Emerge Vermont, the state’s premier organization for recruiting and training Democratic women to run for office, announced today that they will be holding a gala event to celebrate the organization’s 10th Anniversary.
The event, “A Formal Evening of Gratitude and Celebration: Raising a Glass to 10 Successful Years,” will honor Emerge Vermont’s founder, former Governor Madeleine Kunin, as well as its founding directors, board members, alums and supporters.
“In 2013, Governor Madeleine Kunin wanted to make her vision of more Democratic women serving in elected office a reality. She created Emerge Vermont. Ten years later, Emerge Vermont has made a difference. Women’s representation in government has increased significantly since Governor Kunin brought her vision to life,” said Elaine Haney, Executive Director of Emerge Vermont. “We have much more work to do. But before we continue on our incredible path, it’s time to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished.”
The celebration will be held on Saturday, September 23rd at 6:30 PM at The Barn at Lang Farm in Essex Junction and tickets are available now.
Many special guests will be attending the celebration, including Emerge President A’shanti Gholar. Gholar is a nationally recognized political strategist who served as the National Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Director of African American Engagement for the Democratic National Committee. She has also served as the Manager of National Partnerships for United Way Worldwide, as a political appointee in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor, and as the Director of Public Engagement for the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee. In addition, she serves as a Sisters on the Planet Ambassador for OxFam America, an Equity Advisor for Sephora, and as an Advisory Board Member for Global GAIN. She is also the founder of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics, an award-winning podcast.
Other special guests include U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), as well as many alum legislators, elected officials, and supporters who have grown Emerge Vermont over the years.
“The evening will celebrate the many women who made Emerge Vermont what it is today. And we’ll top it off with a dance party with special guest DJ Ryan Miller of Guster,” said Haney. “We’re planning a gala evening full of gratitude, fun, and celebration. And we’ll raise our glasses to our visionary founder, Madeleine Kunin, who will also be celebrating her 90th birthday the following week.”
Emerge Vermont is holding a gift card drive during the event to support Vermonters who were impacted by July’s catastrophic flooding. Guests attending the event are asked to bring a VISA gift card to be collected and distributed to organizations supporting flood relief in Barre City and the Northeast Kingdom.