2:30 pm – The Women at the Table of Power conference, a program of WiLL and WAND, opens with Congresswoman Donna Edwards. Georgia’s very own, State Senator Nan Orrock, is the President of WiLL (the Women Legislators’ Lobby).
2:45 pm:Congresswoman Edwards talks to the audience about rebuilding infrastructure, affordable healthcare, and international relationships.
On healthcare, Cong. Edwards says “what we do on healthcare matters not just what it brings to America but what it brings to the rest of world.” I think if many of our representatives had a more global approach to health care reform they would easily see that a public option would help more Americans stay healthier and more productive.
US and the Middle East: Cong. Edwards agrees with the President that the Arab leaders have a major role in bringing stability and a responsibility to the Middle East. Believes women need to be engaged in the conversation on Peace. We have an obligation as Americans to understand what is going on in the Middle East, humanitarian, national security, and social issues.
Peace relationships: Cong. Edwards says that for Peace to attain there has to be a give and take and the best role for the US is to be a facilitator. We can not use the historical issues as an excuse to stand on the sidelines.
Cong. Edwards says that we as a public should hold our Congressfolks accountable, Point out how their relationships with lobbyists should be public. Public exposure will get results.
3:15 pm: Merle Cuttitta, President, Local 500 of SEIU
Best quote evah: “If you are not at the table then you are on the menu”
Says that America needs the Employers Free Choice Act so employees can negotiate their wages just like CEOs of major corporations.
3:30 pm: Staff Sergeant Genevieve Chase, founder and executive director of American Women Veterans
Discussing about women serviing in Afghanistan. Also about the lack of care and assistance for veterans.
Needs to address some basic VA issues which can help veterans – send emails to veterans along with snail mail, make enrollment to the Veteran Administrations mandatory prior to leaving the military, streamline the DoD and VA records, allow continuity of care between the VA hospitals by making medical records online, and create a counselor sponsorship program.
Another great quote: “doing the right thing is always the most cost effective solution to everything”
There are no real statistics on how many veterans need help because so many veterans don’t come forward. Especially women veterans. 1 in 200 women have fought for America in the last 10 years of war.
4:24 pm: Notes from Celinda Lake:(Celinda is not here, stuck on a plane)
– more women vote than men, women will vote more progressively than men, candidates speak to men when they should be speaking to women.
Top 3 issues are health care, the economy, and the wars
7:00 pm: at our “dine around dinners” on new social media. Hosts are Jane Hamsher, of firedoglake.com, and Shireen Mitchell, of Digital Sisters.
Shireen is now explaining to the audience the difference between online communications and the percentage of Americans online with a social media profile: (folks that are a part of the social media networking) by the Pew Center on Internet and American Life
Women = 35%
18-24 yrd olds = 75%
25-34 yrs. old = 57%
35-44 yrs old = 30%
45+= less than 10%
White = 31%
Black = 43%
Hispanic = 48%
Jane Hamsher tells the audience that every email address is worth $2.00 in online fundraising. Letting them know that collecting email addresses helps them control their message, fundraising, and communicate. “digital doorknocking”. She is now explaining the tools:
Twitter – the ability to communicate in real time and distribute it amongst a large group of people. Use their position in the community to help shape the message.
Shireen is letting the women understand about “following” – you don’t have to follow people who don’t have the same interests.
OK anarchy is breaking out now. We are now breaking the group into beginners and intermediate users.
My brain is hurting now…
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