Democrats Abroad France 2023 Annual General Meeting

Please RSVP by March 30, 2023 to be registered to vote at this meeting. 

Join us for the biennial election of the National Democrats Abroad France (DA France) Officers and Voting Representatives. The national elections and meeting will be held on April 1, 2023 online via zoom and in person beginning at 2 PM. We will hear candidate speeches and elect a new Leadership team for Democrats Abroad France, hear about how DA France will continue its important work on US elections and political engagement heading into the 2024 election. For those who wish to participate online, the zoom information will be provided upon rsvp. 

More information on the roles and responsibilities can be viewed here.

Candidate statements can be viewed here.

2023 NATIONAL OFFICER AND VOTING REPRESENTATIVE ELECTIONS

All members of Democrats Abroad France are welcome to attend and vote in the DA France National Officer and Voting Representative Elections on April 1. You will have an opportunity to hear from the candidates themselves prior to the close of voting and final tabulation of results. All members wanting to vote at the meeting are asked to register to vote by virtue of RSVP for this meeting, below, on or before March 30th -- this allows the DA France Election Board to prepare the voter rolls on the day of the meeting.

EARLY / ABSENTEE VOTING OPTION

All DA France members also have the option to vote early via an online absentee ballot made available to them via email, from 7 to 10 days prior to the election until 5PM on March 30th. This is to encourage member participation from all across France even if they cannot attend the meeting on Election Day. As a result, no nominations from the floor will be allowed. 

If you elect to vote via the Early Vote/Absentee Ballot, you will not be able to vote in the same election a second time even if you attend the Election Meeting. However, in the event of ties, the DA France Election Board may elect to conduct snap Run-off Elections to break ties, time and other conditions permitting, at their discretion. In such a case, all members of DA France who have RSVP'd for the meeting by March 30th and in attendance at the Election Meeting, will be allowed to vote in any Run-off Elections. Absentee voting will not be an option for snap Run-off Elections since they will be conducted at the Election Meeting. RSVP below to register to vote on Election Day, April 1.

To join Democrats Abroad, please go to www.democratsabroad.org/join. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 7, 2023 and reside in France.

FIRST TUESDAY SPEAKER SERIES IS BACK!

THANK YOU FOR VOTING!

Friends don't let friends abroad not vote!
Tell a friend: www.VoteFromAbroad.org

THANK YOU FOR VOTING!

Friends don't let friends abroad not vote!
Tell a friend: www.VoteFromAbroad.org

The news coming out of the US is a nightmare — in the past week, the conservative-dominated Supreme Court has handed down rulings with profound impact on American life — ranging from gun rights, to Miranda rights, to religious funding of schools — but most significantly overturning Roe v Wade, and ending a constitutional right to an abortion that has protected reproductive choice for over 50 years. 

The horrible effects of this ruling are immediate — abortion is expected to soon become illegal in 16 states, and still others may soon see restrictions through court action or pre-Roe bans. In many places, restrictive abortion bans will come with criminal penalties for abortion providers and patients. Blue state governors are pledging resistance and expansionas they position themselves as safe havens for people seeking abortion.

As the battleground for reproductive choice shifts to state courthouses your vote and voice from abroad matter now more than ever. America is on the threshold of authoritarian rule by people who do not care about rule of law. Democrats must win commanding majorities in House and Senate to stop the assault on American freedoms, but voters must also show up for all the governor races, attorney general races, ballot measures, judges, and other local elections that will determine the future of our nation. Every vote counts more now than ever.

JOIN US AS WE VIVE LA RESISTANCE and fight the radical right this Saturday, July 2nd --

• 11:30A-12:45P at 62 Pl. du Trocadero - PROTEST to demand safe, legal abortion!
• 1-4PM - REGISTER TO VOTE at Shakespeare and Company - or go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org. Tell your friends!
• 6-11PM - INDEPENDENCE DAY BBQ / GOTV FUNDRAISER - enjoy some BBQ and help us get out the overseas vote! 

Want to do MORE?

• Volunteer with DA France -- fill out our intake form here. Questions? Email [email protected]!
• Donate to DA France, here -- your generosity helps Democrats Abroad France mobilize the US vote across France!

See the Paris current events calendar, here!

VIVE LA RESISTANCE!

MERCI!

Democrats Abroad France thanks you for your donation to Democrats Abroad — your contribution has been earmarked for spending that is prioritized by DA France. Whether you choose to make a one-time donation or become a sustaining donor, your generosity supports our mission to mobilize the overseas vote, and to connect the American community abroad with US Democratic politics back home.

We cannot do this important work without your support. Merci!

To learn more about Democrats Abroad France, please click here.

"We view the Centennial not only as a celebration to remember the burial of the World War I Unknown Soldier, but an opportunity to reflect on what the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier means to America and her allies."

