WELCOME TO ALABAMA FEDERATION OF DEMOCRATIC WOMEN
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Click here to download a 2010 AFDW Membership/Renewal application.
AFDW Welcomes 2010
It's a brand new election year and AFDW has hit the ground running! Women voters will be an important block for our candidates this year, but we have to get more active and let our voices be heard. One of the best ways to remind candidates and elected officials that Democratic women are their best allies is to make sure they know we are here and are willing to support them when they support us. AFDW encourages you attend your County Executive Committee Meetings, Democratic Club meetings, send a check to your favorite candidate, write a positive letter to the editor about what Democrats are doing, and contact your officials. Consider starting a Democratic Club or local affiliate of AFDW if you don't have one. Remember that your group doesn't need to start with 100 people. Get 5 or 6 of your friends and grow from there!

AFDW is proud that our membership list contains some of the smartest men in the state! While our group is led by women, we welcome Democratic MEN as well. Lt. Governor Folsom, Representative Ken Guin, Party Chair Joe Turnham, and Senator Roger Bedford have been members and strong AFDW supporters for many years.

If you don't know the name of your local Committee chair, call the Alabama Democratic Party at (800) 995-3386 or go to their website (aladems.org) for a complete list. Executive Director Jim Spearman or any other staff member can give you names of interested and active Democrats in your county if you need a list of women to contact. Remember that Jimmy Carter became a viable candidate for President of the United States by having coffee in women's homes.

January 16 State Democratic Party Executive Committee Alabama Democratic Party opens qualifying
Local parties determine when their qualifying opens as long as it is no earlier than than the State Party's opening. By law, qualifying for all candidates must end at 5:00 p.m. on April 2. More information on qualifying procedures and required forms can be found on the Alabama Democratic Party website under Resources then 'Candidate Qualifying'. Individuals looking to run for office at the State and Federal level will qualify with the state party while those interested in running for local office will qualify with their respective county Democratic Party chair, a list of which (including their contact information) can also be found on the website.

You might also consider throwing your hat into the ring to become a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee from your Alabama House district. Each district has a man and woman on the State Democratic Executive Committee. The filing fee is $50. For example, Henry White is the State Representative from House District 5, so there is a man and woman elected to a 4-year term from his district.

Membership Coffee at the Home of Senator Roger and Mrs. Maudie Bedford a Success

AFDW members from 10 North Alabama counties gathered at the home of Senator Roger and Mrs. Maudie Bedford in Russellville last Sunday for the first AFDW Membership Coffee of 2010. The gracious hospitality of Roger and Maudie made the day a huge success. About 90 AFDW members enjoyed the afternoon with some old friends, made some new friends, and met local and statewide office holders. Candidates and potential candidates attended and became AFDW members for the first time. Attendees included folks from Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Montgomery, Morgan, and Shelby Counties!

We heartily welcome the new members and thank those who renewed their membership for their support of AFDW. We know that when women vote, DEMOCRATS win, so there will be a strong membership drive this year. If you would like to discuss having a Membership Coffee in your area, please call Pam Wallace at (256) 683-410. Women work, they vote, and they are increasingly writing checks to candidates of their choice, so we encourage all women to participate in the political process.

The next Membership Coffee will be in Huntsville on February 21 from 2-4 in the afternoon. It will be hosted by the former Senator Jeff Enfinger. If you would like to host an AFDW membership Coffee in your area please contact Pam Wallace (256) 683-4150.

March 25th AFDW Legislative Day
Want to be a part of one of the best days all year? Then you need to come to Legislative Day. The day begins with a continental breakfast, which the House Caucus graciously sponsored last year, we visit the House and Senate galleries, and carve out time to visit with our local legislators. One of the highlights of the day is the lovely luncheon sponsored by Lt. Governor Jim Folsom. We have a meeting at lunch, candidates and elected officials stop by to say hello and greet everyone. This year is our officer election year, so new officers will be elected and installed at the meeting as well. This is limited to AFDW members only. The Alabama Democratic Party staff welcomes members following the busy day with the lawmakers. That gives us a chance to see the ADP operation, and meet the hard working, dedicated people who work at the State Party Headquarters.

ABOUT AFDW
The Alabama Federation of Democratic Women unites Alabama women to advance the Democratic ideals of opportunity for all, responsibility from all and community of all by:

Providing a forum for women to use their exceptional talents and unique perspectives to shape the policies of our national, state and local governments;

Fostering a successful environment for individuals, families and businesses by advocating investment in innovation, technology, and an educated workforce;

Safeguarding access to quality public education, affordable childcare and healthcare, and financial security for seniors;

Electing qualified candidates who share our vision of a responsible and accountable government.

AFDW Members Receive Alabama Democratic Party Awards, known affectionately as Demys

Two members of AFDW received impressive awards at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on October 22. Marsha Burke from Dekalb County was presented with the “Demy” Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Marsha is a board member of AFDW and is a tireless worker and organizer for the Dekalb County Democratic Party.

Marsha’s husband, Ed Burke, was a nominee for County Chair of the Year. They are a dynamic duo and one of the huge reasons why the Dekalb County Democratic party continues to flourish. Congratulations Marsha and Ed!

Mary Guerra received the first Lifetime Achievement Demy from Executive Director Jim Spearman. Mary is a Yellow Dog Democrat and labor activist from the Shoals and, as Jim noted, nobody has ever run a successful campaign in Northwest Alabama without Mary’s nod of approval. Mary is AFDW treasurer. We are proud to have her as part of our organization and are thrilled that The Alabama Democratic Party acknowledged her lifelong contributions to the Democratic cause. We tip our hat to Mary Guerra and add a personal “thank you” for being a staunch Democrat from all of our members.

Another friend of AFDW, Etowah County Chairman Maitland Adams was presented with the Demy for County Chair of the Year by the executive Director. It was a well-deserved honor and a fitting acknowledgement of the outstanding job that Maitland has done in Etowah County. He works closely with the Etowah County Democratic Women’s Club and together they are making everyone Proud to Be a Democrat in Etowah County.

Bettye Greene, Vice-Chair of the Lawrence County Democratic Party, and AFDW Board Member was nominated for the Volunteer of the Year Demy. Bettye has been a stalwart member and tireless worker for the Lawrence County Democratic Party for many years, and was certainly a deserving nominee for the award.

Congratulations to Marsha, Ed, Mary, Maitland, and Bettye from AFDW and all of our members. Together, we are making a difference and helping elect Democrats all over the state.

Paid for by the Alabama Federation of Democratic Women Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee 1602 Brookridge Dr SW 1112, Decatur, Alabama 35601