In January, we got to hear Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) give a speech in Boston on 'Youth and Politics!'
In February, we were invited to Senator John Kerry's 'Thank-you Massachusetts!' event!
Also in January, we collected quarters and dollars for the Unicef & Clinton Foundation's Tsunami Relief Effort!
March was a great month because we were invited to celebrate Senator Ted Kennedy's Birthday at a special Dinner. Congressman John Tierney was there too!
Also in March, we testified on youth issues at a 2005 Platform Hearing for the Massachusetts Democratic Party! Our comments helped shape the Party's official platform.
The next week, at the Democratic Committee's Activist Day, we told the County and Town Chairs and other activists about our group -- they gave us a standing ovation!
We helped at an event for Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA)!
We stood with Senator Kerry on Earth Day in April, as he
spoke for better protection of our waterways.
We were invited to the 2005 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention in May!
We had our own booth and collected signatures for Sen. Kerry's Kids First bill.
Our sister chapters of Kids for Democracy in New Hampshire and Washington D.C. have done lots of things too! Check them out on their webpages!
Click on the letter to read a thank-you letter from Senator John Kerry (D-MA)!
Kids for Democracy went to several summer BBQs and picnics, including the Acton Town Democratic Committee Family Picnic. We heard from Mr. Cam Kerry and other Democratic leaders!
The event was fun for all, even for the youngest Democrats!
In September, Kids for Democracy helped in the relief efforts for the Hurricane Katrina survivors.
At right, delivering collections to Valerie Navy-Daniels (left) of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, with Katie Blaz, Youth Policy Advisor to Senator Kerry.
In July, we were invited to address the Massachusetts State Committee. We told the State Committee members that the new KidsforDemocracy.org website was up! During our presentation, the members applauded seven times!
Before the committee meeting, we talked with MA Attorney General and Gubernatorial Candidate Mr. Tom Reilly.
They included Suffolk Co. District Attorney and Attorney General Candidate Martha Coakley, Lieutenant Governor Candidates Deborah Goldberg and Andrea Silbert, and State Representative Jennifer Flanagan of Worcester, MA. Rep. Flanagan, who started working at the State House when she was still a teenager, talked to us about being a young Democratic activist!
Also in October, Kids for Democracy leaders were invited to help welcome 5 U.S. Women Senators to Boston for an event led by Ms. Barbara Lee of Cambridge, MA. We met Senators Cantwell (D-WA), Clinton (D-NY), Feinstein (D-CA), Lincoln (D-AR), and Stabenow (D-MI). We also talked with several women leaders of Massachusetts.
Above right with Attorney General candidate Martha Coakley. 2nd row: Lt. Governor candidates Deborah Goldberg and Andrea Silbert, and with State Rep. Jennifer Flanagan.
During the event, we also got to talk with former DNC Chairman and Newton, MA resident Mr. Steve Grossman.
In November, kid and teen representatives of Kids for Democracy joined Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Phil Johnston, and Mr. Cam Kerry to help launch the state party's Victory '06 campaign.
We're really glad KFD was recruited to get teens, kids, and their families involved in the State Party's coordinated campaign for victory!
In December,
we were invited to Senator Kerry's Birthday party!
It was fun to see many of our friends at the party, including our friends from College Democrats and Young Democrats of America. We all agree - youth rock!
Kids for Democracy with Young Democrat leaders Shaina Walter & Robert Amara.
He asked us to stand with him and Mrs. Teresa Heinz Kerry on stage as he spoke to all his guests!
Kids for Democracy started the 2006 year by volunteering during their winter school break at the State Party HQs and by attending Victory '06 rallies from Springfield to Cape Cod!
Clockwise from top left: Teens volunteer at State Party HQs; with Senator Kennedy's re-election chairman, his grandnephew Matt Kennedy; with New Bedford mayor Scott Lang; with State Party Ex. Director Sue Thomson; with U.S. Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA).
In February, teen leaders of Kids for Democracy were invited to the North Shore Labor Council's 2006 Awards Dinner!
In March, we Kids for Democracy joined Boston Mayor Thomas Menino in his rally for Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA)!
