Owning Your Voice: Insights from VEST Founding Member Kathy Taylor

We live in a time of extreme polarization. Speaking up, whether about policies, politics or social issues, often comes at a cost. People have lost friendships and jobs and even faced financial and legal consequences. In response, too many have chosen to remain silent.

Silence Is Not A Solution, It's Surrender.

I hear it all the time: people withdrawing from civic life, disengaging from discussions and avoiding the responsibility of informed citizenship. Why? Many say they are overwhelmed by misinformation, exhausted by toxic discourse and disillusioned by a government they no longer trust. A 2023 Pew Research study found that only 20% of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right, a historic low.

Disengagement is dangerous. Too many Americans fail to exercise their most fundamental right, their right to vote. In 2024, 89 million eligible voters chose not to cast a ballot.

Many citizens don’t know how to register to vote, contact representatives or participate in local government. A 2022 survey showed that only 47% of Americans could name the three branches of government. Many people believe that posting online is enough, without taking any real-world action. Worse still, in a 2024 Harvard Kennedy poll, only 9% of young Americans said the country was headed in the right direction. This trend cannot continue. We must choose action over apathy.

The Solution: Speak up, Stay Informed and Stay Engaged.

Speak up. Your voice matters. Raise your ideas in conversations, public forums and community meetings. You don’t need to shout. Just speak with conviction. When you speak up, you encourage others to do the same. Silence enables the loudest, most extreme voices to dominate. Change starts when people speak up.

Stay informed. Information is power. In today’s world, misinformation spreads faster than trust. Social media algorithms amplify falsehoods and bias. Check facts before you share. Know the difference between reliable and unreliable sources. Use credible sources like Snopes, Factcheck.org and nonpartisan news outlets, like the Tulsa World. The day of trusting a sole source is over. Be a critical consumer of information.

Stay Engaged. Our democracy depends on participation. Engagement does not stop with voting. Attend town halls, join neighborhood associations and advocate for causes you believe in. Get involved in school boards, community projects and public debates. If you don’t try to shape your world, someone else will shape it for you.

Why It Matters

You influence change: Governments respond to engaged citizens. If you stay silent, others will shape policies for you.

You hold leaders accountable: Without oversight, corruption thrives. Your engagement can help keep leaders in check.

You protect your rights: Apathy allows freedom to erode. Stay engaged or you risk losing what others fought to secure.

You strengthen communities: A connected, engaged society is a resilient one. Civic participation builds stronger, more united communities. You can help create more resilient and connected communities.

You shape the future: Today’s policies on education, health care and infrastructure will impact generations to come. Your engagement ensures that these decisions are informed by your values.

You inspire others: Engagement is contagious. When you stay engaged, you encourage others to do the same. When you speak up, stay informed and stay engaged, you help build a society that reflects your values and aspirations.

Small Actions, Big Impact

A friend of mine found a powerful but simple way to promote engagement. He printed cards listing contact information for federal, state and local elected representatives. Whenever someone shares a concern about an issue, he hands them a card and urges them to reach out. It’s a small act but one that empowers people to make their voices heard. We all have the power to make a difference.

Speak up, stay informed and stay engaged. If you don’t, others will shape your future.

If you are ready to take your career to the next level, apply to join our community of women eager to help you get there and stay there. Learn more at: www.VESTHer.co/membership

About the Author

Kathy Taylor is a VEST Founding Member and a civic and business leader whose career spans law, corporate leadership, public service, and higher education. She has served as Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Commerce, Tourism and Workforce, and Dean of the Collins College of Business at the University of Tulsa, while also holding board roles with companies including Sonic Corporation, National Car Rental, and Dollar Car Rental. A longtime advocate for gender equity, Kathy co-founded Impact Tulsa to improve education outcomes, and, with her husband, established the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation to strengthen community initiatives. She now continues her commitment to connection and community through Anybody’s Guest, a Route 66 retail venture designed to foster authentic relationships and local engagement.

This article was published in the Tulsa World on March 23, 2025. Kathy Taylor is a VEST Founding Member and serves as a member of the Tulsa World Community Advisory Board.