It’s Up to Us

Mar 25

At the ripe, glorious age of 74 I have lived a lifetime of being pissed off at the government. My blood has boiled on more than a thousand occasions as I witnessed the oppression of the neediest, heard the cries of those begging in doorways and bore the painful weight of human rights dissolving before my eyes.

But never in my lifetime have I witnessed the horrors or destruction of all that I have cherished in the good of America. I am exhausted.

I marched with Daniel Ellsberg and the Coalition Against the War in Vietnam back in the 1960s. The FBI had a file on both me and my husband, as we were vocal revolutionaries fighting against not just an unjust war, but fighting for women’s rights, civil rights, disability rights and transparency in government.

As part of the 17 percent of my generation who stood up and spoke out, we marched, rallied, attended sit ins, were arrested and made a huge noise, which frightened some but brought about progressive and democratic social change.

My advocacy has never stopped. The fire in my belly has never ceased, but it softened and took the form of board service for organizations like Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the ACLU-VT or serving on the Governor’s Poverty Council or Commission on Women.

Today I am working on the creation of a website for a local Indivisible Group, writing my governor asking him to address the impact of Trump’s slash-and-burn policies on Vermont, posting articles of import to my social media outlets and preparing for the next march, rally, Tesla protest, all while working on a film about “Ethan Allen—The Man & The Myth” for the 250th anniversary of our country’s independence.

I am absolutely convinced that we the people will counter and destroy the grim rot that has taken over our people’s house on Pennsylvania Avenue. But it won’t happen without all of us putting our shoulders to the wheel of freedom and facing down the fascism fomenting in the White House.

It is up to us to fight to cleanse and return our country to her rightful place in the world—one of liberties, freedoms, fairness, honesty and inclusion. I have found my second wind because until I am buried deep in the earth, my heart will always beat for love of country.

Melinda Moulton

In May of 2022, Melinda Moulton joined her husband Rick Moulton as Executive Producer of the documentary film company they both founded in 1972. Rick Moulton Productions. She was involved in environmental and socially conscious redevelopment since 1983. Melinda provided the leadership to produce a 40-year incremental redevelopment project for the Burlington Vermont Waterfront, and spearheaded 250,000 square feet and thirty million dollars of built environment on Burlington’s Waterfront. Melinda Chaired the Boards of the Burlington Parking & Transportation Council, Burlington Business Association, Vermont Retail Association, and The Intervale Center. She served on the Boards of the YMCA, Lund Family Center, Chittenden East School District, Opportunities Credit Union, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, The Orton Family Foundation, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Main Street Alliance, Vermont Health Care for All, College Steps, The Folklife Center, Audubon Vermont, and the Vermont Arts Council. She was a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. .
She presently serves on the Boards of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England's Action Fund, ACLU-Vermont, and the Williston Restorative Justice Center's Executive Council. Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Melinda to the Vermont Pathways From Poverty and The Vermont Commission on Women. Melinda served on the Advisory Councils of the Vermont Green Building Network, University of Vermont’s 2020 “Leading By Design” Sustainability Task Force, the Childhood Hunger Council of Chittenden County, and Patient Choices Vermont. She participated on the development and ultimate steering committee for the Burlington Legacy Project. She serves as a Trustee of the Community Sailing Center.
Melinda was honored by the Burlington Business Association with the Nathan Harris Award in recognition of her contribution to the economic vitality of downtown Burlington. She was also honored with the Vermont Business for Social Responsibilities Terry Ehrich Award. Melinda hosts her TV Interview Show "Moments with Melinda" on Channel 17, CCTV which is syndicated across the State of Vermont. Episodes can be seen on her web site www.melindamoulton.com.

It’s Up to Us

glad all Over to remember

Favorite Films by Decade: the 1980s