Emerging at the 2016 Democratic National Convention!

Last week was an incredible experience for Emerge America!

We’ve never been more proud of our alumnae, staff, executive directors and board members. Members of the Emerge America team took the stage, led major discussions and gave speeches at events during the Democratic National Convention. It was great to have our Emerge network from around the country come together and celebrate the nomination of Hillary Clinton as the first woman to top a major party ticket.

Two Emerge women took the main stage at the Democratic National Convention to give remarks! Emerge Nevada alumna Astrid Silva spoke on Monday about the importance of immigration reform and what it would mean to her and other DREAMers to have pathways to permanent residency and citizenship. On Thursday, Emerge Colorado advisory board member and Colorado House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran gave remarks about important issues affecting the Democratic Party in 2016.

The amazing things Emerge women did during the DNC didn’t stop there. Emerge America Political Director A’shanti Gholar participated in a “Next Generation of Black Women Leaders” panel at the Black Caucus where she discussed the need for more women of color to run for office, the importance of mentorship and our new Emerge America initiative to have more women run for law enforcement and criminal justice positions. Andrea Dew Steele, President of Emerge America, had the opportunity to speak at the Feminist Majority’s “Equalitea” on what a momentous occasion it is to be nominating Hillary Clinton and the importance of continuing to build off this historic event by redoubling our efforts to engage and inspire women to run for office.

Please check out some of our favorite pictures from the Convention on Facebook!

The Emerge Booth

Emerge America hosted a booth at the Pennsylvania Convention Center throughout the Democratic National Convention. It gave visitors to the DNCC a chance to stop by at any time and hear about the work that our organization is doing, pick up Emerge America information and swag and purchase t-shirts. A big thank you to all those who took the time out of their schedules to volunteer.

Emerge VT Executive Director Ruth Hardy and alumna Shonita Roach working the booth!

Taste of Emerge Breakfast

On Tuesday morning, Emerge America held the Taste of Emerge Breakfast, a mini training meant to give women who are considering running or participating in a program like ours a sample of what we can offer them.

Many thanks to our special guest Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) for joining us and delivering remarks.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici

Judy Neufeld (Emerge America Senior Advisor) giving “Taste of Emerge” training

Emerge America Convention Reception

Tuesday afternoon, Emerge America was thrilled to host a reception at the Pyramid Club in downtown Philadelphia. We were grateful to be joined by over 200 alumnae, board members, staff and supporters to talk about the important work Emerge does and to celebrate the successes of our alumnae and state affiliates. Emerge continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and we owe our amazing network of women for our continued success.

Our sincerest appreciation to our special guests, Hon. Wendy Davis, founder of Deeds Not Words, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Emerge alums: Maine House Asst. Majority Leader Sara Gideon and Oregon House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson and DCCC Executive Director Kelly Ward.

Our deepest thanks also goes out to our partners and sponsors: Quinn Delaney & Wayne Jordan, Rita Isaacs, JoAnn Loulan, Amy Pearl, Laure Woods, SEIU, Nonie Greene, Susan Hyatt, Jennifer A. Moore, American Federation of Government Employees, Susan Pritzker, Eve Coulson, Pamela Eakes, The Feminist Majority, Mary Beth Gray, Amb. Eleni Kounalakis, Ellen McCoy, McKenna Pihlaja, Sharon Meers, PledgeUp, SpeakEasy Political, The Shatter Fund, Melanie Vinson, Carol & Terry Winograd, Catalist, Marcia Marley, Nancy Kirshner Rodriguez, Tracey Turner, Patsy Woods Matin, and Lynn Yeakel.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown

Hon. Wendy Davis

The Emerge Lounge

Finally on Wednesday afternoon, we hosted an Emerge Lounge in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It was a great chance for the public to come by and hear about the work Emerge does straight from our amazing executive directors, staffers and board members.

Many thanks to special guests former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin, Emerge Massachusetts Advisory Council member and Boston City Councilor At-Large Ayanna Pressley, Sully Pinos, chief of staff for Pennsylvania State Rep. Kevin Schreiber, and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Boston City Council Member Ayanna Pressley

Former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin

Emerge in the Press

Emerge America was also featured in the media during the Convention!

Our President, Andrea Dew Steele, had the opportunity to publish a Huffington Post blog on Why the Democrats Don’t Have More Tim Kaines.

In addition, Andrea was also featured in an article about how President Obama could be helpful to Sec. Clinton’s campaign.

Several documentary crews working on films about women in politics and the historic nature of this election stopped by our events to interview Andrea and our alums.

Our reception got covered in Bloomberg Marketwatch.

And Emerge America Political Director A’shanti Gholar appeared on NewsOne Now with Roland Martin.

Emerge Wisconsin Executive Director Erin Forrest appeared on Devil’s Advocates Radio to give a live update from the Wells Fargo Center.

Emerge Pennsylvania inaugural class alumnae Gillian Kratzer talked about how Hillary Clinton’s historic nomination could help recruit more women to run in the Allentown Morning Call.

Emerge Maryland Board Chair Martha McKenna shared her thoughts on the historic nature of Hillary Clinton’s nomination in the Baltimore Sun.

Emerge New Jersey Founder Myra Terry talked about what Sec. Clinton’s nomination could mean for the next generation of women leaders.

And one of Emerge America’s wonderful Temple University / Washington Center intern volunteers talked about her excitement to work with our organization during the convention on Philly.com.

Thank you for your support!

It’s such an exciting time at Emerge America. We have the largest number of our alumnae on the ballot ever – over 326! And we are confident that come November, we’ll have the most Emerge women in elected office in our organization’s history. Our wonderful state programs are beginning their recruitment for their next class of aspiring women politicos and we’re looking to expand into new states in the coming year.

Thanks again to our wonderful staff, executive directors, alumnae and supporters for all that you’ve done and continue to do. Let’s make 2016 a banner year for Emerge and for women in politics as we seek to elect the first woman president and the most Emerge women to office ever!