WASHINGTON DC | December 4--D&P Creative Strategies and Poder PAC congratulate two Latina Members of Congress who reached an important milestone in Congress.  Elected by unanimous consent, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA | 38) and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM | 1) will be leading the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) as the caucus’s new Chair and 1st Vice Chair, respectively. For the first time since the creation of the CHC, two Latina women will occupy the highest leadership seats in the caucus.

As immigration reform and the 2016 elections are pushed to the forefront of American domestic policy, it is important to have leaders who understand and represent the issues and challenges faced by the Latino community. These two Latina women are not only effective policy makers who dedicate their life to public service, but they are also exemplary role models for Latinas across the country. When asked what we should expect out of the dynamic duo leading the CHC, Chairwoman Sánchez stated, “It’s a new day.”

Congresswoman Linda Sánchez is recognized as the leading voice for working families, judiciary, and trade matters. She is also known to be a breaker of barriers in Congress serving as the first Latina in history on the House Judiciary and the House Ways and Means Committees.

Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, Poder PAC's first successful endorsee for the U.S. Congress, was previously the CHC’s Whip and is recognized as the leading voice for building an economy and protecting seniors. In the 113th Congress, Lujan Grisham serves as the Hispanic voice on the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on the Budget, and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Their dedication, hard work, and ability to stand against the current have allowed the unheard voices of many to be represented at the highest platform of public dialogue. Both Congresswoman Sanchez and Congresswoman Lujan Grisham are characterized by a potent energy and complete devotion to bettering the Hispanic community that is sure to lead the CHC into another year of great policy-making and success. We commend your work, continued dedication to our community, and the desire to change the norm.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 8, 2014 – On September 15, 2014 PODER PAC’s Honorary Co-Chair, Rosie Perez, officially joined ABC’s Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show “The View,” as the first Latina co-host in the show’s 17-year history. Along with Whoopie Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, and the debut of Nicolle Wallace, “The View” began its 18th season with a new set, a new logo, and a new perspective.

Rosie Perez is an Academy Award nominated actress, an Emmy nominated choreographer, a documentary director, and an author. However, Rosie has also devoted her time to increasing awareness of important social issues and challenges facing Latino women. She is an out-spoken supporter of Latina empowerment, and an activist for Puerto Rican rights and HIV awareness. She currently serves on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and is head of the Artistic Board for the Union Arts Partnership, which is an arts education organization that brings dance, theater, film, poetry and fine arts to students in Harlem, the Bronx and the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She has served as the National Spokesperson for Comite Noviembre Puerto Rican Heritage and is a member of the Women for Peace & Justice in Vieques, Puerto Rico which aims to end the Navy’s use of that island as a test-bombing site.

We would like to offer our most sincere congratulations to Rosie who is an exemplary member of the Latino community, and thank her for her continued support and dedication to our national network. It is without a doubt that having a Latina with a serious devotion to social issues like Rosie Perez on “The View” will continue empowering Latinas nation-wide, and bring much needed representation of Latina women in the world of entertainment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Anais Carmona |703-901-7144  | Acarmona@dpcreativestrativestrategies.com

Voto Latino, Mi Familia Vota, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latino Victory Project, Cosmo Latina, PODER PAC and more than 50 other Partners Launch Robust National Voter Registration Drive

#PowerOfOurVote Hispanic Heritage Month of Action campaign to deliver record Latino turnout for 2014 Midterm Elections.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sept. 15, 2014 – Today, more than 50 partners are launching an online voter registration campaign in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Our collective voice will ensure elected officials no longer ignore us or the issues that impact the Latino community.

The campaign kick-off urges Latinos to register to vote and then take their families, neighbors, and friends to the ballot box on Election Day, November 4. Only by exercising the power of their vote, can the Latino community influence real policy changes.

The campaign will launch a national “Hispanic Heritage Month of Action” and will have three main voter registration pushes: today (September 15), September 23 (National Voter Registration Day), and October 15 (the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month). The initiative is the first of its kind to mobilize Latinos during Hispanic Heritage Month and brings together partners across all industries to put the needs of the Latino community above individual politics.

