From Wine Moms to Political Force: The Rise of Women-Led Resistance
Springfield, Ohio, is becoming a focal point in a growing trend: women organizing to counter political policies they oppose. What began as small, localized groups – often dubbed “wine moms” – is evolving into a significant political force, demonstrating an ability to mobilize quickly and effectively, particularly around immigration issues.
The Red Wine & Blue Model: Harnessing Suburban Power
Red Wine & Blue, founded in 2019 by Katie Paris, exemplifies this shift. The organization specifically targets suburban women, recognizing their pivotal role in elections and their often-overlooked political priorities. Paris founded the group after observing increased female political engagement following the 2016 election. The organization now boasts over 600,000 members and a staff of approximately 60, having hosted 4,000 events in the past year.
Their strategy isn’t about expensive ad campaigns; it’s about “friend-to-friend” organizing. Analysis indicates this approach increases voter turnout by 5 percent in even years and 8 to 11 percent in odd years. A recent membership analysis revealed that 54 percent of their members are current or former political independents or Republicans.
Springfield, Ohio: A Microcosm of National Concerns
The situation in Springfield, where as many as one in four residents are Haitian, highlights the urgency driving this movement. The potential expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 350,000 Haitians and the threat of increased ICE enforcement sparked immediate action. A Zoom call hosted by Red Wine & Blue drew over 4,000 participants, focused on fundraising for local groups supporting Haitian families.
The call featured local pastor Carl Ruby, Catholic charity leader Casey Rollins, Viles Dorsainvil, director of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center and legal experts. Minneapolis-based Rev. Ashley Horan shared insights from her community’s response to ICE activity.
Within an hour, the group raised over $107,000, demonstrating a rapid response capability fueled by a network of engaged members.
Beyond Immigration: A Broader Resistance Movement
This isn’t solely about immigration. Women have been at the forefront of opposition to the current administration, participating in resistance efforts and forming groups to counter policies on various issues. They’ve been labeled with various names – “suburban housewives,” “Chardonnay Antifa,” “wine moms,” “soccer moms,” and “Zoom moms” – a tactic Paris believes is intended to diminish their political influence.
Red Wine & Blue’s response to being labeled “organized gangs of wine moms” using “Antifa tactics” by a Fox News columnist illustrates their resilience: “Add it to the very long list of names they’ve called us. They can try to scare us, they can try to shame us… but we’re still showing up, still supporting our communities.”
The Power of Collective Action and Direct Support
The success of Red Wine & Blue and similar groups lies in their ability to translate concern into concrete action, primarily through direct financial support for affected communities. This model emphasizes immediate, tangible assistance rather than solely focusing on long-term political strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Red Wine & Blue? Red Wine & Blue is an organization that mobilizes suburban women to fight political extremism.
- Where did the “wine mom” label originate? The term originated as a dismissive label applied to politically active women, which the organization has embraced, and reclaimed.
- What is TPS? Temporary Protected Status is an immigration designation that allows some individuals to live and work legally in the United States.
- How effective is Red Wine & Blue’s organizing? Their on-the-ground organizing has been shown to increase voter turnout by 5 percent in even years and 8 to 11 percent in odd years.
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