Dear Friends,
To culminate our celebration of Black History Month, this week on the Friday Power Lunch (2/24) we will speak with four change agents whose tenacious commitment to raising awareness of the struggles of Black Americans makes our hearts rejoice at the ripple effect of their work. Join us this week!
Do something intentional for Black History Month and take the Friday Power Lunch Challenge. Here are 3 books that Finale Norton recommends: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Do the Work!: An Antiracist Activity Book, How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good
ALL IN,
Stair
PS: Did you know that at one time being a citizen was considered a political office? Watch Dr. Joe Romance 40 second explanation of why it is every citizen’s responsibility to vote in a democracy.
ALL IN,
Stair
Friday Power Lunch – Raising Consciousness – February 24, Noon
Ms. Margaret Morrison grew up in the South under Jim Crow. From the Civil Rights movement to today’s resistance, she has fought tirelessly for social justice. Ms. Margaret will share her stories of a life committed to being a force for good in the face of adversity.
Next Up: Apryll Adams and Mike DeCandido co-founded CommonBond in response to the murder of George Floyd to address what drives racism and bias against African Americans. They will talk about their work identifying different forms of racism and exploring collaborative steps that can be taken. Their motto is “We See, We Learn, We Respect, We Celebrate each other.”
Final Segment: Running for office is hard. Running for office as a woman is even harder. But running for office as a black woman adds another layer of complexity. Debra Gardner, candidate for HD76, will explain the special challenges black women candidates face and how we can help.
CALLS TO ACTION
Help Us Abolish Medical Debt in Virginia
You can have a tangible impact on the lives of families facing crushing medical debt by donating at your comfort level. Medical debt is often disastrous for the lives of individuals and families. As we engage in support of our neighbors, we find that the primary debt for most people is caused by healthcare expenses. The Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) is partnering with RIP Medical Debt to abolish medical debt. Every $100 raised relieves $10,000 in medical debt. NRC will need to raise over $19,000 by March to cancel the $3.4 million in debt that RIP Medical Debt has identified in the Richmond-Petersburg Designated Media Market Area. DONATE TODAY
VIRTUAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 from 7-9 pm
The Wisconsin Supreme Court Election – Why It Matters, and How We Can Help
Join SSPA (Silver Spring Progressive Action) and hear from Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party (and widely considered one of the country’s most effective and innovative state party chairs). You’ll learn more about what’s at stake in the April election – nationally as well as statewide – and how you can help influence the results.
Sunday, February 26, 6 – 8pm ET
What’s Next 2023-2024 & Phone Bank Into WI To Flip the Supreme Court
Join Call 4 Change and hear about their work planned for 2023 and stay to make calls into Wisconsin. This April 4 election, now between a liberal and a conservative, will hold the key to
which party controls the state Supreme Court and possibly 2024 election results in Wisconsin.
Monday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m
CLIMATE & CLEAN ENERGY WORKING GROUP MEETING
Legislative Retrospective and 2023 Primaries/General Election Preview. This will be a fabulous meeting with special guests Connor Kish, Political & Legislative Director, Virginia Sierra Club and Justin Jones, Political Director, Clean Virginia. Connor will provide an insider’s “guide” to climate & clean energy legislation during the 2023 legislative session and behind the scenes politics. Justin will give a preview into the all-important upcoming primaries and the 2023 General Assembly elections writ large.
Tuesday, February 28 (and weekly) at 6 pm
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET
Sweep Salon: Breaking Through the Misinformation Around Sex Ed
When it comes to sex and relationships education, there’s so much misinformation out there that it’s hard to know what’s actually being taught. Join Jaclyn Friedman, founder and ED of EducateUS, to learn about the National Sex Education Standards, what’s taught in each grade and why, and how you can help fight back against lies and fear by sharing this simple information with people you know.
The Rise and Implications of The Rural Voter
Dan Shea will be discussing his upcoming book The Rural Voter
Join CCAN and fellow climate activists for a virtual comment-writing party to save the
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).
Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Post-Legislative Session Briefing
Join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia as they break down all the important updates on reproductive rights from the 2023 Legislative Session and discuss what’s up next for protecting abortion access in Virginia in 2023 and beyond!
