Bridget Gillespie
@bridgetgillespie.bsky.social
I am a graphic designer and investigative writer based in Charlottesville, Virginia. I served on the Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s content and communications team in 2022.
Pinned
What Broke Monticello - The American Prospect
How a right-wing smear campaign tried to silence the reality of Thomas Jefferson’s life, and in some ways succeeded.
prospect.org
Written from my perspective about the Summer I worked at Monticello.
“How a right-wing smear campaign tried to silence the reality of Thomas Jefferson’s life, and in some ways succeeded.”
prospect.org/2026/07/02/w...
“How a right-wing smear campaign tried to silence the reality of Thomas Jefferson’s life, and in some ways succeeded.”
prospect.org/2026/07/02/w...
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
www.oah.org
September 8, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Happy birthday to my old friend, Bernie Sanders.
It's an honor to have been in the fight with him for all of these years.
Bernie has more guts than any politician I know. Hell, he has more guts than just about anyone I know.
It's an honor to have been in the fight with him for all of these years.
Bernie has more guts than any politician I know. Hell, he has more guts than just about anyone I know.
September 8, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Happy birthday to my old friend, Bernie Sanders.
It's an honor to have been in the fight with him for all of these years.
Bernie has more guts than any politician I know. Hell, he has more guts than just about anyone I know.
It's an honor to have been in the fight with him for all of these years.
Bernie has more guts than any politician I know. Hell, he has more guts than just about anyone I know.
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
A woman was rescued on Saturday from a mostly buried house in Betrawati, Nepal, 10 days after flooding devastated the area. Her recovery was the second improbable rescue of the day. trib.al/W4ihQgE
September 6, 2026 at 1:46 PM
A woman was rescued on Saturday from a mostly buried house in Betrawati, Nepal, 10 days after flooding devastated the area. Her recovery was the second improbable rescue of the day. trib.al/W4ihQgE
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
OK I'm officially infuriated by this, because for literally a decade I've been screaming about vacancies on the Postal Service Board of Governors, and what could be done with those seats.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/u...
Trump Has Quietly Sought Control Over Postal Service to Transform U.S. Elections
That effort got new attention on Monday, when the Supreme Court allowed preparations for mail voting curbs to proceed. The justices said it is not a final determination on the order’s legality.
www.nytimes.com
August 25, 2026 at 9:51 PM
OK I'm officially infuriated by this, because for literally a decade I've been screaming about vacancies on the Postal Service Board of Governors, and what could be done with those seats.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/u...
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Dolly Parton truly was a diamond in a rhinestone world.
May she rest in peace.
May she rest in peace.
August 25, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Dolly Parton truly was a diamond in a rhinestone world.
May she rest in peace.
May she rest in peace.
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
🤣
Chucky Picks on the Wrong Woman in Philly. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/20/u...
A Man in a Chucky-Style Mask Was Scaring Philadelphians. Then He Picked the Wrong Woman. (Gift Article)
When Jameka Wilson encountered a man wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask, her stage combat training kicked in. Now she’s a minor local celebrity.
www.nytimes.com
August 21, 2026 at 1:17 PM
🤣
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
When did it become normalized for the President of the United States to threaten to "bomb the shit out of" our allies—our *allies*—without that immediately leading to a serious conversation about whether he's mentally fit to serve as president
August 18, 2026 at 1:27 AM
When did it become normalized for the President of the United States to threaten to "bomb the shit out of" our allies—our *allies*—without that immediately leading to a serious conversation about whether he's mentally fit to serve as president
There is a question the media should be asking itself after Jason Arday’s death: Why did the public need to know any of this before Cambridge had finished investigating it?
An investigation asks what happened. A media spectacle asks millions to judge before anyone knows.
Those aren’t the same.
An investigation asks what happened. A media spectacle asks millions to judge before anyone knows.
Those aren’t the same.
