Speakers & Performers
Speakers
(last updated 6/27/2019)
Natalie Baumeister
Justice Girl Up, Justice High School | nataliebaumeister10@gmail.com
Ms. Baumeister recently graduated from Justice High School, where she was President of Justice Girl Up. She brought menstrual products into her school’s bathrooms and advocated for menstrual equity on Capitol Hill. She will attend the University of Virginia in the Fall.
Menstrual Equity: Practical Action to Public Policy
Congressman Don Beyer
US House of Representatives, CD8 | don@friendsofdonbeyer.com
Congressman Don Beyer represents Virginia’s 8thCongressional district and serves on the House Ways & Means Committee. Beyer was President Obama’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, 2009-2013. He also served as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, 1990 -1998.
BADASS Breakfast:
Samantha Biggio
Managing Partner, Antrim Grace Solutions
sam@antrimgrace.com
Sam has spent her career working for nonprofits like AmeriCorps, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Southern Environmental Law Center, among others. Sam holds a JD from the University of Richmond and a BA from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Where Technology and Politics Intersect
Star Bobatoon
Star Bobatoon is an accomplished attorney, award-winning speaker, master story-teller, and presentation coach. Using her diverse background, Star empowers her clients to use their stories, experiences, and expertise to build credibility and connection.
What’s Your Story? Using Your Story to Increase Your Impact:
Rebecca H. Borton, CFP®
Associate Client Advisor, Concentric Private Wealth| rborton@concentricpw.com
Rebecca Borton helps badass progressive women align their financial behaviors with their values so they can be the change they wish to see in the world.
Your Money, Your Power
Luisa Boyarski
Luisa Boyarski, PhD is the Associate Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Public & Nonprofit Leadership. She develops the Center’s executive education programs and leads its research. She also facilitates the Virginia Grassroots Coalition.
Sustaining the Resistance Movement – Developing Priorities and Strategies:
Senator Jennifer Boysko
Senator, Virginia General Assembly, 33rd District | district33@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Boysko currently serves as a member of the Transportation Committee, the Rehabilitation & Social Services Committee, and the General Laws & Technology Committee. Senator Boysko also serves on the Substance Abuse Services Council and on the Board of Trustees of the Frontier Culture Museum. In 2019 Boysko, passed a bill that lowered the tax on menstrual supplies and diapers to 1.5%. She is committed to continuing the fight for menstrual equity.
Menstrual Equity: Practical Action to Public Policy
Paid Family and Medical Leave: What it is and Why We Need It
Marlee Breakstone
Domestic Outreach Association, Catholics for Choice | mbreakstone@catholicsforchoice.org
Marlee Breakstone promotes and strengthens prochoice Catholic advocacy on the local, state and national level, focusing on outreach, recruitment, and engagement of grassroots activists. Emphasizing CFC’s voice as the leading expert on progressive Catholicism and reproductive health and rights, Ms. Breakstone builds and sustains relationships with and offers educational resources to progressive prochoice Catholic individuals and groups throughout the United States.
ProChoice and Proud! Session 2
Evelyn BruMar
PWCDC Brentsville Chairwoman | evelynibrumar@outlook.com
BruMar is a Latinx Lesbian who moved into Prince William County 6 years ago. Recognizing that her elected officials were “homophobic racists,” she helped flip every House of Delegates seat in her district. BruMar got LGBTQ Pride Month passed in PWC, and helped with the 060 non-discrimination policy to protect LGBTQ staff and students.
Passing LGBTQ affirming policy in our schools
Larry Buc
Larry Buc fundraises and trains others to fundraise for progressive candidates. His training enables candidates to spend more time canvassing and less dialing for dollars. Buc’s work also helps to send out happy canvassers with water and snacks.
Fundraising Where Nobody Says “No” – The power of peer-to-peer email fundraising
Leslie Danks Burke
President and Founder, Trailblazers PAC
info@trailblazerspac.com
Leslie Danks Burke is a lawyer, public advocate, former candidate, and founder of the national, nonpartisan Trailblazers PAC, which revolutionizes politics by challenging leaders of any party to act better than our broken money in politics system.
