Voto Latino’s Pre-White House Correspondents Association Dinner Event

The weather could not have cooperated any better EARLY Saturday night (yes, later in the night the torrential downpour was no welcome friend for those moving from the Dinner or other events to the After Parties).  Way atop the building of 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, an intimate private reception was held to raise awareness and funds for Voto Latino.  Quite candidly, I had never heard of Voto Latino until I had received the invite (it doesn’t matter that I am not Latino).  Luckily, not only was Marie Teresa Petersen (Founding Executive Director) there to talk with folks, but actor and activist Rosario Dawson (co-Founder) came as well (after getting her perfect hair and makeup finished at the Erwin Gomez Salon!).  Both spoke to individuals as well as addressed the group on the importance of getting young American Latinos to vote. 

(Pictured above left: The hosts thank everyone and pose for a few pictures while fighting a bit of a breeze; below right: Rosario Dawson and Jimmy Lynn of AOL; below left: Marie Teresa Petersen and David Park) 

Voto Latino can be equated to “Rock the Vote”.  Both are organizations that use cool, contemporary methods to reach young people, especially those just turned 18, to educate them on how hip it is to vote as well as how lucky they are to have the ability to vote.  Voting is a right. Voting is a privilege. Voting … is everyone’s duty. 

Voto Latino is young itself, only three years old, but they are gaining strong momentum.  With an Advisory Board that includes Craig Newmark, the Founder of Craig’s List, Antonio Tijerino, the CEO of the Hispanic Heritage  Foundation, Juan Marcos Vilar, the Special Assistant Secretary, SEIU, and many more, they have the potential for much success.  Of course, star power like Marie Teresa Petersen and Rosario Dawson, doesn’t hurt either. 

To find out more about Voto Latino, please go to www.votolatino.org.  I am sure you will be hearing much more about and from this action oriented cause.

Thank you to all the hosts, including Xavier Fco. Equihua, of Fed Strategies, who opened his lovely home and my friend David Sutphen of Viacom.

“We are united by the common belief that the power to change our community comes from within it.” … taken from the Voto Latino web site.