August 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
There is a question the media should be asking itself after Jason Arday’s death: Why did the public need to know any of this before Cambridge had finished investigating it?
An investigation asks what happened. A media spectacle asks millions to judge before anyone knows.
Those aren’t the same.
An investigation asks what happened. A media spectacle asks millions to judge before anyone knows.
Those aren’t the same.
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
From this review-
“Think of all the diligent, decent black academics who have been lumbered with the embarrassment of having Arday as a figurehead” - no, think of *why* black academics are held collectively responsible in ways that white academics are not
“Think of all the diligent, decent black academics who have been lumbered with the embarrassment of having Arday as a figurehead” - no, think of *why* black academics are held collectively responsible in ways that white academics are not
I think functionally all of the post-resignation coverage that was about him rather than Cambridge was excessive (e.g. this poisonous review of a book nobody is going to buy - why)
Jason Arday’s memoir is mawkish, self-aggrandising and hard to believe
The embattled former Cambridge professor’s autobiography, Great and Unfortunate Things, feels precision-tooled to flatter the biases of the sappiest white liberals
www.thetimes.com
August 15, 2026 at 10:21 AM
From this review-
“Think of all the diligent, decent black academics who have been lumbered with the embarrassment of having Arday as a figurehead” - no, think of *why* black academics are held collectively responsible in ways that white academics are not
“Think of all the diligent, decent black academics who have been lumbered with the embarrassment of having Arday as a figurehead” - no, think of *why* black academics are held collectively responsible in ways that white academics are not
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
According to victims, the leaders of this church told children that once they had forgiven their abuser, speaking about it again would mean having an unforgiving heart.
The burden of sin would fall on them — for not letting the matter rest.
🎧 Listen to the full episode:
The burden of sin would fall on them — for not letting the matter rest.
🎧 Listen to the full episode:
How “Forgive and Forget” Buried a Church’s Dark Secret
Podcast Episode · Paper Trail · August 6 · 46m
podcasts.apple.com
August 13, 2026 at 11:50 PM
According to victims, the leaders of this church told children that once they had forgiven their abuser, speaking about it again would mean having an unforgiving heart.
The burden of sin would fall on them — for not letting the matter rest.
🎧 Listen to the full episode:
The burden of sin would fall on them — for not letting the matter rest.
🎧 Listen to the full episode:
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Don't just teach your children to read ...
Teach them to question what they read.
Teach them to question everything.
~ George Carlin
Teach them to question what they read.
Teach them to question everything.
~ George Carlin
August 12, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Don't just teach your children to read ...
Teach them to question what they read.
Teach them to question everything.
~ George Carlin
Teach them to question what they read.
Teach them to question everything.
~ George Carlin
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Incredible that the center-left habitually chides progressives for forgetting the "ancient wisdom" of politics and then watches as they're beaten by the most basic organizing: campaigning in public, finding volunteers, canvassing.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/u...
The Campaign Tactics Helping Progressives Win Primaries Ahead of the 2026 Midterms
Progressives are being outspent and are receiving little support from the Democratic Party. Their tactics show a different way to succeed.
www.nytimes.com
August 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Incredible that the center-left habitually chides progressives for forgetting the "ancient wisdom" of politics and then watches as they're beaten by the most basic organizing: campaigning in public, finding volunteers, canvassing.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/u...
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
I feel fancy.
warrencenter.fas.harvard.edu/people/karen...
warrencenter.fas.harvard.edu/people/karen...
warrencenter.fas.harvard.edu
August 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
I feel fancy.
warrencenter.fas.harvard.edu/people/karen...
warrencenter.fas.harvard.edu/people/karen...
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
While everyone was asleep, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50–49 vote.
August 8, 2026 at 11:15 AM
While everyone was asleep, the Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a 50–49 vote.
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
WASHINGTON (AP) — Abdul El-Sayed wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan.
August 5, 2026 at 1:55 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) — Abdul El-Sayed wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan.