Front Porch Politics: Campaign Model
Front Porch Politics: Grassroots Fundraising 101:
Susan L. Burke
Dina Butcher, 78, her band of non-partisan Bad Ass Grandmas, and 54% of voters, passed a constitutional ethics measure. Butcher, a grandmother of 5 and a private investigator was previously an appointee in several Republican administrations.
BADASS Breakfast:
Dina Butcher
BadAss Grandma, North Dakotans for Public Integrity | dina.wtba@midconetwork.com
Dina Butcher, 78, her band of non-partisan B.A.Gs and 54% of voters, passed a constitutional ethics measure. Butcher, grandmother of 5, a private investigator was previously an appointee in several Republican administrations.
Virginians for Fair Redistricting “Taking Back Our Voice”:
BADASS Breakfast
Theresa Caldwell
Chair, Petersburg Wellness Consortium | contactcaldwell@gmail.com
Theresa Caldwell is Chair of the Petersburg, VA, Wellness Consortium. She also leads workshops on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with the Petersburg Health Department/Crater Health District (VA Department of Health), and Integration Solutions. She is a Certified Trauma Professional, Certified Listening Professional, Certified Group Fitness Instructor and volunteer member of the Richmond region’s Fitness Warriors program run by Sports Backers.
Listening: The Activist’s Superpower:
Stair Calhoun
Morning Speaker:
Brian Cannon
Executive Director, OneVirginia2021 | brian.cannon@onevirginia2021.org
Brian Cannon became the Executive Director of OneVirginia2021 in 2015. He brings over a decade of experience in non-profit leadership, community building, fundraising, and bipartisan advocacy for state policy issues.
Virginians for Fair Redistricting. Taking Back Our Voice
Lydia Kearney Carlis, PhD
Principal Photographer, C-Suite Pics®. | Lydia@csuitepics.com
Up-Leveling Your Personal, Campaign, and Organization’s Branding:
Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS
Executive Director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice | scampbell@networklobby.org
Sister Simone Campbell is the Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and leader of Nuns on the Bus. She has led six cross-country tours to mend the gaps in income and wealth inequality.
The Shocking Truth of Income Inequality:
Karen Campblin
Co-Chair, Green New Deal VA / VSC NAACP | ecjva2018naacp@gmail.com
Karen Campblin is the Co-chair for the Green New Deal, VA. Karen provides resources and support to local communities to address environmental injustices, promote efforts to improve quality of life, and advocate for transformative changes.
Intersectional Justice: Bringing Economic, Environmental, & Social Justice through the Green New Deal:
Robert Campeau
Account Manager, Crowdpac | Robert@crowdpac.com
Robert is a veteran campaign staffer and political operative with years of experience working with candidates and causes to raise money and bring about change in their communities, both here in Virginia and across the country.
Grassroots fundraising 102: How to host a successful fundraising event:
Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy
ERA Call to Action!
Paid Family and Medical Leave: What it is and Why We Need It
Niambi Carter, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Howard University | Niambi.Carter@Howard.edu
Dr. Carter is a faculty member in the Department of Political Science where she studies race and ethnic politics in the US. Her book American While Black: African Americans, Immigration, and the Limits of Citizenship is forthcoming.
A Conversation about Racism in Everyday Life Workshop:
Frank Cervarich
Regional Organizing Coordinator, Swing Left | fcervarich@swingleft.org
Frank Cervarich is the Regional Organizing Coordinator with Swing Left for the DMV. He has served in this position since 2018. He is excited to flip the state houses in Virginia this Fall!
Taking Back Power:
BADASS Breakfast:
Ellen Chaffee
BadAss Grandma, North Dakotans for Public Integrity | ellen.chaffee@gmail.com
North Dakotans passed an initiated Constitutional measure for seven transparency and accountability policies, despite national corporate opposition. “BadAss Grandma,” Dr. Chaffee (university president, governance consultant), helped lead the Article XIV miracle.
Virginians for Fair Redistricting “Taking Back Our Voice”: Sat., June 29th at TBA
Victoria R. Clark
Managing Attorney, Clark Law, PLLC
vrclark@clarklawdc.com
Victoria R. Clark, Esq., is a DC-based attorney who advises clients on how to avoid legal issues. She helps clients navigate investigations and litigation, especially those caused by ethical or criminal misconduct.
