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Dear Friend,
This week’s newsletter reflects on the We Are EMILY Gala, discusses Mobile Office Hours provided by my team, and highlights select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.
We Are EMILY Gala
Last Wednesday, I attended the 40th Anniversary celebration of EMIlY’s List We Are EMILY Gala in Washington, D.C., with hundreds of other pro-choice Democratic elected officials, candidates, and supporters from across the nation.
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The theme of the evening was the growing power of women, politically, economically, and socially, despite the incredible challenges that continue to face all women in this country and abroad. This growing strength comes from collective action, unifying visions around core socio-economic concerns such as paid family and medical leave, childcare accessibility and affordability, relieving issues of poverty and fighting for economic justice, protections for reproductive health care, and funding public education.
Although these concerns are typically framed in the contexts of “women’s issues,” in reality, they are family and social issues. Studies show that parental leave leads to improved mental and physical health in childhood [[link removed]] . Additionally, child care is an urgent necessity for most families: more than two-thirds of children in the United States have working parents [[link removed]] , and yet waitlists and cost barriers make critical support out-of-reach. Women, particularly women of color, are more likely to live in poverty than men [[link removed]] , calling upon us to find solutions based on the intersectionality of gender, race, and economics. Ensuring access to reproductive health care such as contraception, which is used by 99% of American women at some point in their lives [[link removed]] , gives women the ability to meet their family planning goals by deciding whether, when, and how to have children. Fully funding public education, a sector in which over 75% of the workforce is women [[link removed].] , and supporting other areas in which women are traditionally employed elevates economic opportunities for women and the families they support. These policy and economic concerns have consequences far beyond individuals; they impact entire communities and deserve to be seen as essential priorities.
We celebrated Mother’s Day yesterday in this country, and throughout the day I read so many heartfelt reflections of love and gratitude directed towards mothers and mother-figures. The phrase “to mother” strikes a unique chord. It means “to nurture,” “to care for,” “to protect,” and so much more. As we think about critical policy decisions, we have the opportunity to consider how we as a society can better support families so that we help women and their families strengthen the core foundations that support us all.
Mobile Office Hours - Wednesday, May 14
This Wednesday, May 14, my staff will be hosting Mobile Office Hours at Broad Rock Library in the City of Richmond from 5:00PM until 6:30PM. Staff will be able to assist with casework involving state agencies, discuss legislative concerns, and receive feedback from constituents on issues that matter to them. Registration is open [[link removed]] . ¿Necesita servicios en español? Haga clic aquí [[link removed]] . Future mobile office hours will be announced in this newsletter, as well as on my Facebook [[link removed]] , Instagram [[link removed]] , and X [[link removed]] .
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Select Community Engagements
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Thursday afternoon, I traveled to Orange County to join members of the Lake of the Woods Democratic Club to share my vision for the office of Lieutenant Governor during this inflection point in our nation's history, and its effect on millions of Virginians. I stand ready to help protect and find solutions for all affected communities.
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Later that evening, I joined the NAACP Goochland County Branch to hear the impact our federal and state leaders' rhetoric and policy choices are currently having on diverse communities. The conversation was robust, and I appreciated the questions asked by members.
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On Saturday morning, I joined canvassers in Chesterfield County to mark the 37 days left of early voting before Primary election day on June 17th. As I travel across Virginia, voters are choosing to move past the failed policy priorities of this current administration and are eager to chart a new path for the next four years.
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Shortly after, I traveled to Williamsburg to meet the Historic Triangle Democrats to share my vision for the office of Lieutenant Governor. The grit and values that so many Democrats have shared with me on the campaign trail are the same priorities I have championed in the Virginia Senate. I look forward to continuing this work as Lieutenant Governor.
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I thank former Governor and First Lady Ralph and Pam Northam for joining me as Special Guests at a wonderful event for our campaign in Suffolk on Saturday afternoon. I also thank Paul Chhabra for such wonderful hospitality and dinner at Rajput Indian Cuisine [[link removed][0]=AZUysbgdSABAONkgwPvwE05hDtp73kqCvLCD1QLmRVf9TN8MxWzlCXjk4sBhMfCM8qRiaWF7JHcNuUNOrnoUubh_jWjkP44BGYjnH1UOtogtlDyMoPPihGvp-AV_49ZdQ1Lagjtq4PvTeqrCq__uaVmbru7XBWhWhIOiS3FN3dbjDHL9cphyS0GuEGdp_tAojzOnlNWQ1WeheVEU3-Up12l4&__tn__=kK-R] . Together, we’re ready to bring new statewide leadership to Virginia this year.
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Last but certainly not least, I was pleased to join House of Delegates candidates Dr. Mark Downey and Virgil Thornton on Saturday evening back in Williamsburg. Their dedication and community leadership will be critical to supporting the lives of millions of Virginians in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: [email protected] [gmail.com]
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here [[link removed]] .
— Ghazala
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