Essential Estrogen

No one is for sure if the Clinton presidential campaign's announcement of former Vilsack staffer Dusky Terry joining her staff had an impact on Dr. Maya Angelou's public endorsement. Of course, as Iowans we like to think it does.

Angelou's endorsement was made public last week at a "fundraiser hosted by women of color," according to the campaign. In the video, Angelou speaks about her fondness for Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Angelou is -- without a doubt -- one of the greatest voices of contemporary literature. Throughout her life, she has filled many roles including poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producers and director. She is know for the autobiographical writings, I know Why the Caged Bird Sings and All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes. Her volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Die was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. She has also read her poem On the Pulse of Morning during Bill Clinton's 1993 presidential inauguration. It was only the second time in history a poet had been asked to read at an inauguration.

Clinton viewed the video for the first time at the fundraiser where more than 300 women had gathered. The star-struck event also included Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio, and Nydia Velasquez of New York, and Grace Napolitano of California. The audience heard from several other Clinton supporters including actress and foster care advocate Victoria Rowell and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.

At roughly that same time, Iowa officials for the campaign were making the announcement that Terry had been named a senior adviser to Clinton's Iowa effort. He is expected to advise the campaign on political organizing, outreach and policy.

"I am honored to be joining Senator Clinton's Iowa campaign," Terry said in a prepared statement. "She shares the values of Iowa Democrats and is committed to earning their support."

Clinton's Iowa State Director, Teresa Vilmain added, "I am thrilled to add Dusky Terry to our team. He brings strong leadership and experience working in Iowa politics."

A lifelong Iowan, Dusky Terry has worked in Iowa politics for the past nine years. Terry joined Vilsack's gubernatorial campaign in January of 1998 during Vilsack's successful bid to become Iowa's first Democratic Governor in over 30 years. Terry then served in the Governor's office as a policy adviser and subsequently policy director overseeing Vilsack's policy and legislative agenda. Terry unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for secretary of agriculture in 2006 before he joined Heartland PAC Iowa in July of 2006. Most recently, he served as the State Director for the Tom Vilsack for President campaign in Iowa.