— Gavin McIlvenna, President & Centennial Committee Chairman

We are honored to share with you the opportunity to participate in a series of very special commemorative events in France. The Arlington Sentinels (also known as the Tomb Guards) are here this month to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 1921-2021. The unknown soldier from World War I buried in Arlington National Cemetery died in France, and their body was repatriated to the U.S. in 1921. Click here for the story.

There are several commemorative events open to the public, Oct 24-26:

• CHÂLONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE - Sunday, October 24, 10am: 100th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony and Military Parade retracing the route taken by the Unknown Soldier in 1921 beginning at the Hôtel de Ville of Châlons-en-Champagne and ending at the war memorial. No RSVP required. Contact [email protected] for details.
  
  
• LE HAVRE - Monday, October 25, 3-4:30pm: Commemoration Ceremony at Quai Roger Meunier for the 100th Anniversary of the Departure of the WWI Unknown Soldier from Le Havre to the United States in 1921, and the USS Olympia’s mission to bring the Unknown Soldier home. It is here in Le Havre that André Maginot presented, on behalf of France, the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honor to the Unknown Soldier. No RSVP required. Contact [email protected] for details.
  
  
• PARIS - Tuesday, October 26, 5:30pm: Rekindling of the Eternal Flame under the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France. Honor and pay tribute to the French Unknown Soldier, standing alongside French and American veterans. RSVP at [email protected].
  
  
• PARIS - Tuesday, October 26, 7pm: The Unknown Soldier Centennial Gala Dinner will be held at the prestigious and historical French Ècole Militaire with the Arlington Sentinels, American Gold Star Mothers, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and US veterans. Live Jazz band, Champagne Kir Apéro, and 3-course dinner. RSVP required - Register Here. Deadline to register is midnight October 23rd. Once you have registered, if you would also like to be seated at a DA France table, please notify Anna Marie at [email protected]

We sincerely hope you can join us to remember and honor all who have served, the Arlington Sentinels, and Gold Star Mothers.

DA France Veterans and Military Families Caucus
[email protected] 

Democrats Abroad was the margin of victory for President Joe Biden in Georgia and Arizona, and we're determined to continue delivering scale-tipping votes in races across the United States in 2022 and beyond.

To continue our get-out-the-vote from abroad, we are currently building a robust Paris Chapter and, for the first time, doing a call for applications for expansion of the executive committee. Our goal is to have an inclusive, transparent, and fair appointment process. We need you to be a part of our work!

All members of the Paris Chapter are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. CET on November 1, 2021. Decisions will be made around Nov. 10th. 

Send your CV and short cover letter outlining your vision and qualifications to [email protected].

Juan Cerda
DA Paris Chapter Chair

OPEN POSITIONS

PARIS CHAPTER TREASURER - EXCOM OFFICER POSITION

The Paris Chapter Treasurer shall manage the chapter's finances, prepare a budget and cash flow forecast as required by the Paris Chapter Chair for approval by the Paris Executive Committee, and interact and coordinate with the National Treasurer to maintain proper financial reporting structures to ensure the Paris Chapter's finances are in order. All such records shall be available for review by the Paris Executive Committee.

The Paris Chapter Treasurer shall be available to consult with National, Subchapter, and Caucus Chairs regarding fundraising activities for projects and activities and access to potential donors.

Ideally, candidates for this role should have experience in cash accounting, book-keeping, basic finance, banking, fundraising or related background.  

PARIS CHAPTER EVENTS COORDINATOR - EXCOM OFFICER POSITION

The Chapter Event Coordinator will help design and coordinate Chapter events, in collaboration with others in leadership. The goal of these events — social, political, cultural, etc. — is to educate and advance discussion and member engagement on contemporary U.S. political issues.

The Chapter Event Coordinator will assist members in planning and organizing local events such as lunches, dinners, wine-tastings, holiday gatherings, venues for significant speakers, etc. for membership development and fundraising, and shall help promote these events on the DA website and various social media channels, in collaboration with the Chapter Communications Coordinator, the Country Events Officer, and Country Database/IT Manager.

The Chapter Event Coordinator shall manage the Chapter calendar and work to avoid scheduling conflicts among different events in the Paris region. The Chapter Event Coordinator shall report monthly to the Chapter Executive Committee on activities undertaken and planned.

PARIS DEPUTY GET-OUT-THE-VOTE (GOTV) COORDINATOR (3 POSITIONS AVAILABLE) 

The Deputy Get Out the Vote Coordinator(s) will support the leadership of the Paris Chapter GOTV/IT Officer, and operate under their guidance, to help execute the Paris Chapter voter registration and GOTV strategy. This will include "on the ground" community events and outreach via social media.

Ideal candidates for Deputy GOTV Coordinator should have experience with voter registration for overseas Americans (whether using FVAP or VoteFromAbroad), and be able to conduct in-person events or be able to work online to answer voter help questions. Those willing to learn are also encouraged to apply.

