Hi, I’m Emily Froemel, Chair of the Munich and Southern Bavaria Chapter of Democrats Abroad.
I grew up in Silicon Valley—in the San Jose and Santa Clara area of California—and later moved across the country to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate New York. After completing a BA in Fine Art, I worked as a Job Counselor in Rochester, where I also met my husband. In 2001, life brought me to Germany, where I continued to paint watercolors and teach English. Along the way, we welcomed two wonderful children into our lives. My art has only grown; I now work primarily in oils, and my current mixed-media series is titled In Defense of Democracy.
Like many community organizations, our chapter experienced a decline in active participation following the COVID lockdown. But I wasn’t ready to let go of the momentum. I teamed up with Dennis O'Donohue and a dedicated group of leaders—including Daniel Kinney, René Corrêa, and Warren Knox. We picked up the phone, called members, and began organizing meaningful activities. Slowly but surely, people began to return. We hoped to see the first African Indian woman, Kamala Harris, elected President. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen—but the fight for democracy didn’t stop there.
When Dennis stepped back for personal reasons, I stepped forward with a vision rooted in the very first words of our Constitution: “We the People…” To me, that means all of us—Americans from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life paths—sharing a dream of what our country could be. Many of us in Democrats Abroad are curious and open to the world. We understand that other countries, systems, and values exist. That global perspective is our strength.
Our chapter should be a place where every member can be heard—a space to reflect on how we envision the United States evolving. We stand at a crossroads. Will we allow ourselves to slip toward authoritarianism? Or will we reaffirm our commitment to truth, to democracy, and to modernizing our Constitution—so that we can carry peace and prosperity into the next 250 years?
As we continue searching for every American vote abroad, we also share our hopes—our ideas for how the U.S. can move forward. I’m deeply grateful to our board and to the incredible members of the Munich and Southern Bavaria Chapter. Together, we’re reaching higher than ever, exploring new ideas, and opening new paths toward a stronger democracy. Dreaming together of a country that embraces technology, builds strong education programs with new degrees, and provides healthcare for all.
In the words of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo: “I paint my own reality.” Let’s all speak our truths—and find a way to modernize our democracy.