Hispanic Heritage Month of Action relies heavily on digital and social media assets, along with ground components in key states, including outreach to young Latinos who have reached voting age. The initiative is led online by Voto Latino, on the ground by Mi Familia Vota in key Latino states, and nationally with partners, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, ImpreMedia, Entravision, Liberman Broadcasting, Cosmo Latina, Being Latino, Alliance for Citizenship, Latino Victory Project and others.* Voto Latino Chairwoman Rosario Dawson, Voto Latino Artist Coalition co-Chairs America Ferrera and Wilmer Valderrama, and Latino Victory Project co-founder Eva Longoria are also lending their voices to the campaign, which runs through October 15, the last day of Hispanic Heritage Month.

"It's our time, and we need to show the power of our collective voice by participating in every aspect of civic engagement," said Ingrid M. Duran, Chairwoman, PODER PAC. "If every eligible Latino registers to vote and votes we can have a voice in American Politics and a voice at the table."

“We are calling American Latinos to rise above our political differences and to unite as a community this November,” said María Teresa Kumar, President and CEO, Voto Latino. “Today and for the next month, we will show that Latinos stand tall because we have pride in our culture, and we recognize the power of our vote.”

Ben Monterroso, Executive Director, Mi Familia Vota, said the Latino community will not remain silent after the political stalemate in Washington over immigration reform, because, “Latinos understand that the only real way to impact our future is with a strong showing of our voting power. We began the immigration debate with our record turnout in the 2012 election, and we will continue fighting for our community and for immigration reform by voting.”

“Pride in our Latino culture includes pride in our Nation. As Americans, we are proud to exercise our right to vote and elect officials who reflect the values of our communities. We stand with our partners to mobilize our communities, register our family and friends, and ensure a path to reach the polls on Election Day,” said Cristóbal Alex, President of the Latino Victory Project. “Exercising our right to vote builds power in the Latino community so that the faces and voices of Latinos are reflected at every level of government and in the policies that drive our country forward.”

More than 7.8 million Latinos are expected to vote this November, up from 6.6 million Latinos who voted in the last midterm election in 2010, according to projections by National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). The record Latino voter turnout in 2012 propelled immigration to the top of the policy agenda. Latino voters must be heard again to create the political climate to find solutions for immigration, the economy, and other issues important to the Latino community.

For more information about Hispanic Heritage Month of Action, visit www.latinos2014.com or find the voter registration toolkit at www.poderpac.com

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* List of Partner Orgs:

Voto Latino, Mi Familia Vota, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Alliance for Citizenship, America’s Voice, Being Latino, Brown Beauty Productions, Casa de Esperanza, Center for Community Change, Colorado Immigration Voter Accountability Project, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Cosmo Latina, D&P Creative Strategies, Entravision, Familia Es Familia, Fox News Latino, Friends of the American Latino Museum, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, Hispanic Federation, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Hispanic National Bar Association, Hispanic Technology and Communications Partnership, Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, ImpreMedia, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, Latino List, Latino Victory Project, League of United Latin American Citizens, Liberman Broadcasting, Media Matters, Nacional Records, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, National Council of La Raza, National Hispana Leadership Institute, National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, New America Alliance, Poder PAC, SEIU, SER-Jobs for Progress National, Inc., The Adelante Movement, The Latino Coalition, U.S.-Mexico Foundation, Diego Bernal, Rosario Dawson, Fernando Espuelas, America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Wilmer Valderrama

An exciting new report by Nielsen outlines the role(s) of Latinas in transforming the fabric of our country:

Latinas, are the growth engine of the U.S. female population and are expected to represent 30 percent of the total female population by 2060, while the non-Hispanic white female population is expected to drop to 43 percent.

Latinas are becoming more educated, tech savvy and connected, allowing them
to write their own destinies and challenge the dynamic of Hispanic households.
With 86 percent of Latina women at the helm of purchasing decisions in households, the times are changing and economic power is shifting.

 “Latinas are a key driver of economic influence, giving marketers an opportunity to establish new and loyal consumer relationships by acknowledging the needs and following the unique behavior trends of Hispanic women,” said Mónica Gil senior vice president, public affairs and government relations.

Read more...

PODER PAC warmly welcomes a number of new Board Members who bring a wide array of perspectives, professional experiences, and geographic diversity. 