Don’t Let This Be You: How to Avoid Career-Ending Ethical Mistakes:
Erica Reynolds Clayton
Founder, Postcards & Politics and Founder, TEAM TRAN | ericareynoldsclayton@gmail.com
Reynolds Clayton holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition, specializing in US politics. Her work includes: ERA lobbying, community organizing, facilitating 10,000 postcards for the 2018 midterms, and promoting Delegate Kathy Tran’s re-election bid.
Presenter, Meet the 2019 House of Delegates & Senate Candidates:
Josh Cole
Rev. Joshua G. Cole is a community activist, advocate, President of the Stafford County NAACP, and a host of other local endeavors. He is the Democratic Candidate for the 28th House District.
Fundraising Where Nobody Says “No” – The power of peer-to-peer email fundraising :
Nightvid Cole
Nightvid Cole has helped write articles for NYRA on young people’s rights in schools, and on youth rights in general. He believes that a just society should not limit civil rights to adults.
Liberating Our Youth:
Becky Stuart Conner
LWCC: Liberal Women of Chesterfield County & Beyond |WCC.beckyc@gmail.com
Becky is the Leadership Coordinator of LWCC, working with leaders of small groups to keep things organized, develop projects, and move toward the goal of getting Democrats elected in Chesterfield County and beyond.
Grassroots Activism Speed Dating with LWCC:
Brian Conner
President, National Youth Rights Association
bconner@youthrights.org
Brian Conner is the current President of the National Youth Rights Association. He has led workshops on youth rights and given two TEDx talks: one on education reform and another on youth rights.
Liberating Our Youth:
Joyce Connery
Board Member of the Defense Nuclear Facility Safety Board
Joy@conneryshaw.com
Joyce Connery is a nuclear policy expert with extensive foreign policy experience, three tours at the National Security Council, and a Peace Corps stint. She’s a gender champion in her field and works on bipartisan policy dialogue across subject matters.
Leading in Your Community:
After the 2016 election, Tara joined LWCC because she wanted to be more involved and in 2017 became one of the leads for the Environmental Advocacy Group. They have been active in fighting against the MVP and ACP Pipelines and recently drove a large support campaign for the Coal Ash clean-up bill passed this year.
Grassroots Activism Speed Dating with LWCC:
Ralph H. Craft
Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) |Ralph.Craft42@gmail.com
PhD Rutgers, political science; Peace Corps, Ecuador; transportation researcher and lobbyist; 15 years canvassing – doing and teaching – for VA Federal, State, local candidates; Fairfax Dems 2008 Volunteer of the Year for canvassing.
Canvassing: Best way to reach Voters:
Andrea Cubelo-McKay
Founder, Embark Center for Self-Directed Education
andrea@embarkcenter.org
Andrea Cubelo-McKay is the founder of Embark Center for Self-Directed Education, a non-compulsory educational community for teens where, through intrinsic motivation, they can discover their passions and focus on their needs and goals.
Liberating Our Youth:
Donna Cywinski
After a successful career as an attorney, Donna earned an MA in History, focusing on women’s history. Donna is a leader of Fauquier Indivisible and teaches History at Germanna Community College.
Not Mission Impossible: Growing Grassroots Activism in Red and Purple Counties:
Timothy Cywinski
Communications Coordinator, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter | tim.cywinski@gmail.com
Tim Cywinski is an advocacy professional with 4 years of experience lobbying the VA General Assembly on policy related to college affordability and economic justice. Tim presents strategic communications and advocacy trainings to civically engaged people across Virginia and teaches Political Communications to aspiring candidates from underserved backgrounds.
Strategic Advocacy for Everyday People:
China Dickerson
National Political Director, Forward Majority
chinadickerson@gmail.com
China Dickerson has worked in the areas of federal government, community organizing, and electoral politics for over a decade. Currently, Ms. Dickerson works to elect Democrats into state legislative offices across the country.