Three of us were asked to be 'Special Volunteers.' After the rally speeches, we got to meet the Senator. A lot of our younger members came with their families to the rally too. One of them brought her autograph book, and Senator Kennedy signed it for her!
We also talked with Matt Kennedy, the Senator's grandnephew and campaign director!
Kids for Democracy also got to ask gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick questions at his rally at Faneuil Hall in March.
With the Patrick Campaign's Press Secretary Libby DeVecchi and Mr. Patrick.
In April, we Kids for Democracy's Teen Leaders were honored for our political activism.
Three of us received nominations to the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. and four to the Junior Statesmen of America Summer Programs at Princeton University.
Several of us were also asked to be teen interns for statewide candidates. News of our honors was featured on the state party's official blog.
Also in April, three of us Kids for Democracy's Co-Founders heard DNC Vice Chair Susan Turnbull speak at the 2006 Convention of Massachusetts College Democrats at Tufts University. Thank-you College Democrats for inviting us!
During our school spring break, we helped gather signatures at the mall so that Democratic candidates could be listed on the November ballots.
In late April, we Kids for Democracy attended a meeting at Boston's Faneuil Hall with Senator John Kerry (D-MA). Senator Kerry spoke about his concerns on the war in Iraq and political dissent. The Senator said it was the responsibility of all citizens to voice dissent in times of failed policies.
After the address, we talked with the Senator's siblings, Mr. Cam Kerry and Ms. Diana Kerry. We'll be helping Mr. Cam Kerry as he chairs our state's Coordinated Victory '06 Campaign.
In May, we Kids for Democracy were asked to welcome guests to the State Party's Annual Roosevelt Dinner in Boston, including keynote speaker Air America Host Al Franken, and honorees Attorney General candidate Martha Coakley and former DNC Finance Chairman Alan Solomont.
Clockwise from top left: with DNC and MA State Committee Member James Roosevelt; Honorees Coakley and Solomont; with Al Franken; with Senator John Kerry (D-MA); with Congressmen Marty Meehen (D-MA) and Edward Markey (D-MA).
Our big event in June was the 2006 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention, where we served as official volunteers! Twelve of us teens helped Victory '06 Co-Chairman Mr. Cam Kerry and other volunteers with recruitment for our fall campaign.
As the day began, we also got to meet many of our congressmen, including John Tierney (D-MA), Marty Meehan (D-MA), and Mike Capuano (D-MA), and even a couple of Democratic bloggers!
Clockwise from top: with Cam Kerry & convention volunteers and bloggers; greeting Congressman John Tierney (D-MA); with Congressman Mike Capuano (D-MA).
We also got to meet state delegate Jane Good. In 1960 during John Kennedy's presidential campaign, Mrs. Good was the teenage-president of the Youth for Kennedy club on the North Shore! Mrs. Good is now a grandmother, and she says she has stayed active in the Democratic Party since her youth - missing only one state convention!
We also met up with Joe and Matt Kennedy. They're the grandkids of Robert F. Kennedy, and sons of former Congressman Joe Kennedy (D-MA), and will be co-chairing their Uncle Ted's Senate re-election campaign.
Inside the delegate hall, we met many of our state's leading Democrats, including Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and former DNC Chairman Steve Grossman.
While votes were being counted, we talked with former presidential nominee and Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. We also approached the delegates to ask if they'd like to sign up for the Victory '06 team. At the end of a long day, Victory '06 Co-Chairs Cam Kerry and Katherine Clark thanked us for a job well done! Congratulations and good luck to our Democratic candidates!
Below, two KFD Co-Founders introduce Congressman Tierney to a new KFD member.
Candidates had to win at least 15% of the delegates' votes to have their names listed on the ballot for the Democratic primary in September. On the right are the candidates that met that goal. Check them out!
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) invited representatives of KFD who collected ballot signatures for him in the spring to join other volunteers at a 'thank-you' breakfast with himself and his wife, Mrs. Victoria Reggie Kennedy. The Senator only needed to collect 10,000 certified signatures. But together, all the volunteers across the Commonwealth collected over 60,000!
Kids for Democracy will continue to help Senator Kennedy with his campaign this summer. Some of us KFD teens will serve as Teen Interns for him.
