A Look Back at Ethiopian-American Constituency’s Inaugural Year
By Woyneab Wondwossen
Ethiopian Review, April-June 2001
Early last year, with the American general election fast approaching, a concerned group of Ethiopians gathered to discuss how the Ethiopian-American community could play a more active role in the U.S. political process. The vision that evolved out of that initial meeting stretched far beyond one year’s election cycle. Instead, it laid the groundwork for an ongoing institution that would support Ethiopians in serving the interests of our community, in exercising our rights as residents and citizens of the U.S., and in seizing the opportunities to which all participants in the American political process are equally entitled. Ultimately, this framework led to the establishment of the Ethiopian-American Constituency (EAC), a national non-partisan advocacy organization whose mission is to work within the increasingly powerful American political system to advance the common interests of Ethiopians in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Since that gathering just over one year ago, EAC has taken unprecedented steps toward fulfilling its role as a voice for Ethiopian constituents. In June, our reception for Presidential Candidate Al Gore introduced key officials at the White House and the Democratic National Committee to the concerns and challenges of the Ethiopian community. Moreover, it laid the foundation for a continuing dialogue between EAC and representatives of the DNC on matters of critical importance, such as immigration, AIDS, and famine.
Following this initiative, EAC turned its sights toward strengthening the relationship between members of our community and representatives on the Hill. We supported a reception for U.S. Senatorial Candidate for New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Next, we actively participated in a reception for U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas. Finally, through our patronage of the Kennedy King Dinner, one of Northern Virginia’s most prominent political gatherings, we supported the candidacy of U.S. Congressman Jim Moran.
EAC has also strived to establish an effective presence within local government by supporting D.C. Councilwoman Charlene Drew Jarvis and meeting with Candidate for President of the D.C. Public School Board, Peggy Cooper Cafritz, and with the District’s Democratic Nominee-Ward Four Councilman, Adrian Fenty.
In addition to our campaigning activities, EAC has also strengthened its organizational base since inception by establishing a headquarters, retaining an Executive Director, devising and adopting the organization’s Rules and Regulations, and finalizing our web site. In an effort to increase voter turnout in the Ethiopian-American community, EAC went on to launch a comprehensive voter registration campaign that included the distribution of hundreds of voter registration and absentee ballot request forms, presentations to Ethiopian congregations and student organizations about the importance of voting, a public service announcement outlining the rules and guidelines associated with registering to vote, and a special on-line feature enabling voters to register through EAC’s web site, www.ethioamerican.org.
In September, we teamed up with Sisterspace and Books to conduct our first professional development program for aspiring women entrepreneursan initiative which President Bill Clinton hailed for helping “Ethiopian and African American women access the information, capital, and skills they need to realize their dreams of owning a business.”
Finally, EAC also initiated two letter-writing campaigns regarding immigration and AIDS legislation, which many of our constituents enthusiastically supported.
Looking back over the activities of our inaugural year and at the outcome of the 2000 general election, EAC is delighted that Hillary Rodham Clinton captured the coveted New York Senate seat and that Congressman Jim Moran, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, the newest Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, have both secured their critical seats in the House. Moreover, we are pleased that newcomer Peggy Cooper Cafritz will have an opportunity to implement her ideas for educational reform as President of the DC Public School Board and that Council Member Adrian Fenty will be able to bring his fresh perspective to the District’s Committee on Economic Development.
Now, standing on the threshold of a new millennium, EAC intends to continue fighting on behalf of our community’s interests as the first organized voice for Ethiopians in the U.S. political process. Working together within the democratic system, we will seek to promote a new tradition of responsible citizenship and to use our community’s political power to forge a brighter future for a new generation of Ethiopian-Americans. We extend our deepest thanks to all those who have supported our efforts over the past year and look forward to working with all members of the Ethiopian community to realize the extraordinary opportunities that await us in the New Year and beyond.
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Woyneab Wondwossen ([email protected]) is the Executive Director of Ethiopian-American Constituency, Washington DC.