A Conversation About Race in Everyday Life:
Heidi Drauschak
Managing Partner, Antrim Grace Solutions
Heidi@antrimgrace.com
Heidi has extensive experience in the government sector, including work at the White House, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and on the campaign trail. Heidi holds a JD/MBA from University of Richmond.
Where Technology and Politics Intersect:
Scott Emery
Zero Carbon Virginia/Citizens’ Climate Lobby| nscott.emery@gmail.com
A Professional Engineer, Scott has been a Citizens’ Climate Lobby volunteer since 2018 and is a founding member of Zero Carbon Virginia. He has lobbied both Congress and Virginia’s General Assembly on clean energy policy.
Using Your Grassroots Power: How to Lobby your Elected Representatives:
Katie Fahey
Executive Director, Voters Not Politicians/The People| katie@thepeople.org
Katie Fahey served as the founder and executive director of Voters Not Politicians – the nonpartisan campaign to end gerrymandering in Michigan, and now as executive director of The People – an effort to bridge political divides nation wide
Virginians for Fair Redistricting. Taking Back Our Voice (Breakouts #1: 11:00-12:15pm)
Sam Fatima
Fatima is a headshot photographer who absolutely loves his job and everything that comes with it. He appreciates the people he meets, the places he goes, the hours he keeps, and the spontaneity in every shoot.
Candidate Headshots:
Jennifer Finkle
Jennifer Finkle is an instructor and black belt in Krav Maga. When not kicking friends in the groin, Jennifer works as an RN in behavioral health, enjoys time with her dog, and watches classic movies.
Women’s Safety:
Lynn Fletcher
31st. Street Swing Left | lynn@lynnfletchermediation.com
Lynn Fletcher is a family law attorney, mediator, and collaborative attorney in private practice in Falls Church, Virginia. Lynn is on the leadership team of 31st Street Swing Left and helped the group in raising over $1 million in 2018 for Blue Wave House and Senate candidates.
Raising Serious Money for Progressive Candidates:
Parade of Power
Paid Family and Medical Leave: What it is and Why We Need It
Grassroots Activism Speed Dating with LWCC:
Jen Golobic
jennifergolobic@gmail.com
Menstrual Equity: Practical Action to Public Policy:
Joshua Goodman
Using Your Grassroots Power: How to Lobby your Elected Representatives:
Audra Grassia
Sr. Director of Campaigns , ACRONYM | audra@anotheracronym.org
Digital Organizing: Amplifying Your Message:
Julie Greenberg
31st St. Swing Left
Julie Greenberg has canvassed for years, but has found the “persuasion canvassing” approach she’s learned while canvassing with 31st St. Swing Left newly compelling. She credits canvassing with whatever sanity she still has left at this point!
Take Your Canvassing Up a Notch:
Leah Greenberg
Co-Executive Director, Indivisible
Leah Greenberg is a co-Founder and co-Executive Director of the Indivisible Project. She most recently served as Policy Director for the Tom Perriello for Governor of Virginia campaign.
BADASS Breakfast:
Delegate Elizabeth Guzman
Virginia House of Delegates, District 31 |
Elizabeth@ElizabethGuzmanForVirginia.Com & DeleGuzman@House.Virginia.Gov
The first Hispanic female immigrant elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 400 years, Guzman is a proud mother, social worker, union member, and Chair of the Freshman Caucus who fights for the working class.
Intersectional Justice: Bringing Economic, Environmental, & Social Justice through the Green New Deal: Date and Time TBA
Ibby Han
Student Power Network | ihan@newvirginiamajority.org
Ibby Han is the Director of the Virginia Student Power Network, a multi-issue grassroots network of young organizers from universities across Virginia who build power for democratic, diverse, and accessible education.
