Aug 17, 2013
Washington, DC – Governor Martin O’Malley, Maryland and Governor Deval L. Patrick of
Massachusetts are the first Governors to proclaim August 22 as a “Day of Non-Violence.”
This national initiative is being spearheaded by Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC)
a national civic organization, and the Summit Council of supporters. BW4PC is a national
civic network dedicated to preserving and strengthening the American Middle/Working Class.
The network believes violence in America is threatening the very survival of the
Middle/Working Class and as a result BW4PC is focusing on “Changing the Culture of
Violence in America.”
In a joint statement Black Women for Positive Change National Co-Chairs Dr. Stephanie
Myers and Delegate Daun S. Hester said, “We are calling on national, state and local leaders
and Faith Leaders to actively promote the concept on Non-Violence in their cities and states,
churches, schools, recreation centers and in the workplace. There are too many acts of
senseless violence in America, and they must stop. We are proud of the elected officials who
have declared August 22, 2013, a “Day of Non-Violence” and the many Faith Leaders who
are educating their communities—particularly youth–about the power of non-violence as a
conflict resolution tool. This emphasis on Non-Violence is appropriate during the Week of the
50th Anniversary of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington.”
Black Women for Positive Change is an official Partner in the 50th Anniversary of the March
on Washington.
The elected officials in nine States and the District of Columbia who have declared
Proclamations and Resolutions for a “Day of Non-Violence” and have sent Letters of
Congratulations include:
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland
Governor Martin J. O’Malley, Maryland
Governor Deval L. Patrick, Massachusetts
Mayor William A. Bell, Sr., City of Birmingham, Alabama
Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Denver, Colorado
Councilman Marion Barry, City Council of the District of Columbia
Mayor Vincent C. Gray, District of Columbia
Mayor Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Columbus, Georgia
Mayor Mitchell Landreau, New Orleans, Louisiana
Commissioner Reuben B. Collins, II and County Commissioners, Charles County, Maryland
National Summit on Non‐Violence
“Changing the Culture of Violence in America”
Convened by Black Women for Positive Change and Summit Council
P.O. Box 78211, Washington, DC 20013; Fax 202‐403‐3022
Bkwomen4PosChange@gmail.com; www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org
County Executive Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County, Maryland
County Executive Rushern L. Baker, Prince Georges County, Maryland
Councilor Charles C. Yancey, City Council, Boston, Massachusetts
Councilor Tito Jackson, City Council, Boston, Massachusetts
Mayor Rita Sanders, Bellevue, Nebraska
Mayor Chris Beutler, Lincoln, Nebraska
Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, City Council, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mayor John A. Thompson, Borough of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
Mayor Marcus E. Knight, Lancaster, Texas
Mayor Annise Danette Parker, Houston, Texas
Mayor William D. Euille, Alexandria, Virginia
Mayor Will Sessoms, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Mayor Paul David Fraim, Norfolk, Virginia
Mayor Kenneth I. Wright, Portsmouth, Virginia
The National Day of Non-Violence is held in conjunction with the National Summit on Non-
Violence in observance of the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic March on
Washington. The full-day summit will begin with a Youth Summit at 9 a.m., followed by panel
discussions from 1 pm – 5 pm. The Summit will be held at the historic Metropolitan AME
Church, 1518 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Faith leaders, community leaders, youth
groups, business leaders and elected officials are invited to attend. Registration is free at
www.blackwomenforpostiivechange.org
National Summit on Non‐Violence
“Changing the Culture of Violence in America”
Convened by Black Women for Positive Change and Summit Council
P.O. Box 78211, Washington, DC 20013; Fax 202‐403‐3022
Bkwomen4PosChange@gmail.com; www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org
For Immediate Release Contact: Bernadette Tolson 202-997-0655
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