The excitement that has invigorated Democrats everywhere with the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris was evident at the Bala Golf Club on September 5th when Dr. Ann Steiner hosted a Represent PA “friendsraiser.” With the focus on Black maternal health and reproductive justice, over 20 doctors and others in the health field helped sponsor the event, including the Physicians for a Healthy Pennsylvania
The keynote speaker was Alexia Doumbouya, award-winning international speaker and Founder and President of Cocolife.black. Alexia holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and is a certified childbirth educator and doula. She spoke passionately about the social determinants of health and the work she and her sister doulas (of which 16 were in the audience) have done to try to combat the alarming pregnancy-related mortality rates in the Commonwealth, particularly for Blacks.
Legislators who spoke to the crowd included U.S. Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, who kicked off the event, PA Representative and House Speaker Joanna MClinton, and PA Representatives Gina H. Curry and Morgan Cephas (both of whom co-chair the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus).
Other PA legislators attending the event were Senators Maria Collett and Amanda Cappelletti, and Representative Mary Jo Daley. Also on hand was Elizabeth Moro, the Represent-PA endorsed candidate for PA House.
There were over 110 people attending who, at the time of the event, were able to raise $47,000 to support Represent PA’s endorsed incumbents and candidates for this crucial election.
– Karen Gelman, Represent PA volunteer
