Washington, D.C. – While President Trump delivers his first State of the Union address on Tuesday, leading women activists from throughout the country are hosting an alternative event in Washington, D.C. – The State of Our Union – to provide our voice and vision for the country, and to address and defeat persistent gender inequality and racism.
People’s Action is joining other national leaders including Ai-jen Poo (National Domestic Workers Alliance), Tarana Burke (Girls for Gender Equity and ‘MeToo’ movement), Mónica Ramirez (National Farmworker Women’s Alliance), Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood, Kristin Rowe Finkbeiner of MomsRising, Arisha Hatch of Color of Change, along with Congressional champions like Pramila Jayapal, to lift up the stories and voices of our communities.
The State of Our Union event will be livestreamed at: thestateofourunion.org
What: 500 women from all walks of life will attend the “State of Our Union” in response to President Trump’s State of the Union address.
When: Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Time: 8:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: National Press Club, Washington DC: 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC
Watch here: thestateofourunion.org
Hashtag: #StateOfOurUnion
Who:
· National Domestic Workers Alliance and Caring Across Generations
· Girls for Gender Equity and ‘MeToo’ movement
· Planned Parenthood
· Alianza Nacional de Campesinas (National Farmworker Women’s Alliance)
· MomsRising
· Color of Change
· People’s Action and other co-sponsors
Event speakers and performers include:
· U.S. Congresswomen including Pramila Jayapal (D-WA); Judy Chu (D-CA); Barbara Lee (D-CA)
· Ledisi, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter
· Maria Teresa Kumar, President of Voto Latino
· Alicia Garza, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, National Domestic Workers Alliance and co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter
· Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minnesota House of Representatives, Member of America’s Cabinet
· Chelsea White, born and raised in Appalachia by a single mom, organizer with People’s Action
· Ruth Anna Buffalo, public health advocate, Native American organizer, member of People’s Action
· Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood of America
· Natalicia Tracy, survivor of human trafficking, Executive Director of Brazilian Worker Center
· Makaya Thomas, sexual assault survivor and patient of Planned Parenthood
· Nikki Booker-Brown, disability rights activist, family caregiver, and member of Hand in Hand
· Victoria Raiz, undocumented immigrant and patient of Planned Parenthood
· Thea Bryan, single mom working in restaurant industry, survivor of sexual harassment, member of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United
· Raquel Willis, Black queer transwoman activist, member of Planned Parenthood
· Milly Trevino-Sauceda, farmworker from the age of 8, co-founder of Alianza Nacional de Campesinas
· Amanda Nguyen, rape survivor, aspiring astronaut, and founder of RISE
· Sarita Gupta, family caregiver, executive director of Jobs With Justice and co-director of Caring Across Generations
People’s Action is bringing leaders from nine states to participate in the State of Our Union. Chelsea White from North Carolina is among the many speakers.
“There’s a new wave of defiance growing in the mountains, and that defiance is female; it is young and old; and it is every color of the rainbow,” said People’s Action member Chelsea White, 24, who was born in Appalachia and raised there by a single mother. “Together, we are fighting to save the lives of our loved ones who are struggling with opioid addiction. We are fighting to ensure safety and justice for the Black, Latina, Indigenous, Queer, and poor folk who live and love in the rural parts of North Carolina.”
Ai-jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, calls 2018 a critical year for women.
“We have already demonstrated that we are willing to carry more than our share of the weight in defending our democracy. It’s now time for action and solutions – on everything from sexual assault and harassment to low wages and pay equity; from elder care and childcare to paid family leave. There is nothing more powerful than women coming together and demanding change,” said Poo.
The “State of Our Union” event will release new polling data on where women stand on critical issues facing our country, will advocate for policy solutions, and mobilize women voters to elect leaders who support their vision.
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