If you have experience working/volunteering with voter registration, political campaigns, phone banking, canvassing voters, we are looking for you!

PARIS DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

The Deputy Communications Coordinator will support the leadership of the Paris Chapter Communications Officer, and operate under their guidance, to assist in designing, implementing and coordinating the communications activities of the Paris Chapter, including direct contact with members and interested persons via email, social media, French and English press communications, and develop the quarterly newsletter to members. They will assist in creating a strategic branding plan for DA Paris media and roll out outreach in 2022. 

Ideal candidates for Deputy Communications Coordinator will have experience working with email marketing, branding, social media and public relations.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All members of the DA Paris Chapter are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. CET on November 1, 2021. Decisions will be made around Nov. 10th. 

Send your CV and short cover letter outlining your vision and qualifications to [email protected].

MERCI!

DA France Veterans and Military Families Caucus Remembers Americans Deported to Concentration Camps during WW II, April 25th, National Deportation Remembrance Day

In France, the last Sunday of April is National Deportation Remembrance Day. The Democrats Abroad France Veterans and Military Families Caucus has chosen to talk about four remarkable deportees: Dr. Sumner Jackson, his wife Charlotte and son Phillip, and a certain wondrous Virginia d’Albert-Lake.

Dr. Sumner Jackson, his wife Charlotte and son Phillip

Dr. Sumner Waldon Jackson (1884-1945) joined the British Army as a field surgeon in 1916, then transferred to the US Army in 1917, where he met and married the French Red Cross nurse, Charlotte Sylvie Barrelet de Ricout, nicknamed Toquette. After WW l they returned to Sumner’s native state, Maine, but finding life there too conservative, moved back to France in 1921. In order to practice medicine, the French required that he first pass the baccalaureat. He flunked philosophy so moved to Algeria where the baccalaureat was easier, then returned to France and graduated from the Ecole de Médecine. Sumner and Toquette had one child, Phillip, nicknamed Pete (1928-2016) who was proud to be both American and French. 

Dr. Sumner Jackson with son Phillip

Charlotte Jackson, known as Toquette

Dr. Jackson was the Staff Surgeon then Chief Surgeon at the American Hospital in Paris from 1925 to 1943. During WWII, one of the Allied Forces soldiers he treated was an American ambulance driver who had gotten into trouble so Dr. Jackson hid him in the hospital basement. That was the beginning of the Jacksons French Resistance clandestine activities with the Goélette Network. During the Nazi occupation, his family home served as a resistance hub for the exchange of money, information and sometimes even people who were dropped off and picked up by a network of underground resistance fighters … but never arms. Messages heard on London radio about allied bombings or German positions were sewn into “stinky” cheese and sent to Vichy! Since he was a medical doctor, it was normal to see people come and go in his apartment.

At the American Hospital, Dr. Jackson openly treated French and German soldiers but secretly took in wounded British, US and French airmen, Jews and servicemen, listed them as dead in the hospital records, provided false ID papers and helped smuggle them to Spain, on their way to the UK.

In May 1944 his son Phillip, (16 years old), was already a resistance spy when Germans came to arrest him, his father and his mother. They were sent to the Compiegne prison camp. Toquette was shuffled to several camps and finally rescued by the Swedish Red Cross in Ravenbrück and taken to Malmö, Sweden on April 28, 1945. She had no idea what had happened to her husband and son.

Dr. Jackson and his son survived beatings, starvation, and forced labor in Gestapo and SS prisons in France and Germany. They finally wound up near Hamburg at the Neuengamme Concentration Camp for political prisoners where the working hours were long and strenuous. When Dr. Jackson’s finger became seriously infected, he had another prisoner amputate it and kept on working. 

Dr. Jackson spoke little, never explaining why he had been arrested because he was determined that nothing he might say would endanger those for whom he had quietly risked his life. He endured it all with stoicism and dignity that seemed to emanate from his sheer force of character.

In April 1945 the British Army was closing in on Neuengamme. Phillip and his father had spent a year in that camp which had 9000 prisoners. 3000 were shot. Dr. Jackson and Phillip were among the 6000 put in freight cars and then on ships to northern Germany.

On May 3rd 1945, as the POW ships were leaving the Lübeck harbor, the British ordered them to turn back. They didn’t. Unaware that these German ships were full of prisoners, British aircraft dropped bombs and rockets on them. Dr. Jackson’s body was never found. 10,000 people were killed, mostly prisoners. Phillip Jackson, then 17, despite the temperature of the Baltic Sea, swam to shore near Lübeck. Only 600 people survived. They were lined up against a wall to be shot but were saved by British tanks that rolled in just in time. The next day, dressed in a blanket, Phillip approached a British captain and said, “I have escaped and I am alone now”. He enlisted in the British Army and returned to Paris in September 1945 where he was reunited with his mother at the Arch of Triumph-Etoile. Their apartment on Avenue Foch was just as they had left it. After the War Phillip spent years encouraging improvement of Franco-German relations. 