Thursday, March 2, 7 at 8:15pm EST
NOPE March 2, 2023 Kick-Off Meeting: Winning Wisconsin in ’23 and ’24!
The lead speaker will be Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, who faces a tough fight for re-election in 2024 — a must-win to preserve a Democratic Senate majority. We’ll also hear from Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, and Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of VOCES de la Frontera, a powerhouse Wisconsin grassroots group. Our focus is on Wisconsin now because it will elect a new justice to its Supreme Court on April 4. This is shaping up to be one of the most important races of 2023. Washington Post, Politico. The current court, with a 4-3 conservative majority, has made some of the most anti-democratic decisions in the country. The election gives voters a vital chance to flip the seat and create a progressive majority, with real-world impacts on redistricting, voting rights, and abortion. Our speakers will address the importance of this race to Wisconsin and to the nation both now and in the 2024 elections.
Wednesday, March 8, 7:00pm – 8:00 pm
Finding Our Voice – The Vote – CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Join the League of Women Voters for a panel discussion exploring American women’s journeys to the right to vote and the continued importance of the vote to all women’s voices today.
March 8 & Second Wednesdays each month–6:30 pm ET
Truth Brigade BIG TRUTHS: Campaign Launch to fight disinformation w Special Guests
Tuesday, March 14, 7:30-9:00 pm
The Rise of a Pro-Democracy Coalition
A conversation between Bill Kristi & Simon Rosenberg, moderated by Robert Hubbell
Banned Book Club – The Bluest Eye
Join Red, Wine and Blue for the March Meeting of Banned Book Book Club – where we will be discussing Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye with Dr. Derek Adams, Professor of English Literature at Ithaca College.
Thursday March 16, 11 am-9 pmET
Register Democrats Summit 2023
Join a movement-wide coalition focused on registering Democrats across the country. The summit brings together the best and brightest minds, from elected officials to tech leaders to grassroots organizers and so much more. Confirmed speakers include: Katie Porter (CA-47), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Brian Tyler Cohen, progressive superpodcaster, Simon Rosenberg, Founder, New Democrat Network, Santiago Mayer, Founder, Voters of Tomorrow, Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Joe Vogel, MD State Rep, Lavanna Martinez, NJ political consultant, formerly w/Run for Something, Tonya James, VA Dem Party Exec Committee Member, Mischa Smith, former CO State House candidate
Virginia Redress Network’s Monthly Meeting
Learn what progress Virginians are making on restitution and the many issues relating to racial and social justice.
Virtual Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Join 50+ grassroots groups as we review the 2023 Virginia legislative session and get ready for registering voters, selecting candidates to support and more.
IN-PERSON EVENTS
Alexandria
Saturday, February 25 from 11 am – 2 pmAnnual Black History Month Celebration
Harvest Assembly Baptist ChurchJoin the Fairfax NAACP. This year’s theme is Black Resistance – Rebuilding Black Wall Street. We will be welcomed by emcee Shirley Ginwright, Past President Fairfax County NAACP, and keynote speaker Curtis Valentine, Founder of Real Men Teach as we celebrate the accomplishments of African-Americans and enjoy a great soul food lunch!
Annandale
Sunday, February 26, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Supervisor Walkinshaw’s 2023 Campaign Kickoff
The Home of Susan & Tom Johnson
Join Katherine White and Stair Calhoun for a lunchtime meet and greet in Annandale supporting Lily Franklin for Delegate (HD-41) in Southwest Virginia. Hear from Delegates Marcus Simon, Kathy Tran, Briana Sewell and others in the 2023 General Assembly. Don’t miss this warm & welcoming lunchtime event with great folks, food, & refreshments all to support Lily!
Congressman Gerry Connolly’s 29th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Fête!
Arlington
5618 24th St. N, Arlington
Join a fundraiser in support of the re-election of Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti with Special Guest, Congressman Don Beyer and hosts: Josh and Andrea Kaplowitz, Gabriel and Dolores Rubalcava, County Board Member Matt de Ferranti, Cragg Hines, Clerk of the Circuit Court Paul Ferguson, Herschel Kanter, & Carol Fontein
June 30 – July 2, 2023
National NOW Annual Conference
Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, VA
Mark your calendars now for a weekend of feminist fun and purpose! Details, including registration and hotel information, will be coming soon.
