Dear Friend,
 
This past year and a half of the pandemic has challenged us in ways we never imagined possible.  At the same time, amidst so much loss and isolation, we found inspiration in the determination and dedication of so many of our fellow Americans who worked to help us get through this unprecedented time.
 
Despite the difficulties, in 2020 American citizens voted in record numbers, as they – as we – were more determined than ever to have leaders who reflected the values of the people they served.  What a powerful and essential act of involved citizenship.  My late husband, Senator Edward Kennedy, spent his career fighting to expand access to the voting booth, and I can’t help but think how thrilled he would have been to see such record participation. 
 
Not everyone seems to be thrilled with expanded participation, however, as there are many attempts around the country right now to make voting laws more restrictive.  Historically, this is not a new phenomenon as we hope to show at a new voting rights exhibit at the Kennedy Institute planning. Will you make a gift today to help make that exhibit a reality?

Fifty years ago, in 1971, our nation ratified the 26^th Amendment to the Constitution, lowering the voting age for all elections to 18 years old.  Ted Kennedy was a major sponsor of that Amendment and the federal legislation that preceded it.  He also was a key player in all the voting rights legislation in this country from the 1960s through his death in 2009. We will highlight all those battles in our exhibit because we believe that by understanding the voting rights battles of the past, we can help put in context and help illuminate a path forward in the voting rights battles of today.

But we cannot create this important exhibit without your support. Please donate to the Kennedy Institute today to support this new exhibit. No amount is too small to help inspire the next generation of leaders to continue our nation on the path of what Ted Kennedy called our March for Progress.
 
With great appreciation,

Victoria Reggie Kennedy
Co-Founder and President of the Board