In 2013, The Board of Governors of the American Hospital of Paris created the Jackson Award to commemorate the extraordinary devotion of Sumner and Charlotte Jackson in serving the hospital before and during World War II. The first recipients of the Jackson Medal were Sumner and Charlotte, posthumously. Their son Phillip accepted the award for them and personally received the French Legion of Honor.

Phillip, his father and his mother, Toquette, are the subjects of the bestselling book Avenue of Spies by Alex Kershaw.

Virginia d’Albert Lake 

Virginia d'Albert-Lake (1910-1997) was a schoolteacher from Florida who was awarded the French Legion of Honor, the Order of the British Empire, Croix de Guerre, U.S. Medal of Freedom and Maltese Cross for helping 67 British and American airmen evade German capture during World War II. Many airmen came with family to visit her after the War.

In 1936 Virginia travelled to France, where she fell in love with and married Philippe d’Albert-Lake, the son of an English mother and a French father. Life was peaches and cream. The family had means, apartments, even a château. But in 1940 France had surrendered and Philippe, who had been in the French Army since the beginning of the War, was demobilized and came to Paris. 

One day in the little town of Nesles where they tried to live inconspicuously by staying out of the Germans’ way, the village baker asked them to come to his shop. He was hiding and helping downed American pilots.

When they looked at the young pilots, Virginia and Philippe knew they had no choice. Soon they were working with the Comet Escape Line, the French Resistance network in charge of returning Allied pilots to England via Spain. 

Until Spring 1944, the routine was to receive the airmen at Paris train stations, hide them in their apartment and then guide them out of Paris to a camp in southern France from where they left for the UK.

Many Germans who had been to US, Canadian or British schools pretended they were American pilots. Virginia quizzed them all with cultural questions such as “Who is Babe Ruth” and turned the “fake ones” over to the French resistance fighters. 

On June 12, 1944, fearful of imminent arrest, Virginia, Philippe and 11 airmen left Paris and headed south. As they were bicycling near Châteaudun, a German car stopped Virginia who was slightly ahead of the group. She was ordered to empty her pocketbook. Out fell a list of French resistance fighters. In her haste, she had forgotten to memorize and destroy it.

At German headquarters she admitted to swallowing the list and was told she would be shot in the morning. Instead, she was on one of the last deportation trains to leave France. Virginia was sent to Ravensbrück and other devastating concentration camps until finally being freed by the French Army on April 21, 1945. She left the last camp weighing a mere 76 pounds. Willpower had kept her alive.

After the War, Philippe and Virginia moved to Brittany where she dabbled in the sale of antique dolls to the U.S. market. She died in 1997, Philippe 3 years later. They are buried in a section reserved for Anglo-American citizens in a cemetery in Dinard.

According to her son Patrick, “After her release, I think she thought she’d been given a second life. She loved life. She had a fantastic sense of humor. It was very sharp, very American.” 

Written by Karen Kenny and Tilly Gaillard

Please join us in congratulating our 2021-2023 National Officers and Voting Representatives for Democrats Abroad France! Thank you to all the amazing candidates who stepped up to #RunForSomething! 

National Officers

National Chair – Jonathon Holler. Jonathon supports the Equal Rights Amendment, Medicare for All, and strengthened labor unions, and a DPCA charter providing for more equitable voting and more inclusive gender parity rules.

First Vice-Chair – Danielle Follett. Dani is committed to continuing the work DAF accomplished to broaden the organization by welcoming new voices, expanding membership and raising voter turnout.

Second Vice-Chair (Chapter Liaison) - Drew Lombardi. Based on his past organizing experience in New York and Boston, Drew plans to launch a “50 state strategy” across all 12 local chapters to boost active engagement, recruit new members and deliver decisive electoral victories to Democrats.

Secretary – Alejandra Roman. New to France, Alejandra was DA Mexico City chapter Membership Chair and aided GOTV efforts leading up to the 2020 elections. 

Treasurer – Marjorie Bernstein. A past Treasurer and Secretary of DA France, Marj will apply her qualities of thoroughness, dedication, and enthusiasm (as well as her degree in Mathematics!) to her reprised role as Treasurer.

Counsel – Julia Grégoire. Julia is licensed to practice law in both France and the US and begins her second term as Counsel. She has assisted with two thorough revisions of the DA France Bylaws and ensured compliance with French law governing non-profit organizations.

Database/IT Manager – Max Dunitz. Max begins his second term as Database/IT Manager. He added many new tools to our digital organizing toolkit, from peer-to-peer texting to state voter file data to inform voters about ballot deadlines, rejected ballots, and voter assistance options.

GOTV Officer - Dori Schwartz-Laboune. During the 2020 election cycle Dori recruited and engaged volunteers, doing outreach and phone/text banking. She is committed to increasing our efforts to turn out voters for the midterm primaries and 2022 elections.

