Advocacy Committee

Read about WDC’s 2025 Legislative Priorities and 2024 Accomplishments.

The Advocacy Committee lobbies for State and County legislation that addresses WDC's Legislative Priorities. Melissa Bender and Cynthia Rubenstein co-chair the Advocacy Committee.

WDC’s strength resides in its members, and our numbers make us a formidable force for progressive Democratic values. Be part of this mission.

RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 2024 Legislative Accomplishments

• 2023 Legislative Accomplishments

• 2022 Legislative Accomplishments

Priority Issue Area Subcommittees

The Committee currently consists of eight Priority Issue Area Subcommittees. An Issues Chair or Co-Chairs lead each Priority Issue Area. If you can commit the time to identify, track, and advocate for specific legislation, please join one of the eight WDC issue sub-committees.

Advocacy Committee, Co-chairs: Melissa Bender, Cynthia Rubenstein

• Advancing Democracy in Maryland: Fran Rothstein, Beth Tomasello, Lynn Olson, Co-chairs

• Affordable Housing: Janet Frank, Chair

• Aging: Liza Smith, Chair

• Children and Youth: Cynthia Rubenstein, Chair

• Criminal Justice Reform: Carol Cichowski, Margaret Barry, Co-chairs

• Environment, Diana Conway, Chair

• Health: Margaret Hadley, Chair 


• Immigration: Fatmata Barrie, Chair

• Reproductive Health & Justice: Ginger Macomber, Chair

• Working Families and Economic Security: Ginger Macomber, Chair

The Committee organizes an annual Advocacy Day when WDC members can observe the legislature in action, learn about the legislative process, meet with Montgomery County State legislatures, and advocate for WDC's legislative priorities.  

Advocacy Organizations

Find other advocacy organizations. Click here to find a list of these organizations. Visit a group’s webpage to learn more about its work.

What You Can Do

Advocate for WDC’s Priorities
Are you interested in getting more involved with our WDC Advocacy efforts? Do you have some time to research and take the lead on specific legislation? Our Advocacy Committee needs you! Our advocacy work is limited by the number of our members. Please Contact JoAnne Koravos, Advocacy Committee Chair if you are interested or if you would like to be added to our advocacy alert team.