Editor, Gazette-Journal:

As a therapist and mental health advocate, I have the privilege of listening to people and helping them sort out their problems and concerns. Sometimes suddenly or sometimes over time, most folks come to realize they do have a choice and a responsibility to be their own advocate.

Unlike self-care, when you vote for a representative in the Virginia legislature, you’re voting for an advocate to take action and take care of matters on your behalf. It’s not enough for your representative to talk about your concerns—he or she also needs to be an advocate to persuade other members of the legislature to pass pieces of legislation that reflect your values and beliefs.

I want Sheila Crowley to be my advocate in the legislature. She’s well-educated, experienced, articulate, well-grounded, a highly-accomplished problem solver, kind, authentic and thoughtful. She thoroughly researches issues and then, based on facts, she develops common-sense, pr...