Summer's here, and we KFD Teens have begun our summer Teen Internships with Senator Kennedy's re-election campaign!
Second from left: four of the Teen Interns with MassVictory'06 Student Coordinator Chris Dempsey and Massachusetts Democratic Party Regional Field Coordinator Stephanie Noguera.
Kids for Democracy from Massachusetts welcomed members from New Hampshire and Vermont to Boston's historic Faneuil Hall in June. We gathered to hear Senator John Kerry (D-MA) speak on the needs for greater energy independence and environmental protection.
Clockwise from top left: group photo; older KFD teens congratulate the young guest speaker from Vermont; with Senator Kerry and KFD NH Chaperones Rep. Barbara French (D-NH) and Brenda MacLellan; kids are interviewed after the event; priority seating; a reunion with MA Democratic supporter Joanne O'Keefe.
Kids Hear Senator Kerry's Energy Policy Speech at Faneuil Hall
Teens Begin Summer Internship for Senator Kennedy's Campaign
Senator Kennedy Thanks KFD for Ballot Signatures &
Teens Get Invites to be Campaign Interns
KFD Teens Named Official Volunteers to 2006 State Convention
Kids for Democracy Are Official Greeters to Roosevelt Dinner
Teens Attend Senator Kerry's Speech on Iraq War
Kids for Democracy Teens Win Honors!
Teens Are Special Guests at MA College Democrats Convention
Kids are Special Volunteers at Kennedy Rally
Kids Meet Gubernatorial Candidate Deval Patrick
Teens Attend Labor Awards Dinner
2006 Gets Off to Active Start!
Check Out Our Amazing First Year in 2005!
At the end of June, we were asked to be official greeters at the DNC's Boston rally with DNC Chairman Governor Howard Dean to Boston! We greeted a lot of the State Committee members there, including Mrs. Kate Donaghue.
June was amazing! Four of us KFD co-founders went to Washington, D.C. We visited the DNC, Capitol Hill, and got to speak with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Senator Kerry invited us to his office and to the annual Senate ice cream social!
We were also invited to a speaker's luncheon with the Congressional Interns at the DNC HQs to hear Congressman Kendrick Meeks (D-FL).
In October, Kids for Democracy joined hundreds of marchers to retrace Martin Lurther King Jr.'s Boston civil rights march of 1965 and to hear from civil rights hero Georgia Congressman John Lewis. The 2005 march was called "Retracing the Struggle." Senator Kerry, Mr. Cam Kerry, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino marched too!
KFD Teens Complete Summer Leadership Symposia at Princeton
In honor of their political activism, four KFD Teens were invited to represent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the Summer '06 Junior Statesmen of America Symposia at Princeton University.
Congratulations to Deval Patrick and Tim Murray
-- Our Democratic Nominees!
Kids for Democracy Congratulate
Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Deval Patrick!
And Lt. Governor Nominee Tim Murray!
linked on Daily Kos blog!
Kids for Democracy Invited to Boston Rally!
Younger brother gets tips on how to hold a sign.
Kids for Democracy were invited to the Democratic Unity Rally in Boston hosted by Mayor Tom Menino. We and our families heard speeches by the Mayor, former candidates Chris Gabrieli and Deb Goldberg, Lt. Governor Nominee Tim Murray, and our Nominee for Governor, Deval Patrick!
After his speech, Deval Patrick thanked us kids for coming!
Hurry, Hurry, For Patrick & Murray!
Kids for Democracy in Worcester helped welcome our Mayor Tim Murray back to town with a big rally for the Patrick-Murray '06 campaign in front of City Hall!
After the rally, we and our moms congratulated Mrs. Murray (in the red jacket at right) too!
This summer, I had the opportunity to be a teen intern for Deval Patrick, the 2006 Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee for Massachusetts, and the man I believe should be the next governor of this Commonwealth.
While working on Mr. Patrick's campaign, I learned a lot about his politics, his office policies, and got tons of experience working on a campaign. While I was there, I stamped envelopes, answered and made phone calls, entered data into a computer, and did various other jobs around the headquarters. Even though these things were not very exciting, I enjoyed doing them because I knew I was helping to elect an inspiring and intelligent leader.
