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Submitted by: Donna L. Brazile, At Large/District of Columbia;
Ben Johnson, At Large/District of Columbia
Resolution Commemorating the Life and Career of Wanda Alston
WHEREAS, Wanda Alston was a dedicated activist on behalf of womens rights, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender rights, human rights and civil rights and a loyal supporter of the Democratic Party; and
WHEREAS, Alston, as Executive Assistant to National Organization for Women (NOW) President, Patricia Ireland, and a NOW National Board member, helped organize five national marches in support of womens rights, co-led a NOW delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, served as NOW staff liaison to the National Rainbow Coalition, and served on the NOW Racial and Ethnic Diversity Committee that planned the 1998 Women of Color and Allies Summit; and
WHEREAS, Alston worked as events manager at the Human Rights Campaign, the nations largest GLBT organization dedicated to promoting equal rights for all Americans and later established her own political consulting firm, Alston Consulting Services, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Alston was appointed by D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams to head the District of Columbias Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs, and was former co-chair of the D.C. coalition of Black Lesbians, Gay Men & Bisexuals in furtherance of her goal to ensure that the Districts lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents are fully integrated into the citys civil and economic life; and
WHEREAS, Alston was a District of Columbia delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and took a leave of absence from Mayor Williams cabinet to direct voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities for the Kerry-Edwards 2004 election campaign in St. Lucie County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Alston, grew up in segregated Newport News, Virginia and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia; and a Masters of Business Administration in International Management from Southeastern University in Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2005, at age 46 Alston was violently murdered in her home in the District of Columbia, where she was later found by her devoted partner, Stacy Long;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) celebrate the life of Wanda Alston, a passionate activist, consummate political strategist and tireless progressive leader for equal rights and justice and offers its deepest condolences to Alstons partner, Stacy Long.
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