Latinas Unite in Final Push to Get Out The Vote this Election Day, Mobilize to Recognize Nov. 1 as “National Latina Civic Engagement Day”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 31, 2020
CONTACTS:
Mynellies Negrón | (703) 585-6727 | mynellies@communicationsshop.us
On the ground: Monica Sibri | (917) 353-4416 | msibri@poderlatinx.org
Latinas Unite in Final Push to Get Out The Vote this Election Day, Mobilize to Recognize Nov. 1 as “National Latina Civic Engagement Day”
WHAT: Latina-led organizations will host a national day of action calling on all eligible U.S. Latinas to vote, as the last mobilization effort to get the Latinx community to the polls for the election. These organizations have joined forces to amplify the power of the Latina electorate and uplift Nov. 1 as “National Latina Civic Engagement Day,'' in recognition of the growing power of Latinas.
WHEN: In-Person Event: Sunday, November 1, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
Online Event: Sunday, November 1, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m
WHERE: Black Lives Matter Plaza, 16th Street NW, Washington, DC
(Right in front of the White House)
Online event: poderlatinx.org/national-latina-civic-engagement-day
WASHINGTON – Two days before Election Day, Latina-led organizations unite to acknowledge, celebrate, and promote the presence of Latinas as a voting force, and their leadership in civic engagement. Latinas and supporters will be joining forces through consecutive virtual phone banks and dialogues until 7:00 p.m., and an in-person action at the Black Lives Matter Plaza in DC, right in front of the White House (Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.).
This effort is part of a broader push for official recognition of “National Latina Civic Engagement Day” as a national U.S. holiday, and will raise up a new generation of Latina leaders.
“Latinas are among the most important constituencies, and uplifting their power the weekend before Election Day is exactly what the nation should be doing. We are bringing together talented, young women who are starting their journey in civic life and navigating the political landscape, with women who have a solid and fruitful history of organizing and mobilizing our communities. United, as one familia of strong, smart women, we will build a powerful legacy for multiple generations to come,” said Yadira Sánchez, co-executive director of Poder Latinx.
Latinas make up 16.4 percent of the U.S. population and will become 25.7 percent in 2050. Yet, despite their growing power, the lack of representation of and investment in the Latina electorate has translated into a diminished role for Latinas as an electoral force.
"Can you hear that?" said Sindy Benavides, LULAC national chief executive officer. "That is the thunderous sound of millions of Latinas rushing with deliberate urgency to thousands of polling sites across our country, casting the most important collective vote in our nation's modern history. This is the moment when Latinas rise up and say with the pulling of a lever, the pressing of a button or the stroke of a pen - we vote for our hijos, our familias, our comunidad, our futuro. We vote because we are, we can, and we must ensure a better America for all!" added Benavides.
“Latina women are leaders in our country, essential workers in our communities, caregivers and decision-makers at home, and a powerful force at the ballot box. We have the power to change the outcome of this election,” said Monica Ramirez, CEO and founder of Justice for Migrant Women.“This year, Latinos make up the largest non-white voting bloc next to Black Americans. It is imperative that we uplift the voice of the Latinx community and Latina women in this country. We do not need politicians to speak for us; we need them to listen to us and let us lead.”
"The Latina vote is so critical to the issues our community cares about - the environment, access to healthcare, and justice for immigrant families. There is so much at stake right now that will determine the course of history for this nation. Now is the time to use our vote and voice to defend our communities," said Nicole Melaku, executive director of the National Partnership for New Americans.
“Latinas in Georgia have clearly dominated voter participation rates in the last few years both at the state and national level. Let’s not forget that in 2016, Latinas in Georgia had a 73.2% voter participation rate compared to a 50% national average. We are vibrant, young and growing electorate, and I couldn't be more excited to make history in this election,” said Gigi Pedraza, executive director of the Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia).
###
National Latina Engagement Day’s mission is to acknowledge, celebrate and promote the presence of Latinas as a voting force, and their leadership in civic engagement.
Lead Partners:
Abigail Zapote, Executive Director of Latinos for a Secure Retirement
Alejandra Castillo, CEO of YWCA
Alejandra Ruiz, Executive Director of Youth Engagement Fund
Alex Gomez, Co-Executive Director of LUCHA
Alicia Contreras, Executive Director of CORAZON Arizona
Ana Marie Argilagos, President of Hispanics in Philanthropy
Andrea Mercado, Executive Director of New Florida Majority
Beatriz Acevedo, Co-Founder and CEO of SUMA Wealth
Cristina Caballero, President/CEO of Dialogue on Diversity
Diana Rodriguez, President of Latinas Lead CA
Gigi Pedraza, Executive Director of Latino Community Foundation Georgia
Gina Jackson, Co-Director of Return to the Heart Foundation
Greisa Martinez Rosas, Executive Director of United We Dream Action
Irene Godinez, Executive Director of Poder NC
Kristen Urquiza, Co-founder of Marked by Covid
Laura Dent, Executive Director of CHISPA Arizona
Maria Rodriguez, Executive Director of Florida Immigration Coalition
Maricela Gutierrez, Executive Director of SIREN
Marielena Hincapie, Executive Director of National Immigration Law Center
Mayra Macias, Executive Director of Latino Victory
Melissa Morales, Executive Director of Somos Votantes
Monica Ramirez, Founder and President of Justice for Migrant Women and Latinx House, Founding Principal of She Se Puede
Montserrat Arrellano, Executive Director of One AZ
Nicole Melaku, Executive Director of National Partnership for New Americans
Sarah Audelo, Executive Director of Alliance for Youth Action
Sindy Benavides, CEO of LULAC
Stephanie Valencia, Co-Founder and President of Equislabs
Ximena Hartsock, Co-Founder and President of Phone 2 Action
Xochitl Oseguera, Mamas con Poder
Yadira Sanchez, Co-Executive Director of Poder Latinx
Additional Partners:
Collegiate LULAC Council
League of Women Voters Florida
National Voter Registration Day
People for the American Way Foundation
State Voices National
Vote Early Day and Univision