Communications Officer – Amy Porter. Amy’s objectives are to build out the Comms team; coordinate the use of our multiple channels—social media, website, email—for recruiting new members, increasing current member engagement levels and helping members to vote, and to work closely with the chapters and caucuses in support of their communications efforts.

Issues, Program and Events Coordinator – Gretchen Pascalis. A founding member of the DA France Rhone-Alps chapter (now Grenoble) and organizer of many memorable events in her region, Gretchen believes that events make organizations come alive, energize and inform members, and help recruit new members.

Membership Outreach / Volunteer Coordinator – Florent Marchais. Flo has a record of dynamic, energetic youth organizing in Texas and France. In his new role, he plans to engage alongside the GOTV and Events officers to mobilize volunteers to participate in phone-banking, social-media activism, and in-person volunteering and rallying in solidarity for international causes like climate action and Black Lives Matter.

DPCA Voting Representatives

Ada Shen 

Max Dunitz

Camille Canter

Jerry Zellhoefer

Connie Borde

Jim Christiansen

Meredith Wheeler

Juan Cerda

Marjorie Bernstein

Alex Rehbinder (Alternate)

Susan Fitoussi (Alternate)

Ricky J. Marc (Alternate)

Gretchen Pascalis (Alternate)

Hi, I’m Ada Shen. I’ve been an active member of Democrats Abroad since 2007 when I organized China for the first Global Presidential Primary, and later became the Obama campaign China field organizer in 2008. I led the DA organizing effort in China, mostly focusing on voter registration and mobilization, until its successful founding as a country committee in 2017.

I now live in Paris, France with my husband and son, and am the 2019-2021 National Chair of DA France. I am very pleased to serve on the AAPI Caucus Steering Committee -- our voices, votes, and visibility are an important contribution to the ongoing conversation on what it means to be American. I believe the AAPI voice and vote can work to forge a better future for all — the urgency of our times demand it.

2021-2023 NORMANDY CHAPTER LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Call For Candidates/Nominations Period Extended to March 15, 2021

RUN FOR SOMETHING
Contact Election Officer Ann-Marie Pelosky
[email protected]

2021 NORMANDY CHAPTER ELECTION & MEETING
March 20, 2021 @ 1PM
RSVP here

NORMANDY CHAPTER OFFICER DESCRIPTIONS
(* Position is required, per the DA France Bylaws)

The Chapter Chair* is the chief executive officer of the chapter, shall call and preside at all meetings of members, and shall lead the direction of the Chapter Executive Committee. The Chair shall establish the agenda of such meetings, and shall be responsible for carrying out and directing the programs, policies, and activities duly approved by the members and the Normandy Chapter Executive Committee.

The Chapter Chair is ex-officio also a voting member of the DA France National Executive Committee, and is the primary Officer responsible for representing the Chapter at regular National Executive Committee meetings; and shall attend them or designate a proxy to the National Secretary to the extent practicable, including presenting a brief monthly report of Chapter or Caucus activities to the National ExCom. If the Chair is not present at a National ExCom meeting, and the Vice Chair is present, the Vice Chair automatically carries the vote and represents the Chapter (no proxy designation is required.) The Chair and Vice-Chair may, with the advice of the other Officers, allocate between themselves the duties of the Chair as they see fit.

The Chair, or any Officer delegated by the Chair, is entitled to attend all Standing and Ad Hoc Committees, with full voting privileges. Decisions or actions taken by the Chair may be overruled by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Executive Committee. 

The Chapter Vice Chair shall assist and support the Chair in the matters related to execution of the Chair’s duties, and shall, in the absence of the Chair call and preside at meetings of members and of the Chapter Executive Committee. The Chapter Vice Chair is invited to attend National Executive Committee meetings to the extent practicable, and shall, in absence of the Chapter Chair, automatically carry the vote and representation of the Chapter to the National ExCom (no proxy need be designated). In addition to the shared responsibilities of the Chapter Chair allocated to the Chapter Vice-Chair, if the office of Chapter Chair shall become vacant, the Chapter Vice-Chair shall assume the responsibilities of the Chair. 

The Chapter Secretary* shall assist and support the Chair in matters related to keeping records and minutes of Chapter Executive Committee meetings; of Annual General and Special Meetings of Chapter members;  and in managing the database of its members. The Secretary shall maintain and safeguard all files and administrative records of the Chapter. The Chapter Secretary shall, along with the Chapter Chair, help ensure that timely notification of elections taking place within the Chapter, and their results, as well as any administrative matters related to the functioning of the Chapter, are duly communicated to the National Secretary.

(Duties include database management of members, sending email blasts, and making updates to the Normandy Chapter website. Free training on the software needed to perform these tasks is available and ongoing IT support is available.)

