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
Black Women Focus on Aging Mastery
The Black Women’s Agenda recently hosted a summit themed, “I Am the Change: Living Your Best Life at Every Age,” at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Sponsored by AARP and featuring leading experts in the fields of health, education, and economic security, the event focused on the importance of health and wellness in the aging process.
“Too often black women are focused on everyone and everything except themselves,” said panel moderator Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings. “Our concern for and work on behalf of our families and communities competes with our ability to implement self-care strategies that support our physical, emotional, spiritual, and socioeconomic wellbeing.”
March is Women’s History Month
This March, join The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. as we celebrate Women’s History Month. Congress first declared March as Women’s History month in 1987. Since then, every year there’s a Presidential Proclamation to announce the month and to honor women who have made a notable impact in history.
According to the National Women’s History Alliance, “In February 1980, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week. In the same year, Representative Barbara Mikulski, who at the time was in the House of Representatives, and Senator Orrin Hatch co-sponsored a Congressional Resolution for National Women’s History Week 1981. This co-sponsorship demonstrated the wide-ranging political support for recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the achievements of American women.
FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH
This year, as our hearts fill with pride while we celebrate Black History Month, let us also remember to focus on our heart health. And not just on Valentines Day – the entire month of February is American Heart Month.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States and certain minority groups face a greater risk than others. Deaths from heart disease are higher in Black Americans than in White Americans and other ethnic groups, and heart disease develops at a younger age in African Americans.
But, heart disease can often be prevented when people know their risks, make healthy choices and manage their medical conditions. So this month, learn the signs and symptoms and the steps you can take to make a difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones at https://www.goredforwomen.org
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