JOINING UP WITH WOMEN OF COLOR TOUR
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From: Ann S.
Date: Monday, October 20, 2008, 11:17 AM
Subject: Joining Up with Women of Color Tour
ID: 265382

When I told someone on a phone call that I was excited about the Women of Color tour coming to our area November 4th in Fort Myers, Florida, he asked me if I was a woman of color. I am not by skin color but I am a mother, grandmother, sister who cares deeply that all women count especially those whose voices are not always heard or whose issues are not on the mainstream agenda. So I am asking you all to help spread the news that there is a non-partisan campaign to get out the vote and hold elected officials accountable for issues that mater to all of us especially women of color. Stopping violence against women and HIV & AIDS, access to good health care, education, housing, safe and healthy communities, peace and pay equity are key issues that we all want for the people of the United States. My young friend and colleague, Jacqueline Patterson is the Women of Color United Coordinator. This 41 Million Strong Campaign is a unique movement in the form of a month long road tour with the goal of rallying women of color (Native American/American Indian, African-American, Latin American, Asian and Pacific Islander American and Middle Eastern American) to have their voices heard in the upcoming elections.

Jacqueline Patterson has a website and blog that will keep us updated on this tour so that we can gather support through our friends, organizations and the media. “We are passionate about ensuring that women of color are represented by the electorate, and therefore we have dropped everything to hit the road in 20 states throughout the nation and mobilize the vote of women of color," says Jacqui. This initiative will extend beyond the tour route through radio and print media, as well as web- based content, which will be uploaded on a daily basis via http://www.womenofcolorunited.org

the tour will visit states that have tight Presidential/ Congressional races and/or have a significant representation of the WOCU constituents. The tour will visit Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, District of Columbia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Maryland and will conclude in Florida on November 4th.

I love that we women of all colors are leading the way, united through sisterhood to bring to the polticial agenda our issues and women's voices. We the people for the people. Namaste!!! Ann Smith