Chantilly
Mustang Sally’s Brewing
Join the Fairfax County Democratic Committee vote for all your favorite candidates as they kick off the 2023 Fairfax County Democratic Primary Season!!! This event will be held 4-6pm at . There will be lots of candidates, fun snacks, drinks, and lots and lots of voting!
Charlottesville
Saturday, February 25 at 1:30pm EST
Coffee Chat at C’ville Coffee and Wine
1301 Harris Street, Charlottesville
Join Charlottesville NOW.
Harrisonburg
International Women’s Day March
The Harrisonburg International Women’s Day Committee’s mission is to “Uplift the value of all women who come from diverse backgrounds and identities. We celebrate the voices of women through recognizing achievements and supporting collective pursuits for justice in our communities.” Join us! Contact: iwdharrisonburg@gmail.com
Herndon
Friday, February 24, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Fundraiser for Chris Falcon, Candidate Clerk of the Fairfax Circuit Court
Please join in for an evening of dinner, drinks and music at the home of Sergio and Olga Rimola in support of Chris Falcon’s candidacy for Fairfax Clerk of Court.
Fairfax
Erika Yalowitz for State Senate Launch
Home of Maggie Godbold and Steve Bershader
Join Erika and her team as she launches her campaign for Senate and shares some of her highest priorities: to protect our children and community from the dangers of fentanyl and firearms, making sure that people in Virginia can make their own reproductive decisions, and keeping public education public and accessible to all.
Game Day with FCDC at Tina Barchik’s
Join for Fairfax Dems’ first annual, Game Day. It’s sure to be a good time with specially designed, one-of-a-kind games, game day snacks and drinks.
Sunday, March 26, noon – 2 pm, Lake Barcroft
Meet Ben Litchfield for Senate – Securing the Senate for Working Families
Join Boyd Walker, Kathie Hoekstra and Duncan Barron for lunch at Stair & Mike Calhoun’s to support Ben Litchfield’s campaign for Senate District 27. Control of the Virginia Senate is on the line in 2023 and the majority runs through Fredericksburg. Let’s get together and help Flip It Blue!
McLean
Sunday, February 26, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Nadja Golding and Friends invite you to an afternoon reception benefitting Jennifer Carroll Foy for State Senate This is always a fabulous event and Jennifer Carrol Foy and friends will add to the excitement.
Fundraiser for Steve Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Join Nadja Golding and Amy Bergner to help re-elect Steve Descano, Fairfax County’s effective and progressive prosecutor. Steve’s vision for Fairfax is based on the knowledge that safety and justice go hand in hand. His smart, data-driven reforms have made Fairfax’s justice system more fair and equal. Fairfax County is also the safest county of its size in the US, and Steve has created diversion programs and restructured the office to a victim-centric model. Steve has a primary opponent, Ed Nuttall, who has represented more than 20 police officers in police-involved shootings. RSVP and Donate here
Richmond
Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance’s Speak Out Rally
Bell Tower- 101 N 9th Street
A significant number of Virginians – 77 percent – believe that politicians should have no say in our personal health care decisions. That’s why we need to show legislators in Richmond that there’s strong support for the Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom (SJ255) to enshrine the right to abortion, bodily autonomy, and reproductive freedom into the Virginia Constitution. Join the VA Reproductive Equity Alliance to speak out against attacks on bodily autonomy and in support of reproductive freedom. We will share stories and urge legislators to support SJ255.
Thursday, February 23rd at 6:00 pm TONIGHT!
Join Delegate Kathleen Murphy at a roundtable for women veterans
Women veterans are invited to join at the Virginia War Memorial. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak directly to local elected officials about your specific needs and concerns as a woman veteran in the Commonwealth! RSVP here.
Roanoke
The Hope Center, 506 11th St NW
Join Freedom Virginia’s southwestern Virginia organizer Eddie Seay with Shmura Glenn and a representative from the Harrison Museum. They will honor Burrell Memorial Hospital; Henrietta Lacks; Dr. Finn Victor; Miriam Smith, RN; Dr. Walter Claytor and others. The celebration will include gift cards, a nice door prize, and the community is encouraged to attend!