Members-At-Large shall assist and support the Chapter or Caucus Chair in duties and responsibilities that are not fixed but instead may vary according to the needs of the Chapter or Caucus. The Chapter or Caucus Member at Large will collaborate with other leaders, as well as counterparts at National and Global levels, accordingly.

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates should be members of Democrats Abroad France, US citizens 18 years or older, living in the Normandy/Hauts de France Chapter Region from the time of their nomination, and be able to serve a full term of two years. Every eligible member with interest, ability, conviction and ideas is encouraged to run. Previous organizing experience is welcome but not necessary. To join Democrats Abroad, go here: www.democratsabroad.org/join

TO MAKE A NOMINATION

You may nominate yourself, be nominated by someone else, or you may nominate others for an executive officer position for the Normandy Chapter. To make a nomination, please email the Election Officer Ann-Marie Pelosky at [email protected] with the name of the person and the position for which they are being nominated. (If you are nominating another person, please put that person on copy of your email.) A member of the Election Board will follow up. Nominees are asked to prepare a short statement of no more than 200 words regarding their candidacy. Final candidate statements should be submitted by March 15. Candidates should be prepared to attend the Leadership Elections on March 20th (via Zoom) at 6PM and to speak for their candidacy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Election Officer Ann-Marie Pelosky at [email protected]. 

Thank you!

Normandy Chapter Election Board
Ann-Marie Pelosky, Election Officer
Marjorie Bernstein
Ada Shen

2021 BORDEAUX CHAPTER ELECTION CANDIDATES

The nominations period for the 2021 Bordeaux Chapter Elections has now closed. Please find below statements for the candidates standing for election.

The Bordeaux Chapter Election will take place online from March 7 until 4PM March 14. All members of the Bordeaux Chapter region will receive an email containing a link to the ballot.

You must be a member of the Bordeaux Chapter in order to vote. New members are welcome but must join by March 13th. To join: www.democratsabroad.org/join. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 2, 2021. Questions? Contact the Bordeaux Election Board at [email protected]

If you are a member of the Bordeaux Chapter and do not receive a link to the online ballot but would like one, please email [email protected]

Bordeaux Election Board
Linda Martin, Chair
Bruce Gunia
Cecile Marie

BORDEAUX CHAIR

JAMIE PEROSI-DOUGHTY

I have been a member of Democrats Abroad since 2015 and feel confident now that I am ready to add my voice to the Executive Committee. Holding a Master’s Degree from Bordeaux Montesquieu in Political Science and a Ph.D. from Bordeaux Montaigne in American political philosophy, it should surprise few that I am passionate about politics, and specifically political philosophy.  Professionally, I teach classes at the various business schools on comparative law, specifically focusing on the legal and political differences between the French and American systems to non-legal specialists. It is my hope to bring my experience, expertise, and passion to Democrats Abroad.

I look forward to bringing new ideas, new engagements, and continued debates to Democrats Abroad, and hope to ensure that the organization remains strong, active, and a voice for Americans abroad.

BORDEAUX VICE CHAIR

VIRGINIA COULON

I first came to Bordeaux in 1962-63 as a student in the University of California’s Education Abroad Program. This is where I made my home, raised a family, completed graduate work in African Literature and was hired to teach English at the University of Bordeaux (Law and Economics division).

A founding member of l’APELA (l’Association pour l’étude des littératures africaines), I served as treasurer and editor of the newsletter for 12 years.

I joined Bordeaux DAF several years ago and have frequently attended the 4th of July gatherings, an occasion for many lively discussions. Barack Obama’s election was for me a watershed year: I phone banked to help get out the vote and also helped American students on the Bordeaux campus register to vote. I felt very proud to be an American.

How fast things change! We Americans have just lived through the extremely noxious presidency of Donald Trump and a traumatizing presidential election in which a sitting president attempted to  disrupt the lawful election process.

Yes, democracy prevailed and the Democrats, Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris, were finally declared the winners, but we have seen just how fragile our democracy is. The fight to defend it can never let up. Each of us needs to do whatever we can, at however modest the level.

BORDEAUX SECRETARY

PAOLA DEL CARMEN FLORES

Originally from New York City, I came to Bordeaux 12 years ago. One of the first groups of fellow Americans I met, (whom I like to think of as family) was the Democrats Abroad Bordeaux Chapter. With them, I have shared my two biggest elections; Obama’s and Trump’s. We have shared laughs and tears, and throughout the years they have nurtured my political culture and understanding of our great nation’s democracy. As secretary, I would be honored to join our Expat Democratic family and serve to the best of my ability.

Currently an entrepreneur designer, I graduated from Pratt Institute with a Bachelor’s degree  in Art and Art history in 2009. After graduation I had the pleasure of working with Angel Sanchez, a fellow Latino well established New York fashion designer. A year later, I held the role of secretary for Selldorf Architects main partners, where I acquired most of my secretarial skills.

