It Starts With States

Nicole Zambrano, Sister District Project, Guest Presenter April 2025 Membership Meeting

Presentation Cover Page linked to pdf of full presentation by Sister District Project Guest Speaker.
Click on image above to download PDF of presentation.

WHAT IS SISTER DISTRICT PROJECT?

Sister District Project, founded after the 2016 election, works to turn states from red to blue by winning state legislative elections. They work directly with campaigns to get out the vote and support the candidates who most need assistance. Sister District pairs volunteers from blue areas of the country with specific and strategic down-ballot races in other areas.

Continue reading “It Starts With States”

Political Affairs Report: April 2025

LOCAL UPDATE:

Roanoke County School Board Candidates

Candidates have stepped up in all three Roanoke County school board district races to oppose the extremists whose seats are open this fall. Be on the lookout for more information on these candidates.

This opportunity to bring common sense back to Roanoke County Schools is important for the entire Roanoke Valley.  School board seats, by Virginia law, are non-partisan. No party designation will appear on the ballot. However, never forget that all three incumbents proudly associate themselves with the Republican Party. 

STATE UPDATE:

As expected, when the General Assembly reconvened April 2nd, they rejected most of Governor Youngkin’s legislative amendments, sending bills back to him and thus forcing him to outright veto or approve the bills as they were written.  We are still awaiting the Governor’s decision on these bills; many we are following such as the Right to Contraception and the Conference Budget which removes the support cap that has limited public school funding. Read more here:

https://www.vpm.org/news/2025-04-02/glenn-youngkin-don-scott-mamie-locke-delegates-state-senators-virginia

Continue reading “Political Affairs Report: April 2025”

Forum: Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidates Shared Roanoke Stage

On April 23rd, voters had a unique opportunity to hear directly from five of the six Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia at a highly anticipated candidate forum in Roanoke, hosted by Roanoke Valley Democratic Women and Red Wine and Blue Virginia. This event was one of the rare occasions where full slate of contenders appeared together ahead of the June primary, offering voters a closer look at a diverse, dynamic field in one of the most competitive statewide primaries in recent years.

Ghazala Hashmi, Babur Lateef, Aaron Rouse, Victor Salgado and Levar Stoney responded to questions on a range of critical issues affecting southwest Virginians, including economic development, education, healthcare, climate, and voting rights. (Alex Bastani was unable to attend due to illness.)

“This was an important opportunity for southwest Virginians to hear from the people who are hoping to serve as the Commonwealth’s next Lieutenant Governor,” said Sarah Goodman, RVDW Political Affairs Chair and Regional Organizer for Red Wine and Blue Virginia. “We were proud to bring this level of access and civic engagement to Roanoke.”

Great Results at Dems After Dark Supplies Drive

THANK YOU ALL for your donations to The Grove on Patterson at our March 18, 2025 Dems After Dark event. The shelves of the soon-to-open facility are filling up thanks to the generous, caring people of the Roanoke Valley.

Contact The Grove on Patterson to find out how you can continue to support their volunteer, supply, and financial resources to serve pregnant women grappling with substance use disorder, addressing increased risks that can impact prenatal health and child development.

The Grove on Patterson
info@thegroveonpatterson.org
PO Box 20062
Roanoke, VA 24018

DEI: What it IS and What it IS NOT

Tanisha Nash, Guest Presenter

Click on image above to download PDF of presentation.

DEI: WHAT IT IS

DEI stands for DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION

Diversity: Acknowledging and embracing differences in race, gender, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc.
Equity: Ensuring fair treatment, access, opportunities, and resources for all, while addressing any imbalances.
Inclusion: Actively fostering an environment where diverse individuals feel a sense of belonging and contribution.

DEI is an organizational framework that seeks to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination based on how they identify.

DEI: WHAT IT IS NOT


DEI is not about meeting quotas or tokenism. It’s not about excluding one group to uplift another. Instead, it is about systemic change — creating fair opportunities for everyone and addressing biases that often go unnoticed.

Continue reading “DEI: What it IS and What it IS NOT”

2025 General Assembly session is adjourned

Updates with Action Items
Reported by Sarah Goodman, Political Affairs Chair

General Assembly Update 2025
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS PROCEED

Right to Reproductive Freedom (HJ1, Delegate Herring and SJ247, Senator Boysko)
Right to Marry (HJ9, Delegate Sickles and SJ249, Senator Ebbin) with bipartisan support
Right to Vote (HJ2, Delegate Bennett-Parker and SJ248, Senator Locke)

All three of the constitutional amendments have passed both the House and Senate! Three Republicans crossed party lines to vote in favor of the Right to Marry including Sens. David R. Suetterlein (Roanoke), J.D. “Danny” Diggs (York) and Tara Durant (Stafford). As we were reminded at January’s meeting, the constitutional amendment process is long. All three will have to be approved again in next year’s General Assembly session; then they will advance to a statewide referendum in November 2026. We must keep our General Assembly blue and work to elect Democrats this fall!

Continue reading “2025 General Assembly session is adjourned”

Virginia is STILL for Voters

A message from RVDW President Wanda Ostrander

Dear RVDW members and friends,

For the last few weeks, we’ve all been recovering from the hard work of the 2024 campaign year and the disappointment of the outcome in the race to win the White House and majorities in the US Senate and US House of Representatives. While 2024 did not end as we had envisioned, Virginia stayed BLUE. We sent Sen. Tim Kaine back to Washington as our US Senator. Roanoke City voters held on to a strong Democratic majority on council by electing Joe Cobb as Mayor, Terry McGuire as Vice Mayor, and Phazhon Nash as Councilman. Be proud of these wins. Your hard work matters!

As the saying goes, Virginia is for Voters. We vote EVERY year. Virginia must again STAY BLUE this November! Now is the time to renew our focus on issues and plans of action to make sure we keep our majority in both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly and also take back the executive offices in Richmond. Our new Board of Officers, elected at our October meeting, is energized and ready to get to work with you. 

Our work is clearly cut out for us, and we can’t do the hard work ahead without you. Let’s kick off 2025 with a shared, renewed commitment to RVDW, to our mission, and to our democracy. Because Virginia is STILL for voters.

Best regards,

Wanda Ostrander, President

2025 Women’s March: Hop on the Trouble Bus

Many have asked and Red Wine & Blue has delivered!

RW&B extends an invitation to RVDW members and friends to jump on the Trouble Bus to Washington DC on January 18 for the 2025 Women’s March.

Saturday, January 18, 2025
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Meet at Valley View Mall
4802 Valley View Blvd NW
Roanoke, VA 24012
Ticket price: $30

After filling out the form at this link, you will be automatically redirected to the ActBlue page to purchase your ticket. (If you cannot attend but would like to give the chance to another TroubleMaker you can sponsor a spot for any amount you choose.)

Mayor-Elect Cobb Hosting Send-off Supporting Rasoul

Roanoke City Mayor-Elect Joe Cobb invites RVDW members and friends for brunch to support Del. Sam Rasoul (D-HD38) before Sam heads to Richmond for the 2025 Legislative Session.

Saturday, January 4, 2025
10:30 am
441 Highland Ave SW
Roanoke VA 24016
RSVP Today to Show Your Support!

Delegate Rasoul has been a steadfast advocate for our region, working tirelessly to address the needs of families and students. As Chair of the Education Committee, Sam has led efforts to improve our schools, support educators, and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

This year Del. Rasoul has a challenger. Joe encourages, “Together, we can ensure Sam continues to advocate for the values and future our community deserves.”