. So, come roll with me as we begin this journey together.”
