Stay Strong. Stay Focused. Stay United

It’s hard to believe it has already been two years since I stepped into the role of president. It has been a tremendous honor to lead this organization, and I’m deeply grateful to the incredible board of directors who have served with me and all our volunteers who have given their time and shared their talents with us.

Over the past two years, and especially in the last four months, it has become increasingly clear just how vital grassroots organizations like WDC are. In the face of the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on federal workers, the rule of law, institutions of higher education, and the very foundations of our democracy, our role has never been more essential.

I want to quote Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, executive director of the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center at NYU School of Law. She wrote recently in The Contrarian: “When news out of the nation’s capital feels like too much to bear, … take the fight local. It is not just a platitude. The time for pressure is right now in many states—and it is on all of us to support groups on the ground, show up for our neighbors, and speak up for our values and to our leaders.”

She’s right—we know intuitively she is. She’s reminding us that local action is both powerful and urgent. The only question is whether we’ll embrace it with all that’s needed.

As we look ahead, we face serious challenges. Reckless federal policies continue to threaten civil liberties, economic stability, public education, access to healthcare, and environmental protections. Now more than ever, we need strong leadership at the state and county levels, and we absolutely need the vital work of civic and grassroots organizations like WDC. And to do the work, WDC needs you.

From keeping you informed about key events in our region, to bringing you dynamic speakers like Heather Cox Richardson, Jill Wine-Banks, and Simon Rosenberg, WDC has consistently stepped up to lead the way on education and action. We’ve also connected you with our elected leaders from Gov. Wes Moore, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, to Rep. Jamie Raskin, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and others because we are committed to providing you with timely and valuable information about the issues that matter most to our community. WDC aims to empower members and work in partnership with allies to transform shared concerns into meaningful educational programming, effective advocacy, and action.

We are proud to work with other groups, like the Maryland Democratic Party, Do The Most Good, the Women’s National Democratic Club, Indivisible MoCoWomen, Silver Spring Progressive Action, and others that are leading boots-on-the-ground efforts in VA & NJ, the only two states with elections in 2025, and in our own communities. On June 14, WDC is co-sponsoring “No Kings on the Pike,” a National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration. Click HERE for more details. Please share and plan to join us

We will continue to share many other opportunities to help with getting out the vote and fundraising to support democratic candidates in 2025 and 2026.

We must continue this work and face the challenges ahead together!

As I prepare to step down along with this executive committee, I’m thrilled to see a new group of dedicated members stepping up to lead. I am so excited to introduce a phenomenal slate of incoming nominees for officers at our Biennial Meeting and Reception on June 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Women’s Club of Chevy Chase. Please join us!

We are honored to welcome Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown as our keynote speaker. Attorney General Brown will share how he and like-minded attorneys general around the country are protecting us and defending the rule of law during these challenging times.

In addition to electing new WDC leadership and hearing from our speaker, this event will be a celebration of our collective efforts, our shared successes, and our continued commitment to the work ahead. It will be a wonderful opportunity to come together, reconnect, recommit, and re-energize for the future. I can’t wait to see you there!

Please note that this is a membership event: You must be a current member, and all members in attendance will be eligible to vote. If you’re not yet a member, we encourage you to join and be part of the vital work WDC is doing. We would be honored to have you as a partner in this effort.

Stay Strong. Stay Focused. Stay United.

Tazeen Ahmad

President