2018 Speakers

2018 Speakers

Video of the Jan 20 rally is here! Click to view the inspiring messages shared on Jan 20.

Jan 20 Rally video from March to the Polls 2018

Jan 20, 2018 included an incredible slate of speakers, performers, and elected officials, there to encourage women and allies to get out and vote in the March 20 primary and November 6 general elections. Women need to make their voices heard through leadership and voting! The speakers also represent the #MeToo movement of 2017.

EmCee – Fawzia Mirza

9-11 a.m. – Performances, Video Statements, Accessibility Team Spotlight

  • DJ HeilyB
  • Faces for Radio
  • Second City’s “She the People Cast”   
  • Lights of Zion

10:30 a.m. – Accessibility Team Spotlight

  • Rachel Arfa,Disability Rights Advocate
  • Risa Rifkind, Disability Rights Advocate
  • Michelle Garcia, Disability Rights Advocate
  • Jazmine Coates, Disability Rights Advocate
  • Abla Gharib, Disability Rights Advocate

11 a.m. – Speakers & Performances

  • Tahera Ahmad, Associate Chaplain and Director of Interfaith engagement, Northwestern University
  • Asha Binbek, CAIR Chicago
  • Channyn Lynne Parker, Transgender Activist
  • Bridget Gainer, Cook County Commissioner
  • Chakena Sims, Board of Directors, Chicago Votes
  • Ann Scholhamer, WMC Board Member
  • Michele Smith, Chicago Alderwoman, ward 43
  • Bill Foster, U.S. Congressman (note: did not make it due to U.S. government shutdown)
  • Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Congressman (note: did not make it due to U.S. government shutdown)
  • Anna Valencia, Chicago City Clerk
  • Celina Villanueva, New Americans Democracy Project/Youth Engagement Manager, ICRR
  • Carrie Kiley, WMC Board Member
  • Amber Smock, Access Living & ADAPT
  • Emily Kraiem, WMC Board Member
  • Tom Steyer, Need to Impeach
  • Ari Asfar and Hamilton Cast Members
  • Liz Radford, WMC Board Member
  • Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley, League of Women Voters
  • Jaquie Algee, WMC Board Member & Jessica Scheller, WMC Board Member
  • Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President
  • Jessica Scheller, WMC Board Member
  • Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General
  • Kim Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney
  • Quiana McKenzie, Regional Campaign Finance Advisor, Emily’s List
  • Shani Smith, WMC Lead Marshal, Safety Instructor, SEIU Healthcare Illinois
  • Claire Shingler, WMC Executive Director
  • Greg Kelley, President of SEIU Healthcare IL, IN, KS, MO
  • K. Sujata, President and CEO, Chicago Foundation for Women
  • Suzette Wright, Former Chicago Ford Assembly Plant Employee, Host of bi-weekly show Urban Dialog with Suzette
  • Bryant Jones Choir & Deborah Lane – Performance
  • DJ Heather – Performance

End of Rally / March on!

Click here for a PDF of the Speaker Bios and also Performer Bios.