Taking Back Power:
Tee Marie Hanible
Author – The Warrior Code
Recently retired from the U.S. Marines after nearly two decades of service, Tee Marie Hanible became the first female military expert on “American Grit.” She founded Operation Heroes Connect, an organization that partners service members and veterans as mentors for at-risk youth. In 2012, she was featured in the Newsweek magazine “Heroes Edition.” She was the National Veteran’s Chair for the Women’s March and is currently an Executive Board member of the DC chapter. The Warrior Code is her first book
POWER Jam: Telling Our Story Stage. Sat., June 29th at 9:00pm
Mary Hartnett
Co-Author – My Own Words
Mary Hartnett has been at Georgetown Law since 1998, first as Executive Director of the Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (WLPPFP), and now as an Adjunct Professor of Law and Advisory Board Member of WLPPFP. Professor Hartnett is co-author, with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Wendy W. Williams, of My Own Words (Simon & Schuster, 2016) and together with Professor Williams is one of Justice Ginsburg’s authorized biographers.
POWER Jam: Telling Our Story Stage. Sat., June 29th at 8:15pm
Lori Harrison-Kahan
Author – The Superwoman and Other Writings by Miriam Michelson
https://www.loriharrisonkahan.com/ | harrislo@bc.edu
Lori Harrison-Kahan is associate professor of the practice of English at Boston College. She is also the author of The White Negress: Literature, Minstrelsy, and the Black-Jewish Imaginary.
POWER Jam: Telling Our Story Stage. Sat., June 29th at 8:15pm
Holly Hazard
Lobbying Like a Pro: Secrets to Strategy, Organizing and Communication that will Transform Your Ideas into Law
Megan Hondl
Campaign Director, Virginia House Democratic Caucus | megan@vahousedems.org
Before coming to Virginia, Megan spent the last few years working for the Wisconsin House Caucus where she managed two races, worked as the Candidate Fundraising Manager, and then became the Deputy Political Director.
Taking Back Power:
Lorie Hood
The Hood Group & Responders First| Lorie@thehoodgroupllc.com
High Stakes Performance: How Women of Power Must Navigate, Negotiate and Speak Differently to be Heard: Sat., June 29th at TBA
POWER Jam – Atrium Stage:
Senator Janet Howell
Virginia State Senator, D32| senhowell@gmail.com
Go LOCAL Rally
Esther Iverem
Creator, Producer, and Host on On the Ground, Pacifica Radio estheriverem.com | iverem@seeingblack.com
A Conversation about Racism in Everyday Life Workshop:
Julie Jakopic
Leading in Your Community:
Amina Gilyard James
Founder & Principal Consultant, Influence by AG |agilyard@gmail.com
We’re here. What’s next? Moving from Representation to Storytelling in the Political Space:
Chonya Davis Johnson
Working on the Hill:
Barb Jones
Barbara Jones is passionate about authentically connecting with individuals to advocate for the issues they support. Whether as a founder of the first Network NoVA Women’s Summit, the New Activist Center for the Virginia Civic Engagement Table or staffing legislators, Barbara is focused on building grassroots engagement for progressive causes.
Go LOCAL Rally:
Krysta Jones
Krysta Jones is founder and CEO of Vote Lead Impact which prepares Blacks for political leadership. She hosts a local TV show and is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale.
POWER Lunch:
Marilyn Karp
Founding Member, Indivisible Nova West| marilynkarp@gmail.com
Wall of Resistance: Be the Change:
BADASS Breakfast
Sarah Karush
Fairfax County Chapter Leader, Citizens’ Climate Lobby| skarush@outlook.com
Using Your Grassroots Power: How to Lobby your Elected Representatives :
Mark Keam
Virginia House of Delegates | info@MarkKeam.com
Go Local Rally:
Amy Kossoff
Take Your Canvassing Up a Notch:
Debra Fried Levin
Fundraising Where Nobody Says “No” – The power of peer-to-peer email fundraising:
Nicole Pugar Lawter
Director of Government Affairs, Williams Mullen
Nicole Pugar Lawter is the Director of Government Affairs at Williams Mullen. As a member of the firm’s Government Relations practice group, Nicole represents clients before Virginia’s legislative and executive branches of government including state agencies and boards.
Lobbying Like a Pro: Secrets to Strategy, Organizing and Communication that will Transform Your Ideas into Law:
JoAnn Loulan
Local Majority | joann@localmajority.org
States the Path to Progressive and Inclusive Democracy:
Taylor Lustig
Author – Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House.
