Women United March 2020 Speakers

This year’s Women United March features a wide variety of speakers who use their power to make positive changes in the world around them. From an amazing group of teenagers taking on climate change to a local activist bringing knowledge and action to current immigration issues, this group of women is outstanding. We’re looking forward to hearing them speak at this year’s march. 

The WUM program kicks off in First Ward Park (301 E. 7th Street) promptly at 11:00 a.m. with radio host Ramona Holloway  taking the stage to emcee the event.

Ramona, the 2009, 2010 and 2011 winner of the Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracie Award for radio comedy,  is co-host of the “Matt and Ramona Show,” which originates from WLNK’s studios in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Early arrivals, and those not choosing to march after the program, will be entertained by DJ.SPK, spinning tunes at First Ward Park from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The March is slated to begin at NOON.

Scheduled Speakers for WUM 2020:

Keynote

House Democratic Whip, NC Representive Deb Butler

NC District 18 House Representative Deb Butler has received the internationally acclaimed Tammy Baldwin /Breakout Award from the Victory Fund 2019, The Indyweek 19 in 2019 acknowledgment, InStyle Magazine’s “Badass Women” issue inclusion, The Cucalourus Leadership Award among many other designations for her viral defense of the NC infamous veto override vote.  Her phrase #Iwillnotyield has become a rallying cry across the country and has her proudly wearing the banner of “progressive sparkplug” with great pride… (click here for more Rep Deb Butler bio).

GUN VIOLENCE

Reverend Sharon Washington Risher, Activist, Author

Reverend Sharon Washington Risher was catapulted into the limelight after the Charleston, South Carolina shooting at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015.  Her beloved mother — the church’s sexton — Ethel Lee Lance, was killed along with eight others, including two cousins and a childhood friend…(click for more Reverend Sharon Washington Risher bio).

IMMIGRATION

Angelica Garnett,  Advocate and Voice for Immigrants

Angelica Acosta Garnett was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She moved to the United States in 2000 and received a BA in history and religion from the University of Florida, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Social Studies education and moved to Charlotte in 2006 to teach government at Myers Park High School. She received the 2006 and 2008 Teacher of the Year award and the 2009 Central Learning Community Teacher of the Year… (click for more Angelica Garnett bio).

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

Brooke Adams, President, RRC; Asst Dir CRAN

Brooke Adams is a retired attorney with a passionate drive to advance women’s rights and reproductive freedom.  Brooke has served as the President of Charlotte’s Reproductive Rights Coalition for the past three years and is the Assistant Director of the Charlotte Reproductive Action Network.  Brooke also serves on the Mecklenburg County Women’s Advisory Board, acts as an advisor to the Charlotte Women’s Movement on reproductive policy issues and volunteers as a clinic escort… (click for more Brooke Adams bio).

HEALTHCARE

Alisahah J. Cole, MD, Chief Community Impact Officer, Atrium Health 

Alisahah J. Cole, MD, is a true Renaissance woman.  A musician, a physician, a mother, a volunteer and a leader. Above all, Dr. Cole is highly passionate about health equity, advocating that everyone should have the ability to achieve great health, no matter what they look like, how much money they make, or where they come from. 

After completing medical school, she worked in Union, SC for 4 years, where under her leadership as Medical Director, her office was designated as a rural health clinic. Since serving the underserved had always been a priority, she completed her residency in Family Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center, where she was part of the Urban Track program.. (click for more Alisahah Cole bio).

CLIMATE CHANGE

Mary Ellis Stevens, US Ambassador, Earth Uprising

Mary Ellis Stevens is a 14-year-old climate activist from Charlotte, NC. She has participated in the international Fridays for Future School Strike for Climate since February of 2019 and… (click for more Mary Ellis Stevens bio).

 

Krissy Oliver-Mays, Co-coordinator, Charlotte Chapter, Extinction Rebellion Youth

Krissy Oliver-Mays is an 18-year-old climate activist from Huntersville, North Carolina. She is a Co-coordinator of Extinction Rebellion Youth in Charlotte. She, alongside her best friend, Ollie, founded a non-profit that educates youth… (click for more Krissy Oliver-Mays bio).

 

 

Ollie Ritchey, Co-coordinator, Charlotte Chapter Extinction Rebellion Youth

Ollie Ritchey is a climate activist and LGBTQ+ rights advocate. She started the Charlotte chapter of Extinction Rebellion Youth in the summer of 2019 and works as co-coordinator alongside her best friend, Krissy… (click for more Ollie Ritchey bio).

Let us know you’ll be marching with us by clicking here. 

Continue to visit the womenunitedmarch.org website for updated information and check out maps of the march route: MARCH 2020 and MARCH SPANISH

#womenunitedmarch   #UseYourPower   #WUMCharlotte2020