The Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW) will host its 42nd Annual Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB) virtually from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 30. Given current redistricting issues and upcoming elections, this year’s WLB theme is “Voting Women Change Everything.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions focused on how the power of women’s votes at the ballot box influence critical legislation and policies to protect, access, and secure women’s health care, public safety, economic security, and voting rights. Melanie Campbell, president/CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, will headline this year’s WLB keynote.
“The power of the vote cannot be understated; we are a better County, State and country the more people are informed and vote,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “And this year, there will be two new seats on the County Council as well as changes in district lines for the Council and the General Assembly. It is important for people to learn about the issues and their choices for elected leaders. I am pleased that the CFW Legislative Briefing will help educate and energize voters as we head into elections.”
The event brings together advocates, allies, policymakers, and emerging leaders to empower, engage and mobilize Marylanders around issues affecting women and girls throughout the State. WLB attendees will hear from and engage with members of the Maryland General Assembly, community leaders who influence policymaking and representatives of organizations that advance the status of women and girls such as the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Maryland League of Women Voters and Healthy Democracy Healthy People.
The WLB will again host its signature Emerging Leaders sessions for middle and high schoolers. They are interactive workshops that focus on civic engagement and pathways to leadership. This year’s themes are “Educate Yourself!” and “How to Make My Voice Heard.” Students may earn up to three Student Service Learning hours by participating in the program.
Major sponsors such as AARP Maryland, Kaiser Permanente and Montgomery College join nearly 50 community organizations in supporting this event.
Register on the WLB event website. For more information, call 240-777-8300 or visit the CFW website. Follow the event using the hashtag #MoCoWLB via Twitter and Facebook.
