The Unsung Heroine of Pennsylvania's Conservative Movement

HARRISON CITY, Pennsylvania -- Eileen Cunningham is a mother of four and grandmother of three with another on the way. The wife of "Goose" Cunningham -- when you are from Hazelwood, everyone has a nickname -- possesses the unique quality of bringing people together to form communities.

How? The natural athlete coached girls' hockey, track and field, cross country and basketball at the school her children attended when no one else stepped up.

An engineer by trade, a substitute teacher by design, she also coached coed soccer and even cheerleading at the same school district.

If your child has ever participated in any type of sport, you know whether they spend more time on the bench than on the field of play. Being part of something bigger than oneself remains a valuable method that has encouraged social capital in children for centuries in our country.

In short, being part of a team and being someone who steps up in a leadership role to facilitate the ability for young people to be part of that team has meant Cunningham has had a positive influence on a generation of younger people.

The odds are high that many of the children Cunningham coached have grown up and searched out ways to replicate those aspirational qualities.

When you are someone such as Cunningham, you never really lose that desire to bring people together for a common cause, educate them and hope you have made some sort of positive impact on their lives. This uniquely American quality was first observed by French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville, who explored the idea of American exceptionalism and the aspirational qualities that formed our social structures nearly 200 years ago.

Recently, the petite former softball star was dressed in a classic black sheath dress, a soft pink jacket and cherry fuchsia flats. She sat alone at a round table, list in hand, in a room filled with grassroots volunteers from the Westmoreland County Republican Party. They were interested in learning from her about getting people registered to vote in Western Pennsylvania.

It is likely a harder job than managing two dozen 12-year-old girls getting ready for a softball tournament. However, in her talk, she managed to show the other volunteers that it need not be as intimidating. Even when you are rejected, as long as you are informed and kind, and find a commonality with the person, she believes what really matters is getting people to vote.

Cunningham is a one-woman operation. She inspires others to join her, going either door to door or setting up and manning booths at county fairs, fall festivals and maple syrup tappings. She makes a difference one person at a time, one vote at a time, one new registration at a time, without ever making a fuss about herself.

Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo, the Marine combat veteran who has worked with Cunningham for the past few years behind the scenes, says her efforts and impact are part of the backbone of why Pennsylvania voter registration dominance has shifted from Democrats to Republicans.

"Her extraordinary work ethic and steadfast dedication, along with her tireless efforts to connect with voters, has laid the groundwork for Republican success in the region," Longo said.

Cunningham shifted to the Republican Party in recent years like most conservative Pittsburgh Democrats. The further her party moved left and embraced issues that did not improve the daily lives in her community, the faster her move to the center-right happened, she said.

Her desire to be part of something bigger than herself has always driven her.

"What moves the ball is what happens on the ground," she said. "I wanted to be on the ground helping and making a difference, but doing it in a way that was conversational and educational."

Cunningham started her own one-person operation -- appropriately titled One Vote -- hopped in her car, and traveled hundreds of miles to places like this in Harrison City.

"You've got to find a way to get messages out, and you've got to find people to help you get messages out," she explained, admitting that she can't do it all herself, so she is working on building the conservative message, inspiring others to lean in and help her.

Cunningham registered 500 people between July and November last year. She also made sure they got their voter registration card and then texted them reminders to vote. If you don't think that number matters all that much, just remember that Sen. David McCormick (R-Pa.) only defeated incumbent Democrat Bob Casey by 0.2 percentage points.

"One voter matters," she says with a broad smile.

Cunningham is a difference-maker -- and not just as a mother, daughter, wife and coach. She uses her talent to inspire people in a welcoming way for the most important civic engagement we do in American life: grassroots volunteering. In an era of making a difference requiring a large social media account and flair, it is the Cunninghams of the world who do it selflessly.

She and thousands of people just like her across the country are the foundation of movements. When you look for the "beating heart" of this country, it is volunteers such as Cunningham who quietly make the biggest difference to election outcomes and shape policy decisions at all levels of government.

Salena Zito is a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. To find out more about Salena and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

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