Cecile Richards Progressive Leader Award 2021 Reception Program Booklet - Flipbook - Page 3
resulted in our largest-ever coordinated voter mobilization program, the
highest midterm voter participation in more than a century and a strong
resurgence of progressive power across the country.
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Since our founding in 2003, America Votes has worked to advance
progressive issues and elect progressive leaders in more than 20 states.
Dear Friends,
Dear
Friends,
Our mission
reflects the visionary leadership of our founding president,
Cecile
Richards.
A decade
ago,
in 2009
we celebrated
Cecile have
with the
Since our founding
in 2003,
America
Votes
and our partners
first
Progressive
Leader
Award
named
in
her
honor,
and
tonight
we are
worked
together
to
build
long-term
progressive
power
across
Since our founding in 2003, America Votes and ourthe
partners
thrilled
present
Honorable
Staceyelection
Abrams year
with in
the
2019
Cecile
country.toFacing
thethe
most
consequential
the
history
of
have worked together to build long-term progressive power
our country,
we are deeply
committed
Richards
Progressive
Leader
Award. to this work as we coordinate our
across
the
country.
Our coalition
facedinenormous
challenges
coalition’s
largest
voter mobilization
campaign
more than 20
states.
As 2020
an unwavering
movement-wide
champion
in theended
fight to with
protect
in
and theand
turbulent
election
cycle that
our
democracy
from
the
rampant
“War
on
Voting,”
Stacey
Abrams
an
Our
mission
reflects
the
visionary
leadership
of
our
founding
president,
violent insurrection against American democracy and ais full
Cecile Richards.
weseek
celebrated
Cecile
withnationally
the first Progressive
inspiration
for allInof2009,
us who
to create
change
and in the
transformation
of in
power
in Washington.
the course
Leader
Award
named
honor,
andGeorgia
tonightHouse
weOver
areofthrilled
to honor
states. After
serving
for 11her
years
in the
Representatives,
of
the
year,
America
Votes
and
partners
rallied
to
meet
the
the
House
Democratic
Caucus
with
the
2020
Cecile
Richards
Progressive
including seven as minority leader, Abrams won the Democratic
Leader
Award.
moment
repeatedly
and
played
a
major
role
in
driving
the
nomination for governor of Georgia in 2018, making her the first black
woman toturnout
win a major
party’s
nomination
in U.S.
history.
on
historic
surge
that
delivered
more
thanShe
81went
million
The House Democratic Caucus set the example for leadership around
to
win
more
votes
than
any
Democrat
ever
in
Georgia
in
her
historic
votes
to
President
Biden
and
Vice
President
Harris.
expanding voting rights and strengthening our democracy, prioritizing
campaign.
swift legislative action in the 116th Congress. We are specifically
celebrating the passage of the For The People Act (H.R. 1) and the
Our
reflect
the visionary
After mission
witnessingcontinues
systematic to
voter
suppression
in Georgia,leadership
Abrams most
Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4). H.R. 1 is the most significant
recently
launched
Fair
Fight
to
advocate
for
fair
elections
andrestores
encourage
of
our
founding
president,
Cecile
Richards.
In
2009,
we
democratic reform legislation in decades, and H.R. 4 critically
voter
participation
to provide
every
eligible
Georgian
a voiceRights
inAward,
our Act
the preclearance
requirements
struck
down
from the Voting
celebrated
Cecile
with the
first
Progressive
Leader
democracy.
It is
in appreciation
of her
tremendous
leadership
so our
in 2013. Itin
is her
in
appreciation
of these
efforts
Votes
and
named
honor, and
tonight
wethat
areAmerica
thrilled
to on
honor
many
fronts
that America
Votes
andDemocratic
partners proudly
present
Stacey
partners
proudly
present the
House
Caucus
with the
2020
both
Michigan
Secretary
ofProgressive
State
Jocelyn
Benson and
Cecile
Richards
Leader
Award.
Abrams
with theProgressive
Cecile Richards
Leader Award.
the America Votes-Wisconsin coalition for outstanding
Thank
being
with
evening.
strong
and
Thank you
you for
forin
being
with us
us this
this
evening. Our
Our
strong
and continued
continued
leadership
defending
democracy
and
voting
rights to
partnership is the foundation for building progressive power across the
ensure every voice and vote were heard and were2020
counted
andthe
country. We look forward to our continued work together in 2019 and
at
a
time
of
unprecedented
challenge.
the many
years
to come.
many
years
to come.
All our thanks,
Since
her election in 2018, Secretary Benson has set
the example for leadership in the service of democracy,
through her work to implement the Promote the Vote and
Independent Redistricting Commission ballot initiatives and
Sara Schreiber
Greg Speed
expand
safe voting opportunities
President
Executive Director
President
Managing
Director for Michiganders amid the
COVID-19 pandemic. Her tremendous service helped pave
the way for a free and fair election in Michigan and a nearly
705,000-vote increase in turnout over the 2016 presidential
election.
In the Badger State, America Votes-Wisconsin partners
- from BLOC to A Better Wisconsin Together to LIT-AF
to Voces de la Frontera and more - worked together in
2020 with remarkable community organizing and voter