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Women of the Storm to Take Message to the Conventions
A delegation of a dozen Women of the Storm will travel to Denver on August 24 and to St. Paul on Sept. 1 to take our message to the national political conventions. We will work in conjunction with the Friends of New Orleans, who will host a non-partisan benefit at each location. For more on the benefits - which will feature the best in food and music of New Orleans - click here. Women of the Storm has also been named a "Hero of the Storm" by FONO; the group will receive the award during the event. Click here to read more.
Musicians Urge Candidates to Talk about Coastal Issues
Musician/activist Tab Benoit has united with other internationally known artists in urging U.S. Presidential candidates to talk about wetland restoration and hurricane recovery in a debate planned for New Orleans. REM, Pearl Jam, Trent Reznor, 311, OK Go, Jackson Browne, My Morning Jacket and the Indigo Girls are among the music acts to partner with Louisiana artists like Allen Toussaint, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Galactic and the Funky Meters in the call to action. The letter the musicians signed has received world-wide media attention. Some members of the group, including Tab Benoit and the Voice of the Wetlands, will perform at the Friends of New Orleans parties at both conventions. Read more.
Women of the Storm Offered Testimony to the Democrat National Platform Committee About New Orleans Needs and National Priorities
Representatives
of Women of the Storm appeared at the Platform Committee Hearing of the
Democratic National Committee on August 1, 2008, urging the Platform
Committee to adopt measures that protect culture, community and
economic development across our nation by: enhancing the nation’s
emergency preparedness; boosting disaster response rebuilding crumbling
infrastructure; supporting domestic energy security by rebuilding
wetlands off America's Energy Coast: and establishing a comprehensive
policy addressing land loss and habitat collapse.
Click here to download a PDF of the Testimony of Anne Milling, Founder of Women of the Storm.
Click here to read the news coverage of the event.
Click Here to view the press release.
New Orleans Proposes Presidential Forum Powered by Google and YouTube
Gov. Jindal, Mayor Nagin and the New Orleans Consortium – Women of the Storm with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, Dillard, Loyola, Tulane and Xavier universities – announces plans to work with Google and YouTube in a Presidential forum on September 18 that will address issues critical to the nation's future. The forum will be held in the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. "This forum that will use technology to ensure that real citizens with real challenges are a part of the conversation, which will take place in a city whose own citizens personify resilience and rebuilding," said Women of the Storm Founder Anne Milling. Click Here to read the news release. Click Here to view the video. Click Here to read the news archive.
The New York Times Endorses New Orleans Presidential Debate - Twice!
"The Big Easy is a campaign poster for the Bush administration's sorry domestic record. The inspiring locale -- and the Internet denizens who helped make the Obama candidacy -- should be irresistible for a debate before a live audience in the heart of the city," said The New York Times in a July 23 editorial urging Sen. Obama to accept the invitation from the New Orleans Consortium. It is the second time the Times has editorially supported the New Orleans presidential forum, following a May 1 editorial "Boot up for the Big Easy."
COASTAL CITIZENS FEAR STORMS WILL IMPACT OIL SUPPLIES
NEW ORLEANS, La. – As the 2008 hurricane season officially opens, residents in the energy-producing coastal states are concerned about a storm’s impact on fuel supplies and the lack of national support for the region.
Those are two key findings of a new poll of 1,200 residents of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, an area known as America’s Energy Coast. Click Here to read more.
Postcard Project Targets Volunteers
Women of the Storm has developed postcards to distribute to volunteers and other visitors, encouraging them to urge members of Congress from their states to see New Orleans firsthand. For more on the postcards, click here. To obtain a supply to distribute, e-mail info@womenofthestorm.net.
Setting National Policy Priorities
To keep New Orleans in the forefront of national discussion, we have submitted policy suggestions for potential inclusion in the platforms of both political parties. These policies can benefit everyone across America––in the areas of emergency preparedness, disaster relief, infrastructure and protection of coastal communities and our valuable wetlands. We also plan to have a presence at the conventions, which are scheduled on or near the third anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Click here to read the platform suggestions.
Click here to read a Times-Picayune column about them.
Congressional Committee Chairs: 50% Absent
We also encourage chairs of Congressional committees to visit New Orleans - and to hold field hearings here. Only 16 of 32 chairs of Congressional committee chairs have first-hand experience: In the House of Representatives, 10 of 16 chairs have not visited; in the Senate, 6 of 16 have not witnessed New Orleans’ devastation and progress. We’re happy that our city hosted several field hearings this spring and summer. Please encourage committee chairs to schedule more such events.
Click here to view Committee Chairs who have - and have not - visited.
Thanks to 57 Senators, 142 Representatives
Almost two years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we thank the 49 states from which at least one Member of the 110th Congress has visited. Some 57 Senators and 142 members of the House of Representatives have seen conditions in Louisiana for themselves. No Member of the U.S. House of Representatives has visited from 8 different states. No Senator has come from 11 states. Only one state - Vermont - is completely unrepresented. We reiterate our invitation to those Members of Congress who have not yet visited New Orleans, and extend it to candidates for the Presidency in 2008.
Click Here to view who has visited.
Lunch with Louisiana’s First Lady
Supriya Jindal joined some 150 Women of the Storm for a lunch and informal conversation on April 1 at the Pavilion of Two Sisters in City Park.
Click here for photos from the event.
W Magazine includes WOS in 60-page photographic tribute to New Orleans
Click here to read a Times-Picayune story
Click here to see a preview on the “W” web site
Click here to see the photo of Women of the Storm from W
Learn More About Women of the Storm
For the latest on our plans, progress and initiatives, click here
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