Elisabeth Lina Stewart

 I barely remember the town in which I was born. It is a little village by the name of Adami, found in the province of Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy. At the early age of three my family and I left Italy on a journey to America, hoping for a better way of living. It was May of 1967. Twelve long years passed by before we could scrape enough money to return to our native region. Until I saw Calabria, I was not sure of what to expect, my childhood memories being so vague. My mother told me how beautiful it was. I imagined her words and how it would be, for twenty-three hours of tedious and uncomfortable travel…. ten by plane, ten by train (cramped between suitcases) and the last hour by cab from Catanzaro’s train station. Tired and dreamlike, but still anxious to look around. I can recall arriving late at night to my grandmother’s house. She was so happy to see us. My mother was exultant with joy at seeing her mother after twelve years. Tears of the most joyous moments flowed down their f...

 The Evolution of Love: Can We Restore Its True Meaning? Love—once a word adorned with sincerity and depth—has weathered the passing of time, transforming into something unrecognizable to many. As society moves forward, so do the meanings of words and emotions. Some evolve beautifully, while others lose their essence. Has love suffered the same fate? The Beauty of True Love True love is more than fleeting emotions or surface-level admiration. It is the glow of light that emanates from one soul to another—the unspoken understanding, the unwavering trust, the ability to share the deepest thoughts without fear. It is honesty, devotion, and the unbreakable connection between two beings who choose to unite as one. In its purest form, love is timeless. It transcends challenges, stretches beyond fleeting distractions, and becomes an everlasting force that nurtures growth and companionship. Yet, in today's world, love often appears distorted—buried beneath self-interest, dishonesty...

In the founding vision of America, sovereignty belonged to the people. Taxation was tethered to representation, and representation to dignity. Today, that covenant is broken. The American people are taxed, but their voices are drowned out by lobbyists, corporations, billionaires running corporations, and political machinery that no longer answers to them. The Safety Net Is Being Cut—Thread by Thread Recent federal proposals have targeted Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and housing assistance , shifting costs to states and limiting eligibility. Work requirements and funding caps threaten to strip millions of Americans of healthcare, food, and shelter. These are not abstract budget lines—they are lifelines. And they are being severed. Meanwhile, Social Security and Medicare are framed as “runaway entitlements” , despite being funded by the very paychecks of working Americans. The message is clear: the people pay, but they do not decide.  Wealth Concentration: A Nation Hollowed Out A...

  I came to this country in the late 1960s—legal, proud, and full of hope. My family, like so many before us, crossed oceans with calloused hands and quiet dignity. We carried documents, not demands. We followed the law, not loopholes. And we believed in the promise etched at Liberty’s feet: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” That inscription wasn’t just poetry. It was a covenant. A moral compass. A welcome. We didn’t ask for ease; we asked for opportunity. And America, in its imperfect but noble way, opened the door. But today, I look at her cracked and weathered, and I ask: What happened to the United States I believed in? What happened to the dignity of legal immigration? To compassion, to truth, to the balance between mercy and order? From Noble Welcome to Fragmented Policy: A Brief History of U.S. Immigration Law For much of the 20th century, immigration to the United States was shaped by a mix of national origin quotas, h...

Born in a small mountain village in Southern Italy, Elisabeth Stewart’s journey has been one of resilience, ambition, and transformation. Raised in Chicago, she was selected as one of only 100 students across the city to become a member of The Chicago Press Club, a prestigious opportunity housed in the Wrigley Building’s lower level. While pursuing her associate’s degree in liberal arts, tragedy struck, altering her path and ultimately leading her to Alabama. Despite life’s unexpected challenges, Elisabeth continued her pursuit of excellence, managing the dining room of her family’s Italian restaurant in Alabama while persevering through her studies. Her commitment to growth and opportunity propelled her into the world of marketing, where she built a career at major corporations such as Motorola and GE. Her work extended beyond traditional marketing, as she became part of NASA’s Office of Strategic Analysis and Communications (OSAC), shaping initiatives that connected innovation, messa...

Dear Elected Representatives, Throughout history, great empires have risen to glory only to crumble under the weight of corruption, complacency, and disregard for the principles that made them strong. America stands at a crossroads, where the erosion of ethics, integrity, and compassion threatens to weaken the very foundation upon which this nation was built. We, the people, are watching. We see the cracks forming in democracy—where justice is circumvented, where fundamental rights like Habeas Corpus are treated as tools of convenience rather than constitutional guarantees. We witness the unraveling of moral responsibility, where public trust is shattered by actions that prioritize power over principle. A government that alienates its allies, suppresses its own citizens, and disregards accountability will not stand the test of time. If history has shown us anything, it is that complacency and corruption lead to downfall. The American people demand leadership that reflects the hi...

Ah, the age-old questions that make you wonder what direction humanity is heading in. Ethics, integrity, and compassion should be the foundations of any society, but sometimes, they take a backseat in the face of greed, power struggles, and self-interest. Some might argue that social, political, and economic pressures have made people more divided than ever. Others would say that technology and global connectivity have increased awareness and compassion in many ways—though not always with immediate results. Regardless, it is easy to feel frustrated by what seems like a decline in moral responsibility. Yet, despite these challenges, there are still people fighting for fairness, justice, and kindness. The Erosion of America’s Foundational Ideals America has long been associated with ideals of freedom, opportunity, and inclusivity—values reflected in symbols like the Statue of Liberty. The inscription from Emma Lazarus’s poem paints a picture of a nation ready to welcome those in ne...