BLACK WOMEN’S AGENDA LAUNCHES GET OUT THE VOTE INITIATIVE
Collaborating Women’s Organizations – Serving Over One Million – Heed Agenda’s “Four For 4™” Call-to-Action
In October 2012, The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. (BWA) announced an ambitious initiative to get out the vote that is being powered by the members of 20 National Collaborating Women’s Organizations. “Four For 4™” – Four People, Four Votes, Four Years and Foresight – engages the members of participating sororities, civic and faith-based groups in raising awareness, educating voters and ensuring that at least four people, including themselves, vote on Election Day.
During the 2012 presidential election, the number of Blacks who voted in 2012 rose by 1.7 million and, for the first time in census history, America’s African-American population voted at higher rates than whites. Four years later, however, African Americans turned out in fewer numbers. Poll restrictions on early voting hours and voter registration drives, legislation requiring photo identification, and long lines at the polls in minority neighborhoods have all been cited as contributing to the decrease in Black voter participation.
Despite this, hundreds of African-Americans took the Four For 4™ pledge, each promising to see that four people made their way to the voting booth. “Exercising our right to vote is a fundamental part of being participants in this democracy,” explains BWA President Gwainevere Catchings Hess. “BWA will continue to educate our communities about the importance of making our voices heard and engage them in taking an active role to move our country forward.”
Collaborating organizations that have pledged their support for the “Four For 4™” initiative include: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Auxiliary to the National Medical Association, Inc.; Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.; Jack & Jill of America, Inc.; Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc.; Mocha Moms, Inc.; National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc.; National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.; National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.; National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; The Girl Friends, Inc.; The Links, Inc.; Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.; Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
OTHER NEWS
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
According to The American Cancer Society, “Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The cervical cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased use of the Pap test for screening. But the death rate has not changed much over the last 15 years.” And several studies show that a disproportionate number of women that die each year from cervical cancer are Black women.
The American Cancer Society also stresses the importance of regular screening for the disease, emphasizing that, “Screening tests offer the best chance to have cervical cancer found early when successful treatment is likely.
I AM THE CHANGE FORUMS
The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. is taking its “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” town hall on the road! Introduced with support from AARP at its 41st Annual Symposium in September 2018, the forum encourages participants to consider where they are and want to be from a financial, educational and health perspective, and to be a catalyst for change for themselves, their families, and communities.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE TOP LADIES OF DISTINCTION, INC.
If you are looking for the Top Ladies of Distinction, go into Black communities. You’ll find them planting fruit and vegetable gardens, tidying up historic cemeteries, and removing graffiti. They will be mentoring local teens, hosting workshops and seminars that prepare them for future success, and teaching youth the importance of giving back. They will be providing companionship, conversation and valuable information to the elderly. They will be improving the quality of life in neighborhoods across the United States.
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