The first time it became clear to me that the 2016 presidential campaign was not an ordinary one was when Donald Trump remained a contender despite his antics and rhetoric. At first, he seemed comical. But my amusement quickly morphed into consternation and then fear as I realized he had become a real threat to the seasoned politicians running for this office.

As a way to keep up with the goings-on, I watched back-to-back political news programs each evening. By the time they ended and it was time for me to go to bed, my mind was racing. Then, Mr. Trump triumphed. Now, I found myself listening to news about the election on the radio and watching broadcasters analyze his every move.

At times, I felt completely hopeless and helpless. What could I do about this situation? My answer was to reach out to others and organize.