Taylor served in the White House from age twenty-two to age twenty-six, most recently as a Policy Advisor for the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, part of the Domestic Policy Council. Her work focused on community engagement and domestic and international policy issues of concern to the faith community, interfaith dialogue, and church-state policy. She previously served as a Policy Assistant in the same office. After the White House, Taylor moved over to the Department of Labor, where she served as a political appointee in the Secretary’s Office of Public Engagement until the end of the Obama Administration.
POWER Jam. Telling Our Story Stage
Priscilla Martinez
Community Activist | priscillamtz@gmail.com
Over the past 25+ years, Priscilla’s activism has focused on civic engagement, interfaith relationships, the environment, and social justice. Her expertise includes bringing differing groups together and elevating marginalized voices.
Power Lunch:
Jane M. Materna
Reproductive Justice Advocate | jane@orgcapacity.com
Pro-Choice Proud! Session 1 Date and Time TBA
Pro-Choice Proud! Session 2
Erin Matson
Co-Founder/Co-Director, Reproaction | erin@reproaction.org
Pro-Choice Proud! Session 2:
Jennifer McClellan
Virginia Senate| ngiste@jennifermcclellan.com
Power Lunch:
Passing LGBTQ Affirming Policy in Our Schools:
Ladelle McWorter
Chairperson, Virginia Organizing State Governing Board | lmcwhort@richmond.edu
A Conversation about Racism in Everyday Life Workshop:
Joan Michelson
Journalist, Entrepreneur, Advocate for Women, Coach | Forbes, Green Connections Radio podcast | joan@greenconnectionsradio.com
POWER Jam. Telling Our Story Stage
Patricia Miller
Author – Bringing Down The Colonel: A Sex Scandal of the Gilded Age, and the “Powerless” Woman Who Took on Washington
Patricia Miller is an award-winning author and journalist whose fascination with the untold stories of women led her on a 10-year journey to unearth the story of the Breckinridge–Pollard scandal. Her work on the interplay of politics and sexual morality has appeared in The Atlantic, Salon, The Nation, Huffington Post, and Ms. Magazine. She received a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and lives outside of Washington, DC, with her husband and dog.
POWER Jam. Telling Our Story Stage. Sat., June 29th at 8:15pm
Liana E. Montecinos, Esq.
Executive Director, United for Social Justice & Immigration Attorney, Benach Collopy LLP | lmontecinos@benachcollopy.com
Parade of Power:
Julie Morrill
Women’s Safety:
Jessica Mott
Fundraising Where Nobody Says “No” – The power of peer-to-peer email fundraising:
Stephanie Nash
Virginia Advocacy Director, Whole Woman’s Health Alliance | Stephanie@shiftstigma.org
Pro-Choice and Proud! Session 2:
Cydny A. Neville, MAEd
Be Fearless:
Emily Ocasio
Poet | 8th Grade Student, The New School of Northern Virginia | ocasio.emi@gmail.com
Morning Speaker:
Atima Omara
Atima Omara is an award-winning political strategist, advocate, and the founder and president of Omara Strategy Group — a D.C. metro based progressive consulting firm supporting candidates and organizations that share her goal of achieving a more reflective democracy for women, people of color, and LGBTQ communities.
Taking Back Power
Whitney Petrilli
Not Mission Impossible: Growing Grassroots Activism in Red and Purple Counties
Mali Phonpadith
Founder/CEO, SOAR Community Network
mali@soarcommunitynetwork.com
Sparking Real Change through Conscious Leadership:
Mary Pence
31st St. Swing Left | marypence58@gmail.com
Raising Serious Money for Progressive Candidates:
Andrea Ramos
Training Manager, ACRONYM | andrea@anotheracronym.org
Digital Organizing: Amplifying Your Message:
Delegate Sam Rasoul
Delegate, HD11 and The Impact Center | delsrasoul@house.virginia.gov
Leading with New Power:
Intersectional Justice: Bringing Economic, Environmental, & Social Justice through the Green New Deal:
Catherine Read
Robert Rigby, Jr.
Fairfax County Public Schools Pride | robertrigbyjr63@gmail.com
Passing LGBTQ Affirming Policy in Our Schools: Date and Time TBA
Jess Morales Rocketto.