Once in Bordeaux, I started to work as a substitute teacher both in the public and private sector. I have taught in business schools such as Kedge Business School, and art schools such as Ècole Conde, as well as public elementary schools and high schools.

As I submit my candidacy as Secretary for the Democrats Abroad Bordeaux Chapter, I wish to tighten the link with our expat community, elaborate it’s growth and assure an open dialogue. I take to heart our service for the preservation of the expat community’s voting rights and in helping keep our voices heard.

BORDEAUX TREASURER

TRUDY BOLTER

Since founding, with others, the Bordeaux Chapter of Democrats Abroad France in 2007, I have always been closely involved with our dynamic team, serving as Chair (thrice), Vice-Chair (twice), and Treasurer, and general helper-outer.

We helped Biden to win the 2020 Presidential election, a great victory!  But the forces of hatred, anger, ignorance and greed still inhabit America, and they have guns.

I come from a New Deal family – my father was an antitrust prosecutor – but my political motivation became intense when, during the 2000 election (Gore v. Bush) I was asked to teach a course on American history and culture.  My art-for-art’s sake veneer broke away and I became committed to the idea of helping, as much as I could, American ideals cohere to American politics.

I am an emerita Professor at Sciences Po Bordeaux, and a researcher in American film. I have enjoyed giving a series of presentations at the Utopia and connected lectures at Station Ausone, on current film, over the last ten years.

I would like to continue serving as Treasurer, and am happy to be the moderator of the new Politico-Culture Chat the Bordeaux Chapter has recently started on Zoom, which is having a lot of success – join us! 

2021 MARSEILLE CHAPTER ELECTION CANDIDATES

The nominations period for the 2021 Marseille Chapter Elections has now closed. Please find below statements for the candidates standing for election.

The Election and Annual General Meeting for the Marseille Chapter of DA France will take place on March 13th at 2PM. Candidates will give speeches prior to the close of voting and tabulation, and results will be announced. RSVP here. Early voting via electronic ballot is available to all members of the Marseille Chapter region — members should look for an email containing a link to this ballot.

You must be a member of the Marseille Chapter in order to vote. New members are welcome but must join by Friday March 12th. To join: www.democratsabroad.org/join. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 2, 2021. Questions? Email the Marseille Election Board [email protected]

If you are a member of the Marseille Chapter and do not receive a link to the online ballot but would like one, please contact the Marseille Election Board [email protected] 

CHAPTER CHAIR CANDIDATE

SUSAN FITOUSSI

Previous ExCom Positions: Chairperson/ Secretary/Member at Large 

Based in: MARSEILLE

I was born and raised in Los Angeles California. 

I left the USA when I was 24 and have lived abroad since.

I have been living in Marseille since 1994

I believe in Universal Health Care – Equal Rights – Gun Control – Black Lives Matter - Environmental Consciousness 

The Democratic Party represents the values I believe in

I have been a member of our chapter since it was created in 2008

I became ‘Chair’ of our chapter in 2019. 

Over the past 2 years I have been very active in DA France and DA Global and DA Caucus Events.

GOTV 2020 was certainly the highlight! 

Helping US Citizens register to vote is a gratifying and important thing to do.

We have a great team and I hope to continue working together to organize events that will bring our community together and keep the US Blue!

VICE CHAIR CANDIDATE

PETER GILLESPIE

I am a "people person" and communicator, and a third-culture-kid (TCK) from  before the term became popular. I was born and raised in the tropics (São Paulo, Brazil). I spent 25 years in New Orleans where I am registered to vote. I met my French wife in New Orleans. In 1995 we moved our four children and our livelihood to Aix en Provence, France where we have lived since. I am inclined toward progressive public advocacy and am keenly interested in Black Lives Matter and Occupy Wall Street as transformative movements. I am a member of the DA Global Black Caucus and the worldwide Progressive Caucus, and have been a member of the Marseille Chapter of DA since 2009. I look forward to supporting Chapter outreach in the context of DA France activities.

VICE CHAIR CANDIDATE

JOHN ESTEBAN RODRIGUEZ                                 

My roots as a working-class, LGBTQ immigrant of color growing up in rural Georgia profoundly shaped my politics and desire to fight for a more egalitarian United States and world. I understood inequality and injustice because of the way it structured my own trajectory: I started working at age 15, indebted myself to pay my way through college, and until the age of 25, when I came to France, I never had stable health insurance. 

I have been involved in political activism in Democrats Abroad because I now know that, as the richest country in the world, the U.S. can strive to flatten out inequality, bolster social programs, and tackle the environmental crisis that is already devastating the country. I am running for Marseille Chapter Vice Chair to make Democrats Abroad a more dynamic, energetic and accountable organization to the progressive cause. We need more progressive voices.

SECRETARY CANDIDATE

MARNIE DELANEY

I am excited to have the opportunity to run for Secretary of the Marseille/Aix Chapter of Democrats Abroad.  

