News & Updates

Posted on

Slide Decks & Support: Relational Organizing

At RVDW’s September 2025 monthly membership meeting, we were introduced to two opportunities to turbocharge our personal “Get Out The Vote” efforts and grow our ability to influence and engage voters. The presentation slide decks from the meeting are provided below.

Rally

Presented by Sarah Goodman, Red Wine & Blue
With Red Wine & Blue’s Rally Tool, you can GOTV from the comfort of your couch! Still need assistance after viewing the slide deck? Contact Sarah at sarahgoodman@redwine.blue.

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDES

Neighbor to Neighbor

Presented by Richard Gooding, Roanoke Social Circle
Neighbor to Neighbor is implemented in collaboration with local Democratic Committees. As a participant in the program, you will receive a list of your likeminded neighbors, training and resources on how to engage them, ongoing calls and resources to support your efforts. RSC plans to continue the Neighbor to Neighbor program through the 2026 mid-term elections. Visit Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program to register. Contact Richard “Doc” Gooding at Doc@drrzg.com if you have any questions.

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDES

Posted on

Why Campaigns Canvass

Attendees of RVDW’s August 2025 monthly membership meeting gained valuable understanding of the importance of canvassing, also known as “knocking doors.” Door-to-door canvassing allows campaigns to listen to voter concerns, answer questions, gather voter information, and encourage participation in upcoming elections. It is effective at building trust, increasing voter turnout, and persuading undecided voters by creating direct, human connections. Door-to-door canvassing remains one of the most impactful tools for mobilizing communities and winning elections.

RVDW appreciates our presenter, Emily Kate Stick of Donna Littlepage for Virginia Delegate campaign, for providing her presentation slides to share here:

CLICK TO VIEW SLIDES

About Our Presenter:

Emily Kate Stick is excited to work with the Donna Littlepage for Virginia Delegate campaign, focusing on the local races and candidates she loves most. Raised in Grayson County (Va) among farmers and teachers, she grew up on the lifelong values of community and stewardship.

EK brings statewide and national campaign experience to the table, most notably on Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign and as senior staff on both US Congressional and Senate races. She has seen firsthand how large campaign models leave votes on the table in rural America and is grateful for the opportunity to invest in local solutions and a community led approach to winning elections!

Posted on

In Grateful Memory of Joan Baker Washburn

Update: Obituary for Joan Baker Washburn published on Oakey’s.com.

Service Details: Monday, July 21st, 2025 at 12:00pm – 1:45pm at Oakey’s South Chapel, 4257 Brambleton Ave. Roanoke, VA 24018
Graveside Service: Monday, July 21st, 2025 at 2:00pm at Fairview Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave NW, Roanoke, VA 24017


It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and longtime member, Joan Baker Washburn. Joan was a passionate advocate, a tireless volunteer, and a cornerstone of the Roanoke Valley Democratic Women. Her dedication to progressive values, equity, and the betterment of our community left an indelible mark on RVDW and its members.

Joan’s unwavering commitment to Democratic values and justice inspired generations of women to lead, speak out, and make change. Whether organizing events, mentoring new members, or lending a listening ear, she brought strength to the Democratic Party in Roanoke.

We honor her legacy and celebrate a life well-lived. Joan will be profoundly missed, but her spirit will continue to guide our work and our hearts.

Rest in Power, Joan!

🕊️
💙

Posted on

2025 Wine & Cheese Event

Join us August 6, 2025 for RVDW’s Annual Wine & Cheese Fundraiser Event at the Bella Vista Room atop Roanoke’s Berglund Center for a 60th anniversary celebration of the Voting Rights Act. Our keynote speaker is Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor of Virginia.

View Event Photo Gallery

Wednesday, August 6
5:30pm – 7:30pm
The Bella Vista Room at the Berglund Center
710 Williamson Rd NE
Roanoke, Virginia

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi
Keynote Speaker
Democratic Candidate
for Lt. Governor

2025 EVENT SPONSORS

TICKETS
Member Ticket – $50
Ticket PLUS Membership – $70
Non-Member Ticket – $75
Sponsorships starting at $100

RSVP NOW
Continue reading “2025 Wine & Cheese Event”
Posted on

Takeaways & Resources: May 2025 Meeting Recap

At RVDW’s May 23rd meeting, guest speaker Donna Littlepage offered her observations of the US House of Representatives’ comprehensive FY2026 federal budget bill. The bill passed on May 22, barely 24 hours before the meeting, in an overnight session with only 215 Republicans voting for it. All 214 House Democrats voting against it.

Littlepage, who recently retired from a long career in healthcare finance, brought the gravity of the impending impact on SWVA into stark focus.

5 TAKEAWAYS

The bill as written could easily prompt the termination of Medicaid Expansion in Virginia impacting 630,000 Virginians by losing their health insurance coverage.

Locally (HOD Districts 38, 39, 40 & 41), 21.8% of the population utilize Medicaid. Of those, over 24,000 via Medicaid Expansion.

Virginia is projected to likely dis-enroll 32% of the current Medicaid recipients if this bill is enacted as written.

This bill adds work requirements for Medicaid recipients between 19 and 64 who do not have a child under 7 years of age.

This bill adds more bureaucratic steps to gaining and retaining Medicaid coverage likely preventing some eligible recipients from receiving coverage.

BONUS ITEM: End result is likely delayed healthcare leading to poorer health outcomes and the closure of some rural hospitals in Virginia.

The bill moves on to the Senate where it is certain to change. Littlepage recommends following the process closely. The following sources for her presentation could prove helpful as resources in that effort.

RESOURCES

Budget reconciliation bill faces a rocky road as Medicaid and ACA cuts draw provider concerns

House Passes Budget Bill, with Huge Medicaid Cuts and Potential Medicare Fallout

House passes budget reconciliation bill that would dramatically affect healthcare coverage

Rural Hospitals at Risk of Closing

House GOP lawmakers are proposing nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. Here’s who could be impacted.

5 takeaways from Donna Littlepage presentation on May 23 2025.

Posted on

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”
Posted on

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

ACTION ITEM: Call and/or email Governor Youngkin’s office and urge him to pass the bills the General Assembly has returned to him.

(804) 786-2211
glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov

Continue reading “Political Affairs Report: April 2025”
Posted on

Forum: Democratic Lieutenant Governor Candidates Shared Roanoke Stage

Watch Forum Recording

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.”

Posted on

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