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
NEW: Elvis Brooks was exonerated after 42 years in prison. Civil rights attorneys called his case an egregious example of a wrongful conviction.
But the Louisiana Attorney General maintains he is guilty — and thus doesn’t qualify for any compensation from the state.
with @veritenews.org
But the Louisiana Attorney General maintains he is guilty — and thus doesn’t qualify for any compensation from the state.
with @veritenews.org
He’s Eligible for Up to $480,000 After Being Wrongly Imprisoned for 42 Years. The State Says No.
Elvis Brooks’ case was an egregious example of a wrongful conviction, civil rights attorneys said. But Louisiana’s attorney general maintains that Brooks and other exonerees are guilty — and therefore...
www.propublica.org
August 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
NEW: Elvis Brooks was exonerated after 42 years in prison. Civil rights attorneys called his case an egregious example of a wrongful conviction.
But the Louisiana Attorney General maintains he is guilty — and thus doesn’t qualify for any compensation from the state.
with @veritenews.org
But the Louisiana Attorney General maintains he is guilty — and thus doesn’t qualify for any compensation from the state.
with @veritenews.org
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Titled "Lake with Cypress" and was created by French artist
Camille Bombois (1883-1970).
Camille Bombois (1883-1970).
August 7, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Titled "Lake with Cypress" and was created by French artist
Camille Bombois (1883-1970).
Camille Bombois (1883-1970).
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
One multiuse product can often clean your face, your body, and your hair — and it can often work as well as three separate products. nyti.ms/4wqff7P
I’m a Beauty Writer. And a Snob. But I Don’t Hate a 3-in-1 Shower Product.
nyti.ms
August 4, 2026 at 5:48 PM
One multiuse product can often clean your face, your body, and your hair — and it can often work as well as three separate products. nyti.ms/4wqff7P
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Frances Perkins was the patron saint of American workers and an inspiration for me during my time as labor secretary.
She was the guiding light behind the creation of Social Security, the 40-hour workweek, the National Labor Relations Act, and much more.
She was the guiding light behind the creation of Social Security, the 40-hour workweek, the National Labor Relations Act, and much more.
August 4, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Frances Perkins was the patron saint of American workers and an inspiration for me during my time as labor secretary.
She was the guiding light behind the creation of Social Security, the 40-hour workweek, the National Labor Relations Act, and much more.
She was the guiding light behind the creation of Social Security, the 40-hour workweek, the National Labor Relations Act, and much more.
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
The biggest cost Trump is imposing on us is the cost of doing nothing about three worsening crises that threaten the very survival of America and the world: climate change, AI, and widening inequality.
The Biggest Cost of Trump
It goes far beyond guns vs. butter
robertreich.substack.com
August 4, 2026 at 3:07 PM
The biggest cost Trump is imposing on us is the cost of doing nothing about three worsening crises that threaten the very survival of America and the world: climate change, AI, and widening inequality.
One month after I published “What Broke Monticello” in @prospect.org, M. Gessen described the same institutional fracture from the visitor’s side: a tour bearing “the signs of numerous edits,” ending in “facts half known and truths half said.”
prospect.org/2026/07/02/w...
prospect.org/2026/07/02/w...
August 4, 2026 at 1:48 PM
One month after I published “What Broke Monticello” in @prospect.org, M. Gessen described the same institutional fracture from the visitor’s side: a tour bearing “the signs of numerous edits,” ending in “facts half known and truths half said.”
prospect.org/2026/07/02/w...
prospect.org/2026/07/02/w...
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
If not for Perkins, Social Security, as Americans understand the program today, would not have been created. prospect.org?p=142008
August 4, 2026 at 9:50 AM
If not for Perkins, Social Security, as Americans understand the program today, would not have been created. prospect.org?p=142008
Reposted by Bridget Gillespie
Macro photography by explore with Dara. Incredible
August 2, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Macro photography by explore with Dara. Incredible