I have lived in the small village of Lorgues for just over two years, coming here from San Francisco after retiring.  I spent my working years in marketing/advertising and subsequently in teaching art to children.  I’ve been politically involved since the 1960’s with a particular interest in women’s rights issues but always with an interest, opinion and inclination to help on a wide range of other challenges. Since joining Democrats Abroad I have organized events & materials for the Global Women’s Caucus (The Suffrage Centennial last August,  our March celebration of Women’s History Month and launching the new Violence Against Women Action Team).. I also did what I could to assist the Global Communications Team leading up to the 2020 election.

It would be my honor to bring what energy and skills I can to this Chapter.  

TREASURER CANDIDATE

AARON AMBEAU 

Early last year, I discovered the existence of Democrats Abroad and immediately wanted to connect my new life in France to my passion for politics back home. Coming from a politically active family of Democrats in Louisiana, I grew up campaigning, attending political events, and waiting for results on election night.

When I met my husband in 2001, I had no idea I would be living in France 20 years later, teaching English and seeking an opportunity to help my party overseas. My years as an adolescent psychotherapist in schools and psychiatric settings have made me particularly adept at working to find common ground among diverse groups of people. There is much we can do to support our newly elected administration, create community, and welcome newcomers who seek like-minded expats. I hope to have your support; and I look forward to meeting and working with “all of y’all."

MEMBER AT LARGE CANDIDATE

PHILIP J. BREEDEN

After serving my country as a U.S. diplomat for almost 30 years, I moved to Aix-enProvence in 2014 where I teach and help administer the American College of the Mediterranean/Institute for American Universities. 

This experience, and my previous post as Consul General in Marseille, led me to get involved with the Marseille Chapter of Democrats abroad.  Under the leadership of Chair Susan Fitoussi I’ve been honored to serve as Member-at-Large and as a Democrats Abroad France media spokesperson during the 2020 Presidential election.  

I was proud to help ensure the vote abroad was counted, especially that of first time student voters.  Our votes were an important reason we have new leadership in Washington.  Our task now is to help the Biden Administration succeed, giving voice to the many Americans living abroad.  As we all know, democracy is not a spectator sport!

It is in this spirit that I offer my candidacy as Member at Large.

MEMBER AT LARGE CANDIDATE

HEATHER C. ETCHEVERS

A dual U.S. and French citizen, mother of two who now also vote, I grew up as Gen X in Massachusetts. After a Wellesley B.A., I earned a joint Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and (today’s) Sorbonne Université became a tenured biomedical scientist and team leader with the INSERM (French National Institutes of Health) at Aix-Marseille Université. Residence abroad for 27 years has brought me unique perspective on policies concerning STEM, reproductive/health, cultural and many other issues pertaining to U.S. domestic and foreign policy. An engaged rare disease advocate, organizer of the Marseille March for Science in 2017, my responsibility is to aid the election of Democrats in the U.S., encouraging all rational citizens to remember that they remain a majority in the U.S. and need not succumb to conspiracy or wishful thinking. Our party must implement testable, effective ideas from the diversely talented people who make us proud to be Democrats.

MEMBER AT LARGE CANDIDATE

JUSTIN HEIFETZ

I'm Justin Heifetz and after a decade working as a journalist in Asia, I've relocated to Marseille with my French husband Laurent. Here, I'll continue reporting news freelance for the American media I've been working for, including VICE, CNN and many others. I'm running for member at large because our efforts as democrats are of incredible and arguably unprecedented importance after the past four years. I'll serve DA well because of the skills I've gained over the years as a journalist: I'm quick, organized, I don't back down and I know how to get the word out. Feel free to read more about me at my website justinheifetz.com or email me at [email protected]

MEMBER AT LARGE CANDIDATE

JOEL LUBOFF     

I’m Joel Luboff, and I have been a member of Democrats Abroad France for over 25 years.  For the past two years, I have served as Vice Chair of the Marseille – Aix Chapter.

We are all proud of our contributions to the gains last year of Democrats.  Perhaps in part because of our success, we can anticipate ever fiercer attempts to suppress mail-in voting in the coming mid-terms.  We all have to do our part to make sure that the voice of Democrats ex-pat continues to be heard.

I would like to continue my work with the Executive Committee as a Member at Large.

MEMBER AT LARGE CANDIDATE

KAREN WILDAU

I offer myself as a candidate for member at large.  I have served as treasurer and member at large on the committee since 2013, after retiring from law practice here to Aix in 2010. My first job was with a great California congressman in DC in 1968. I later served as a McGovern delegate at the l972 convention as the token white woman under thirty in a predominantly Black district.  How things have changed, happily.  I have never lost my interest in politics and I would like to continue to contribute to positive change. I spent many hours this past year phonebanking to get out the vote and in voter protection work helping expats solve  problems so their votes would be counted. Now, with our “houses divided”, it is even more important that our overseas voices are counted and I want to continue to help.