CHICAGO -- Wisconsin Delegate Terri Wenkman of Jefferson expected to have a busy first day at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, but a 1 a.m. return to her hotel room to finally crash wasn't in her forecast.
It was a long day for everyone in Chicago, as the DNC was met with a city filled with energetic Kamala Harris and Tim Walz supporters. Volunteers, politicians and liberals piled into McCormick Place during the day to attend caucus meetings and panels before the United Center was packed with a roaring crowd for a night's worth of speeches along with heated protestors.
When President Joe Biden concluded his long, heartfelt and hopeful speech at around 11:30 p.m., it also ended an empowering day for Wenkman.
"I would say it definitely exceeded my expectations," Wenkman said. "But how do you keep building momentum to Thursday, after the first day? It's so exciting. Do they have that many more great speakers? And then there's inspiration still left in all these people."
She started her first day of the convention at the Wisconsin delegate breakfast, which featured a surprise visit from Tim Walz, speakers, a chat with Governor Tony Evers about the Jefferson School District and an extensive chat with Wisconsin's Izzy Hassey Nevarez.
The busy morning was met with an equally busy afternoon, that included a couple of caucus meeting, the first about locally-elected officials.
"They talked about the importance of not losing sight of local elections and the power of those folks in their communities, because they're the people you know," she said. "They're not learning about you on NBC or Fox News. I might not agree with that person politically, but they've lived here for 20 years, so I'm more likely to listen and have a conversation. It is easier to have a conversation with somebody when our kids go to school together. Let's just take a couple of minutes and realize that we have more in common than different."
She also attended an Environmental and Climate Crisis Council meeting, where the focus pushed on people starting conversations with co-workers and employers.
Wenkman then spent her evening in the United Center, where she listened to life-long Democrats, and some just beginning their political journeys talk about the Harris/Walz ticket, the 2024 election and several issues facing the country.
As a nurse, Wenkman also felt a powerful impact by the women who spoke on Monday night about reproductive rights.
"Keep going with the impact, like those three women that stood up to talk about choice and tell their story," she said. "Everybody in America understand the impact of policy. I think many hate politics, but politics is one thing. Policy change really impacts people's lives. You have to see it and feel it."
Like many, Wenkman was also caught in a wave when Kamala Harris made a surprise visit to the stage. She was also moved by Joe Biden’s daughter, Ashley Biden, talking about her father’s life-long work as a public servant. She also enjoyed the younger voices of the party, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The protestors outside the arena, pushing for a number of issues including an end to the Gaza War and an Israel ceasefire, effected many including Wenkman. Her bus was stopped for approximately two hours, and it took her nearly three and a half hours to find her seat on the floor after departing.
Despite being late for the convention, she was able to recognize
"One of the highlights, but also disasters of yesterday, was being stuck on the bus," Wenkman said. "But it was with all of these really young Democratic delegates for different states. Their energy, but also their knowledge was on display. They were throwing up all these live streams and everybody's gathering information. It was exciting. I wish we could clone them nine million times and get these young people that are just so energized by helping move this country forward and more progressive."
Biden's message — about a bright hope for the future — at the end of her night, actually reminded her of what she first heard during her crazy first day from Maryland Governor Wes Moore at breakfast.
"His quote was, 'If we do what we need to do in all 50 states, we can build a country that those before us dreamed of and those after us deserve.' That is exactly it. I'm 50, and it's what I dreamt of when I was 19 and 20, getting done with college, being like let's keep going. Let's make this country, better for LGBTQ+ people and let's help climate.
"Let's help women's right and 'et's keep going. I was part of NARAL in college and I was protesting for women's rights. But then I also sit in this seat now, where I'm thinking my 12-year-old deserves better than what we have brought to her. We have to keep fighting for the next people."
The energy and momentum will have to keep her going. With day two finished, her convention is only halfway done.
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