Jess Morales Rocketto is a co-founder of Supermajority, a multiracial, intergenerational community that fights for gender equity and promotes women’s activism, training and mobilizing. She is also Political Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.
Power Lunch:
Alan Rosenblatt, Ph.D.
www.LakeResearchPartners and www.turner4D.com | AlanRosenblatt@gmail.com
Social Advocacy and Organizing: Date and Time TBA
Lyzz Schwegler
Co-Founder, Director of Communications, Sister District Project | Lyzz@sisterdistrict.com
Parade of Power
Marni Sclaroff
marnisclaroff.com | marni@marnisclaroff.com
Marni Sclaroff is a yoga and meditation teacher, spirit guide, and wellness advocate with over twenty years of experience in the healing arts. She leads workshops, retreats, online courses, and mentoring programs.
Your Rhythms of Thriving- Self-Care for Activists:
Gelila Sebhatu
Founder, Arlington Huddle Action Network (AHAN) | arlingtonhuddle@gmail.com
A Conversation about Racism in Everyday Life Workshop:
Holly Seibold
Founder and Executive Director, BRAWS | holly@braws.org
Since January 2015, Holly and her team have distributed over two million period products and undergarments to women and girls in crisis. Prior to launching Bringing Aid to Women’s Shelters (BRAWS), Holly was a classroom educator and small business owner specializing in STEM education.
Menstrual Equity: Practical Action to Public Policy:
POWER Jam: Telling Our Story Stage.
Samantha Seiple
Author – Louisa on the Front Lines: Louisa May Alcott in the Civil War
Samantha Seiple is the author of Lincoln’s Spymaster: America’s First Private Eye and Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska’s WWII Invasion. With degrees in English, journalism, and library and information science, Seiple lives and works in Asheville, North Carolina.
POWER Jam. Telling Our Story Stage, 8:15pm
Briana Sewell
Northern Virginia Organizer, Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy | briana@familyfriendlyeconomyva.org
Briana is the Northern Virginia Organizer for the Virginia Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, the primary financial sponsor of the Women’s Summit. Previously, Briana served as the Prince William County District Director for Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11).
Parade of Power/Meet the Candidates
James Shelton
Take Your Canvassing Up a Notch:
Ellie Smeal
President, Feminist Majority | esmeal@feminist.org
BADASS Breakfast:
Diann Smith
Diann is an organizer with Peninsula Indivisible, a grassroots organization on the VA Peninsula which works to get progressives elected, resists objectionable policies, hosts educational events, and works to help the disenfranchised.
Parade of Power
Sarah Smith
Sarah is a member of the Rising Organizers training team. She lives in Bowie, Maryland, and organizes with Mass Liberation/Life after Release for state’s attorney and police accountability in Prince George’s County.
Becoming the Activist You Want to Be
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger
Friday Night Speaker:
Miggy Strano
Not Mission Impossible: Growing Grassroots Activism in Red and Purple Counties:
Catina Franklin Sweedy
Program Advisor, Embark Center for Self-Directed Education
catina@embarkcenter.org
Liberating Our Youth:
Ali Symons
Parade of Power
Chantelle Tait
Becoming the Activist You Want to Be
Neera Tanden
President and CEO, Center for American Progress Action Fund | tvanschepen@americanprogress.org
BADASS Breakfast:
Fariha Tasneem
Student, Justice High School | ftasneem28@gmail.com
Menstrual Equity: Practical Action to Public Policy:
Pastor Michelle C. Thomas
President, NAACP Loudoun Branch | president@naacploudoun.org
Power Lunch: Shaking the Table Panel
Grassroots Activism Speed Dating with LWCC
Kimberly Anne Tucker
Senior Regional Organizer, Indivisible |Kimberly@Indivisible.org
Taking Back Power:
Galina Varchena
Policy Director, NARAL Pro Choice Virginia | galina@naralva.org
Pro-Choice Proud! Session 1:
Toni Van Pelt
President, National Organization for Women | president@now.org
Since she joined NOW in 1989, Toni has served in leadership positions at all levels of the organization. Toni became President in 2017 and remains devoted to grassroots activism at the local level.