Lisa Baltazar, New York
Patricia Campos-Medina, New Jersey
Delia Garcia, Washington DC
Maribel Medina, California
Cindy Pena, Colorado

The addition of our new Board members expands the reach and capacity of our organization and will increase our ability to strategically expand the number of candidates endorsed, promoted, and supported by PODER PAC.  In addition to the above new Board members, we are excited to announce the return of founding Board member Grace Garcia, Texas. 

Look for additional updates and information on the many candidates we intend to highlight and support. 

The 2013 Poder PAC Inauguration
celebration at the Microsoft offices in downtown Washington, D.C., was an incredible success and an inspirational call to action.  

And we could not have done it without YOU.

 Your support, either by joining us, contributing, or spreading the word has kicked off our 2013 effort to change the face of politics.

And we are just getting started. 

This was an incredible opportunity to celebrate our national and local Latina leaders, we were thrilled to be joined by U.S. Labor Department Secretary Hilda Solis, US Treasurer  Rosie Rios, Rep. Lucille Roybal- Allard, Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rep. Gloria Negrete McCloud, civil rights icon ad leader Dolores Huerta, National Political Director for the Obama  Campaign, Katherine Archuleta, Actress Rosario Dawson and Media mogul and Latina entrepreneur, Nely Galan.  

We are thrilled to share some exciting news, Grace Garcia  a founding board Member of PODER PAC who left the PAC Board to join Secretary Clinton at the US Department of State has been selected as the first Latina Executive Director of Annie's List click here to read the press release announcing Grace Garcia as the new ED. We look forward to working with Grace in her new capacity and to turning Texas Blue in the next election cycle. 

Our goals are big. 

Our mission is important. 

And we cannot do it without YOU.

Thank you again. Best, 

Ingrid Duran, PODER PAC Chair
and Catherine Pino, PODER PAC Treasurer

The past two days rapidly passed and reminded everyone of the important work we have left to do.  There remain a few primary elections and the upcoming General Election of 2012 is fast approaching. 

PODER PAC is focused on ensuring that our endorsed candidates receive national support from Latinas interested in growing the bench of Latina leaders.  Please take a look at these inspirational women here.

The 2012 national conference provided candidates, elected officials, and young Latinas interested in elected office to come together, establish new friendships, provide advice, encouragement, and strategies that will allow us to increase the number of Latinas in elected office. 

Please take a look at the PODER PAC 2012 endorsed candidates here and determine how you could help them.  Consider liking their facebook page, following them on twitter, volunteering in person, or making a monetary donation.  

We also are challenging PODER PAC members and supporters to do the same for PODER PAC and to recruit ten others.   

Monday, June 18th, 2012
Credit Union House
403 C St NE
Washington, DC 20002

5:00 PM-6:00 PM Event Registration

6:00PM-8:00PM Reception for Event Chairs
Hosts: Ingrid Duran & Catherine Pino
Co-Founders Poder PAC

Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, Chair CHC
Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, Chair Bold PAC
Rep. Grace Napolitano
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard
Rep. Loretta Sanchez
Rep. Linda Sanchez
*Other CHC Members Invited

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012
Inspiring Latinas on the Move
National Education Association
1201 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20005

8:00 AM-8:30 AM
Event Registration / Networking Hour

8:15 AM-9:15 AM
KICK OFF BREAKFAST
“Empowering the Next Generation of Change-Makers”
Introduction- Ingrid Duran and Catherine Pino
Welcome- Lily Eskelsen, Vice President, NEA
Video and Presentation- Marisa Rivera, Founder of Mpowerment Works
Emcee- Giselle Fernandez

9:30 AM-10:30 AM
Panel Discussion #1
“2012 Political Landscape and Latinas in the Press”
Panelist- Delia Garcia, former KS State Representative
Panelist- Maria Cardona, Democratic Strategist
Moderator - Giselle Fernandez

10:45 AM-11:45 AM
Panel Discussion #2
“Candidate Commentary”
Panelist- Mary Gonzalez, Texas State Representative
Panelist- Michelle Lujan Grisham, Congressional Candidate NM-1
Moderator - Giselle Fernandez

12:15 PM-1:45 PM
Wrap Up / KEY NOTE LUNCHEON
Introduction-Lydia Madrigal & Joelle Martinez
Poder PAC Board Members
Keynote- Nely Galan
Founder of The Adelante Movement
Wrap-Up- Ingrid Duran and Catherine Pino
Emcee- Giselle Fernandez