Promoting the Importance of Voting

Pictured are members of Vote Forward, who gathered weekly to share personal testimonies in a letter-writing campaign to encourage people to vote.

Sr. Marie Chiodo, DW, and Sr. Anne Marie Gardiner, SSND, have been diligently volunteering over the past few months to support the efforts of both MomsRising.org and Vote Forward. Their mission is clear: encourage people to exercise their right to vote in the crucial 2024 election. Sr. Marie shares, "My journey with MomsRising began in the 2020 election when I wrote a personal note on a hundred postcards urging citizens to vote. In this pivotal election, I have continued this work and explored other avenues to promote voting."

Through MomsRising, over five million postcards were written by everyday citizens and have been sent across the nation to encourage people to exercise their right to vote in the 2024 election.

Sr. Anne Marie and Sr. Marie took their commitment to the next level and distributed 150 flyers throughout their apartment complex, urging people to vote. Their flyer read, "Dear Neighbor, As a citizen of our beloved country, please make voting your priority on November 5. In Maryland, register online by October 15."  In their note, they also provided information on registering to vote and instructions for voting online, by mail, or in person.

Sr. Marie and Sr. Anne Marie have poured their hearts into the 160 letters they wrote and mailed through their volunteer work with Vote Forward in Silver Spring, Maryland. Each letter is a personal testimony to why they vote and encourages the voter to consider what is most important to them, their family, and our country as they vote in the 2024 election. Their personal touch has resonated with many, as over 3,000 Vote Forward letters have been sent in the past four weeks by their group.

Still not done with her mission, Sr. Marie added, There is much excitement and hope, as well as anxiety about this election. Who can you call to encourage to vote?"