PSI EPSILON OMEGA CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED® AMPS UP VOTER ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS IN LAUREL, BOWIE, AND GREENBELT
Prince George’s County, MD —In support of the upcoming 2020 General Election, Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter (PEO) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Incorporated® is hosting a variety of voter education and engagement activities. This call to action is aligned with AKA’s national efforts to recognize the political prowess and leadership of Black women to create positive sustainable change.
“We are specifically targeting residents in Laurel, Bowie, and Greenbelt which are the communities that PEO serves. We are encouraging people to register to vote and to make a voting plan,” said Benita A. Swindell, president of Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter. “In addition to voter education and engagement, we also have to consider safety, which is why PEO has shifted all of its activities to virtual platforms.”
On Sept. 17, the sorority hosted a virtual voter registration drive, Know Before You Go: Understanding Your Rights at the Polls. Several hundred people joined a zoom discussion featuring State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy. She shared information on voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, immigrants, and anyone with questions about their ability to legally vote in the Nov. elections. “The best way to make sure your vote is not counted, is to not vote,”Braveboy told the group.
In partnership with the Women’s Equity Center and Action Network (WE CAN), on Oct. 3, PEO will hold a virtual writing party. Members of both organizations will write letters to persons in eight states asking them to vote in the upcoming election. Others can join by visiting WE CAN.
PEO’s activities are part of the national program, AKAs L.E.A.D. where members are encouraged to L.E.A.D. - Learn, Empower, Advocate, and Decide on legislative, public policy and social justice issues critical to Black women and the African American community.
“As the premier Greek-lettered sorority established by African American college educated women, it is critical that the community see us out front and taking the lead in these voter mobilization efforts,” added Swindell.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®, Psi Epsilon Omega Chapter was chartered in 2007. Since its founding, the chapter has been aggressively implementing its programs of service in the communities of Laurel, Bowie, and Greenbelt Maryland