BADASS Breakfast Speaker:
Senator Mark Warner
Senior Senator from Virginia
Senator Warner was elected to the US Senate in November 2008 and reelected to a second term in November 2014. He serves on the Senate Finance, Banking, Budget, and Rules Committees as well as the Select Committee on Intelligence, where he is the Vice Chairman. During his time in the Senate, Senator Warner has established himself as a bipartisan leader who has worked with Republicans and Democrats alike to cut red tape, increase government performance and accountability, and promote private sector innovation and job creation.
Main Stage: Saturday Morning:
Delegate Vivian Watts
Virginia House of Delegates |vwatts@erols.com
Vivian Watts is the longest-serving woman in the 400-year history of the House of Delegates, representing Annandale and Springfield since 1996. She served as the Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety from 1986-1990.
Go LOCAL Rally:
Katherine White
Program Director, Network NoVA |KatherineNetworkNoVA@gmail.com
Taking Back Power:
Pat Widener
Indivisiblenovawest | patwidener571@gmail.com
Activist Pat Widener is a member of Indivisible Nova West. She has varied political experiences including: writing postcards, organizing buses to Richmond and Haymarket Day, marketing and publicizing events, serving as her precinct voting captain, driving canvassers, and donating money to Democratic candidates.
Wall of Resistance. Be the Change:
Tina Williams
FCPS School Counselor and President of AFT Local 2401 – Fairfax County Federation of Teachers union | Twilliams@fcft.org
Parade of Power: Sat., June 29th at 9:00am
Vangie Williams
BADASS Breakfast:
Carolyn Darrow Woodard
Carolyn Woodard is a Founder and Leader of Moms Demand Action Fauquier County. She is a community leader in Fauquier Indivisible and 4H. She has a degree in Nonprofit Management and is mom to two.
Inviting in Stakeholders: Moms Demand Action Case Study
Not Mission Impossible: Growing Grassroots Activism in Red and Purple Counties
Kim Drew Wright
Founder, LWCC: Liberal Women of Chesterfield County & Beyond | kimdrewwright@gmail.com
Grassroots Activism Speed Dating with LWCC:
Performers
Chris Anderson
Singer/Songwriter, http://chris-anderson.info | chris.anderson.songs@gmail.com
Go LOCAL Rally: Fri. night, June 28th
Batala Washington
All-Women Afro-Brazilian band that plays Samba-Reggae Rhythms
Batalá Washington’s mission is to empower women through drumming and expose people to Brazil’s dynamic Afro Bahian culture and Samba Reggae music.
Joining Batalá is free of charge to all women regardless of race, religion, income, sexual orientation or musical experience.
Parade of Power. 9:00am
Lorie Hood
The Hood Group & Responders First| Lorie@thehoodgroupllc.com
Lorie Hood is board certified in Forensic Traumatology, Emergency Crisis Response, and Domestic Violence. She is the Creator of The High Stakes Performance Method; Founder-The Hood Group; CEO-Responders First; Founder of FutureSafe.High Stakes
POWER Jam – Atrium Stage : Sat. Night, June 29th at TBA
Hyla Matthews
Comedian
Before moving to DC in 2009, Hyla performed stand-up comedy and improv all over Los Angeles, and acted in films and commercials. She trained and performed with Second City LA, and was a member of the Groundlings Sunday Company sketch troupe. She was a regular “round table” guest on the E! talk show Chelsea Lately and has performed on tour opening for Chelsea Handler, including a 2009 show at D.C.’s Warner Theatre. She performs locally in DC at Sully’s, Chinese Disco, Emissary, and many others. She graduated with a BA in drama from Bennington college.
POWER Jam: Sat. night, June 29th
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Our mission is to connect with others in Northern Virginia and beyond for the purpose of promoting the democratic values of equality, justice, and human rights by creating opportunities for political engagement and civic participation to educate, engage, and empower voters, candidates, and elected officials. We strive to strengthen partnerships and build broad coalitions to continue the progress of winning back electoral power for the democratic party. We do not endorse candidates in the primary process unless the candidate is unopposed.
Women’s Summit 2019
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