Not only did Deval Patrick start in politics as a youth, just as many Kids for Democracy have, but he is a role model for every child or teen interested in becoming a strong leader. Deval Patirck is someone who had humble beginnings growing up on the southside of Chicago, but raised himself up to attend prestigious schools here in Massachusetts (he moved here when he was 14 years old) and eventually become an influencial leader. His story proves to youth that no matter who you are, or where you come from, you can become a role model guide for many people.
Mr. Patrick's political ideas are also ones that I support. From striving to create educational programs that help all children succeed, to wanting healthcare to be available to everyone, Deval Patrick genuinely wants to make Massachusetts a better state. Because of his real-life political aspirations, his focus on youth in politics, and most importantly his inspirational leadership, I support Deval Patrick and believe he will make a fabulous governor of Massachusetts!
-- O.L., age 14
Why I Support Deval Patrick!
Photo credit: Boston Herald
Special thanks to the campaign's Boston desk coordinator Jessica Taubner for inviting us kids!
Teen Interns Help Senator Kennedy Welcome the Patricks to Hyannis!
Teen Interns for Senator Kennedy were honored to help the Senator and Mrs. Kennedy welcome Gubernatorial Nominee Deval Patrick and Mrs. Patrick to a cook-out with supporters at the Kennedy Family Compound in Hyannis!
Above with Kennedy Campaign Manager Marty Walsh.
The teens were thanked for the 288 hours of volunteer work they put into the campaign over the summer and encouraged by the Senator to stay active throughout the fall for Mr. Patrick and all of Massachusetts' Democratic nominees.
Younger members of Kids for Democracy were also represented at the cook-out! And, as usual with younger KFD kids, they brought their parents!
Clockwise from top left: flying kites on the Compound green; a KFD family portrait; teens with Congressman William Delahunt (D-MA); with Massachusetts Democratic Party Ex. Director Sue Thomson; with Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA).
Kids for Democracy Teen Intern Introduces Deval Patrick!
Our KFD Teen Intern with Deval Patrick's campaign was invited to introduce the Massachusetts Gubernatorial Nominee at a recent event in her hometown! The 300+ adults and kids at the event cheered the teen on as she read her blog entry (see below) to introduce Mr. Patrick.
Diane Patrick with KFD Moms
Overflow crowd in downtown Boston!
There were lots of special moms at the Women for Deval event in October. One was Mrs. Juna Elam-Mooers. Her children attended Milton Academy at the same time as Deval Patrick did. Since Deval Patrick had moved as a 14-year-old boy all the way from Chicago to go to school in Milton, Mrs. Elam-Mooers was his 'Milton Mom.' She and her family opened their home to Deval Patrick for weekends and holidays and hosted Deval's own mom when she came to Massachusetts too!
Kids - and Moms! - Meet Up With Deval Patrick and Tim Murray on Campaign Trail!
Also in mid-October, Kids for Democracy joined elected leaders from Quincy, including State Treasurer Tim Cahill (D-MA), for a South Shore Community Meeting with Deval Patrick and Tim Murray!
Checking the view from seats with mom before meeting starts!
Kids areasked to be part of Team Patrick too!
Quincy High Auditorium is packed!
Join Deval Patrick and Tim Murray for a historic rally in the Boston Common (the bandstand near Tremont street), this Sunday, October 15th, at 2:30 p.m! Bring your family and friends to Rally for Change!
President Clinton Comes to Boston to Support Our Candidates!
Boston Common Rally Is A HUGE Success!
Melrose Kids Cheer for Patrick & Murray too!
Wow! We called, and you came! So many kids joined their families and friends for the Patrick/Murray Rally for Change in Boston Common! Our teen leaders made over 500 KFD stickers to pass out to kids at the rally -- and they ran out! In fact, the crowd was estimated at over 5400 people! Kids and their families cheered, listened to Deval Patrick's inspiring words, and some kids even helped their parents phone supporters with lists passed out by the campaign!
We want to thank Patrick/Murray Boston Coordinator Rose Arruda and everyone at the campaign for asking Kids for Democracy to be a part of this historic event!
