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July 7, 2025 Press Democratic - Letter to the Editor
Working for change
EDITOR: I am not surprised, as many of us saw this coming. Now it’s here — and we all bear responsibility to stop dishonest and unprepared individuals from taking control. If we don’t act, we risk losing the most precious gift we share — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In a moment of reflection, I lit a candle and listened to three songs that gave me strength and clarity. Paul McCartney’s “Let It Be,” reminded me of my mentor Margarete Myer’s wisdom: “You do 25% of the work, and the Creator will do the rest.” Neil Young’s“ Light a Candle” called me to keep the faith, and Ellen Bukstel’s “By My Silence” inspired by Martin Niemöller’s “First they came for,” reminded me that silence in the face of injustice is complicity. We must speak out — for
immigrants, for women, for the truth. My son-in-law believes the problem is we don’t know each other. Let’s change that. Stand for your neighbor, for peace, for justice and for the children who are our future. We must never lose sight of that.
To those already working for change, thank you. Let’s keep moving forward — together.
ELAINE B. HOLTZ
Santa Rosa
Source: Click Here for Press Democrat webpage for LTEs  

Children Learn What They Live
by Dorothy Law Nolte

If children live with criticism,
They learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility,
They learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
They learn to be shy.
If children live with shame,
They learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement,
They learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance,
They learn to be patient.
If children live with praise,
They learn to appreciate.
If children live with acceptance,
They learn to love.
If children live with approval,
They learn to like themselves.
If children live with honesty,
They learn truthfulness.
If children live with security,
They learn to have faith in themselves and others.
If children live with friendliness,
They learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Source: https://childrenlearnwhattheylive.com/

1975 SSU Graduation Speech by Elaine B. Holtz - Transcript

Before I start my speech, I feel we should all applaud ourselves for being here. This is our graduation. It's not just us who are up here to be applauded, but we should all applaud each other and our parents, who made the long trip. I know my mother comes from Los Angeles. That sound familiar?
Graduating from Sonoma State means many things. Obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology indicates to me that I've been able to overcome a very negative part of my personality: that part that said, that I have no right to believe I could meet academic challenges and complete goals; the part that said a woman of 30 was crazy to believe she could return to college and set goals for herself; the part that said a human being has no right to do something for themselves, for their own growth and development. Well folks, here I am 35 with five years of commitment and growth behind me and I'm finally beginning to realize the rewards for believing in human potential.
Speaking in front of you means I have broken many of the chains of my past. Those chains, being ones of insecurities and fears that would forever dictate to me those irrational fears that would tell me a human being should not expose themselves, because what they are exposing might be very negative. Therefore, don't even bother to take a chance. I remember once while talking to a woman I just met who just expressed she was very glad to meet me. However, she was surprised. I was so nice since I had a reputation of having a big mouth. At first, I was extremely insulted that someone would say that about me, but after dwelling on it for a while, I had to admit I was somewhat of an outspoken individual. I was always expressing something or other and I began to feel a little proud of my reputation because far too long, women have remained silent. Students remain silent. People in general have remained silent. And I believe the time has come for everyone to start opening their big mouths wide and be heard. For after all, in the final analysis, what have we got to lose, especially when we get in touch with the fact that so much is taken away from us when we remain silent.
Another prime reason I've chosen to speak is to use myself as an example for other women who might be thinking of returning to school, who have children and are experiencing anxiety about even thinking of such a thing, or perhaps for those who have already returned after the frustrations of being away for so long. It is my belief you can do it if you just believe you have the right to do it. So many times, I wanted to quit, so many times I just couldn't take it. But now that it's over, I'm glad, because I got in touch with my strength and realize the faith of having value and having faith in yourself.
Another important strength I've developed over the past several years is the ability to ask people for help. If we only give each other a chance, you'd be amazed of all we can do for each other. Along with my own personal growth and development during these past five years as a sociology major and with the help of a very close friend, I have gotten in touch with and grown to better understand why many of us experience the world we live in as being alienating and out of our control, and why, as people we have to struggle so hard to gain any type of control over our lives. At one time, I believed that the individual was totally responsible for his or her own destiny, but that idea has changed. I realize now there are tremendous social forces that govern as well as condition human beings in a way as to control them. But I also realize it is not hopeless. Once we recognize who brings upon that social control, and if we are willing to struggle against having people control our lives and start taking a little bit control for ourselves. It is my belief that each one of us could ask, what can I do to aid in bringing about a more productive society, one where I have control in relation to what is going on and act upon whatever answer he or she comes up with.
I have this fantasy. Imagine if each one of us just took a tiny goal. And then we got together collectively. What could happen? It would just be amazing. I almost had this fantasy that instead of graduating from Sonoma State we were graduating to another type of world, a world that was free of war and oppression, and all the other things I could name.
At this point I want to thank the people who have helped me to recognize my potential as a person. A special thanks to all those women involved in the Women Studies Program here at Sonoma State, who presented me with the opportunity to express myself on other levels outside of the classroom experience. There is a tremendous power in sisterhood and being involved with women has and continues to be a very powerful experience. Being part of our program or teaching a women studies class is an experience I hope every woman out there enjoys while they're at Sonoma State.
Special thanks to all the great counselors in the counseling center here. It's been great working with you, along with knowing you're there, with all that Kleenex and all that other good stuff.
And not to miss but thank the Financial Aid Department, because I know damn well if they weren't there, I wouldn't be up here.
And also special thanks to my daughter Susan, who for the past five years has felt the frustration and anxieties of term papers, tests and elections right along with me. However, it's not over Susie. We still have several years to go, perhaps a lifetime. Who can say, since in the final analysis, education is an everyday experience?
I would like to end now by reading a quote from Eugene Debs. Why did I choose this? Because it kind of sums up a lot of my feelings about the world today. And it kind of sums up my commitment and my feelings. In case nobody knows who Debs was, he ran five times under the Socialist ticket in the elections from 1900 to 1920. In fact, in the 1920 presidential election, he ran under the name of convict number 9653. He was in jail because he gave an anti-war speech. Years ago, I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest of the Earth. I said then, and I say now that while there is a lower class I am in. It. While there is a criminal element, I am of it while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.
Thank you.

Photo Above of Elaine B. Holtz giving 1975 SSU Graduation Speech.