Yesterday, Trudy Mason, State Committeewoman, indefatigable workhorse of the Manhattan Democratic Party, feminist role model and all-around happy warrior for all things Democratic, turned sixty five. On her own birthday, just to show what kind of gal she is, Trudy was at Dave Pollak's fundraiser/wild rooftop party for the NYSDC. Here's Trudy with June O'Neill: ...and Trudy with David Paterson: I'm a big believer in two things: one, that the new and rising generation needs to engage politically with and within the Democratic Party, and two, that as we do so, it behooves us to listen to and learn from those who came before us. This being New York, where so much stays ever and always the same - public authorities, anyone? Legislative majorities? Grotesquely botched wars? - people like Trudy have been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, protested against it, and so much more. This goes both ways, by the way; Trudy has been a cheerleader for blogs in general and this blog in particular for a long time. Thanks for everything, Trudy. Happy Birthday. Best Wishes, - The Daily Gotham editorial team