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Vital Voices: Women of Color and the 2020 Election

Sunday, March 29th, 3:00-5:00 PM

Edwards Church, 297Main Street, Northampton, MA

Event is Free and Open to the public

Presented jointly with Pioneer Valley Interfaith Refugee Action Group & Critical Connections, Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst and other local organizations

According to a recent report, Ahead of the Majority, women of color represented a 37% increase in voter turnout in the 2018 mid-term elections, and played a significant role in mobilizing their social networks to become politically active and vote. Women of color are again poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in the upcoming presidential election. What can be done to support women of color and their mobilization in the upcoming election, not just as voters, but movement leaders, activists, and candidates? Join us on Sunday, March 29th for an in-depth conversation with political activists, Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Helena Berbano and Kimberly Peeler-Allen (to be confirmed).

Speakers:

Helena Berbano, National Political Director, New American Leaders

Helena Berbano is a second generation Filipina American, organizer, activist, and campaign operative.  New American Leaders is leading a movement for inclusive democracy by preparing first and second generation Americans to use their power and potential in elected office. It is the only national, nonpartisan organization focused on bringing New Americans into the political process. A primary goal is the training and inspiring immigrant leaders of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to run for office.

Tahira Amatul-Wadud

Tahirah, an African-American Muslim woman, was a Democratic candidate in 2018 for the Massachusetts 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, challenging 30 year Democratic incumbent Richard E. Neal.  She is a lawyer in Western Massachusetts with a focus on domestic relations and civil rights law.  Tahira was the keynote speaker at a previous joint program in October 2018, Muslim Women in Politics:  Shaping Narratives, Shaping Perceptions.

Kimberly Peeler-Allen                                                To be Confirmed

Kimberly Peeler-Allen was the co-founder of Higher Heights for America (HHFA), a national organization building the political power and leadership of Black women from the voting booth to elected office. Currently she is the Co-Chair of Higher Heights for America PAC. Kimberly has been working at the intersection of race, gender and politics for almost 20 years.