Erma Kyser, a Sacramento City school counselor, is bringing the same spirit she has used in battling cancer to the No on Prop. 38 campaign.
Using cell phones to make voter calls (from top left) are Erma Kyser, Liz Greenlee, Joy Garcia and SCTA President Tom Rogers.
Although cancer has kept her from the front lines, she is making a major contribution to the campaign from the comfort of her living room.
In between chemotherapy treatments for multiple myeloma - a cancer of the body's blood-forming and immune systems - Kyser is hosting phone banks in her home to fight the vouchers initiative on the November ballot.
"I've been missing many of the Association things I've done, and I've been missing the people. This will give me a chance to keep my hands in things and keep my mind busy," Kyser said before her first open house for some 15 Sacramento City Teachers Association members.
Since her cancer diagnosis in April, Kyser has had to focus on her illness and her recuperation. As a result, she missed out on the NEA Representative Assembly in Chicago and other activities.
"It's been an uphill battle, but I've discovered so many family members and friends who have all played a special part in my recovery. In some ways, this is my way of saying thank you. This is my little bit to stop vouchers from passing," Kyser says.
Kyser is resolute in her opposition to vouchers.
"They take away from kids. The majority of children will suffer," she says. "It's not right and it's not equitable. We need to use the increase in state funding to improve our schools," not squander it on a new bureaucracy.
Dale Martin
