Each of us has a journey and an experience that leads us to this place. Mine started in 2016 when I threw my hat into the political arena. It started with the Texas State Republican Party Convention where my organization, Texans For Vaccine Choice, attended to share our informed consent message. With a great reception and flying high off the energy from the warm welcome from the Texas State Republican Convention, I naively jumped into the State Democrat Party Convention, believing a fraction of the welcome would make my time worth it.

What a surprise it was.

A disheartening and shocking surprise. The party of compassion and progress was filled with vitriol and hate. Grown men in my face screaming at me that my daughter's life was WORTH their greater good. They actually said that. They called me stupid — a baby killer. They argued that mothers were too incompetent to raise their own children, that homeschool should be outlawed, and reliance on the government was our only option. "Make the broken systems better!" they screamed. What an empowering message it was.

The threats were so intense the police were forced to stand guard at our booth and escort us to our cars. All because a few mothers decided to show up and have a discussion they didn't like. It was a shocking and disgusting display of hypocrisy as young women stormed the convention hall with coat hangers and profanity-laced, vulgar displays of promo material not suitable for social media.

Today, I voted. I voted for FREEDOM and LIBERTY.

I voted as a woman and as a mother. Specifically, I voted as a single mother of three. This includes one child who has special needs. Every single one of my children has hope for their future despite what some of the loud voices of opposition in our culture tell you. I voted FOR my children. For their country, for their future. I voted for their prosperity and their opportunity.

I rejected the lies that they have been told. I voted against the victim mentality. I voted against a new normal and dark winter. I voted against censorship. I voted against the overreach of government into our homes. I voted against raising a generation of entitled, uneducated young people who have been taught to hate God and Country.

And whatever happens on Tuesday, November 3rd, my commitment remains. To raise compassionate, empowered young adults who can see past the media sensationalism created to divide them. To teach them, they don't get the luxury of standing by; they must be the change of the world. I will fight for our families and against corruption and the industry that seeks to destroy the soul of America. The election will pass, the narratives will change, but our focus on our future must remain.

Jackie Schlegel is the Founder and Executive Director for the political action committee and educational organization known as Texans for Vaccine Choice based in Keller, Texas. Texans for Vaccine Choice is a political action committee and educational organization whose main focus is to protect and advance informed consent, medical privacy, and vaccine choice.