Kids and their families were on hand too for a Saturday Town Meeting with Deval Patrick and Tim Murray in Melrose, Massachusetts!
Teen Leaders Get DNC Training at Harvard!
A Kid for Democracy got to attend President Cinton's Rally for Deval Patrick in Boston.
President Clinton told a crowd of over 1400 adults that Deval Patrick will make a great governor of Massachusetts! He also reminded everyone of what our founding fathers knew -- we have to work together to "form a more perfect union." Thanks, Mr. President! Together,we can!
See President Clinton's speech by clicking here!
In the 1990s, Deval Patrick served as Assistant Attorney General for President Clinton. President Clinton said he was so proud of Deval Patrick!
Our Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, and Lt. Governor Nominee Tim Murray also spoke to the enthusiastic crowd!
Getting the word out four days before the rally!
Teens with DNC Trainer Parag Mehta
Podium Photo credit: TruthandPolitics.com
Boston teen leaders get thanks from Diane Patrick and Boston Mayor Menino.
With State Representative Kay Khan
President Clinton Leads Worcester Rally for Patrick & Murray!
In late October, President Bill Clinton accepted an invitation from Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) to return to Worcester, Massachusetts to lead a rally for Deval Patrick & Tim Murray! Lots of us Kids for Democracy were there!
(l to r) the President with Tim Murray and Cong. McGovern; at the podium; Mrs. Murray, Deval Patrick, Mrs. Patrick
KFD Teen Leaders at start of rally, with bag-pipers behind!
Teen Interns for Deval Patrick meet up after rally.
Left: Congratulations to a local KFD member -- and TV access kid reporter! -- who got to cover the event!
Our thanks to Mr. Murray's Volunteer Coordinator Sandi Fox for inviting KFD to the arena floor, giving us the chance to greet the President!
Teen Leaders of Kids for Democracy
with Young Democrat Leaders Rob Amara and Shaina Walter.
President Clinton reminded everyone that the inventors of grassroots politics -- a success of Deval Patrick's campaign -- was the Kennedy Family! He said Senator Ted Kennedy's brothers, President John Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy, inspired him when he got interested in politics as a teen!
Teen Bill Clinton met President Kennedy in 1963!
Younger kids attend with dad!
Kids & Teens Continue Campaign Effort!
So many kids and teens -- and their parents and friends! -- took part in campaign activities the last weekend in October! While kids went with their families and friends to one of the five community meetings with Deval Patrick and Tim Murray, several teens worked at the campaign headquarters to prepare get-out-the-vote packets and phone-bank! At the meetings, Deval Patrick said a lot of kids are telling him that they're doing school reports on the election. Here's an interesting fact for those reports that we learned in Methuen, Massachusetts: in Spanish, our campaign slogan, Together We Can! is Juntos Podemos! Bravo on a great weekend, everyone!
Kids for Democracy Rally with Deval Patrick, Tim Murray & Barack Obama!
Above: kids get set for rally; enjoy the speeches; meet up with their friends; and get thanks from Mrs. Patrick for coming to the rally!
Kids for Democracy got to meet Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) at a special Boston Get-Out-The-Vote Rally for our candidates Deval Patrick and Tim Murray!
Teen leaders with Boston Field Coordinators Marie Turley & Rose Arruda!
Senator Obama greets the kids!
Get-Out-The-Vote Rallies!
Photos from the last weekend of campaigning!
Clockwise from top left: Senator Ted Kennedy thanks his grandkids for helping too; Governor-Elect Deval Patrick; confetti celebration; KFD teen and kid representatives with Patrick/Murray Boston Desk Coordinator Jessica Anne Taubner; campaign team; close-up with Mr. Patrick and Lt. Governor-Elect Tim Murray; making new friends at the Cahill Party; being interviewed by student press.
Our thanks to
Senator Ted Kennedy, Governor-Elect Deval Patrick,
Lt. Governor-Elect Tim Murray, all of our great
Congressional leaders & the Massachusetts Democratic Party for asking Kids for Democracy to be part of Victory in 2006!
Teen Interns make phone calls!
With Patrick/Murray Campaign Director John Walsh.
