Laura Miklowitz is a shining light. With the Progressive Alliance, her light shines through her roles in organizing the Postcard Parties started by Meg Hoke (in partnership with Sissy Owen), administering the Facebook page, and serving on the leadership team. At the Hendersonville Community Co-op, during her 18 years on the board, her bright energy and creative spirit shine in the colorful walls and painted sunflowers on the tables in the Co-op’s dining area.
Many of us have heard her sing with the Atomic Sisterhood, an
a cappella group of harmonic friends (all Alliance members) who, since 1999, have been tweaking holiday tunes in celebration of the ATOM Museum, dedicated to aluminum holiday trees and seasonal kitsch. That led to a slew of environmental songs for ECO (now Mountain True) fundraisers. You may have also heard her sing at the Co-op’s Hootenanny, a fun monthly event she began over four years ago and which is open to both Co-op owners and the broader community.
What you may not know about Laura is that she also dances – in fact, in the 1970s, she danced onstage at a Grateful Dead concert after she and her friends were invited by the band to join them. She also made a television appearance during the 1980s, reuniting with her college roommate on a Sally Jesse Raphael show about friends who had lost touch.
Raised in Schenectady, New York, by parents who were active Democrats (she registered at 18 as an Independent), Laura believed that public officials sought election to enrich communities rather than fattening their own bank accounts. It wasn’t until she saw Nixon debating Kennedy on television that she realized politics had a dark side. Her first active involvement in politics took place in the aftermath of Kent State, at the end of her freshman year at the University of Bridgeport. She led the charge of protests against both Kent State and the Vietnam war, taking over the administration offices and the dining hall in the process. At the same time, she became involved with the local chapter of the Black Panthers, a group she describes as similar to Robin Hood’s men, looking out for those shunned by the system. She was a witness to a police coverup of a Black Panther member and convinced famed civil rights attorney William Kunstler to take the case.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico, she began her career in various aspects of publishing, which lasted until she retired from her position as creative director at Bold Life magazine in 2013. Her political involvement has continued throughout her adulthood, focusing both on the environment, particularly recycling and reusing, and holistic health. In 2013, she was diagnosed with two unrelated cancers, and what she assumed was middle-aged spread turned out to be a slow growing 20-pound abdominal tumor. She is now a LiveStrong coach for cancer patients and survivors, providing support and advocating for healthy treatment alternatives to chemotherapy and radiation, such as diet, exercise and positive thinking. An additional result of her cancers is reactions to smells, especially laundry, hair and perfumed products that can derail her ability to be out and about in the community. The last six months, in fact, she was MIA due to her environmental sensitivities and greatly appreciates the support of the Progressive Alliance as she has made her way back.
She moved to Hendersonville in 1984 with her husband Rick, who she has been with for 47 years, and married to for 36 years. While she has considered Hendersonville her home for years, she found a whole new community after taking the bus to Washington for the 2017 Women’s March. Yoga, spending time with women friends, organic gardening, knowing when to pull back for self-care, and her on-going involvement with the work of the Progressive Alliance help her continue to cope and persist in the current political environment.
She sums it up this way: “It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve on the Alliance leadership team. I appreciate every person who shows up for the postcard parties and the rallies. The strength and solidarity we have shown will continue to make a real difference in our world.”
If you are distressed about the hardships our local businesses are going through during the pandemic, here is a wonderful and easy way to show your support.
On Wednesday, March 11, Sam Edney, candidate for NC House District 113 spoke on his background and his campaign platform. 
