Events
Throughout the academic year, we host dozens of events for hundreds of students about the pressing issues that affect our nation and world, while providing inspiration and guidance for students aspiring to be active members of society. Some of our past speaking events have included Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Mark Warner, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, DNC Chair Tom Perez, and President Joseph Biden, among many other elected officials and members of Congress.
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Past Events
ANNUAL WINTER GALA TO BENEFIT PLANNED PARENTHOOD
The 2017 annual Dems winter gala to benefit Planned Parenthood was thrown in honor of our departing president and all he had accomplished over the previous eight years. GW College Democrats were proud to raise over $10,000 for Planned Parenthood.
DEMSGIVING
Every Thanksgiving, GW College Democrats celebrate “Demsgiving”—a potluck style event where members join together as a Dems family to eat Thanksgiving food classics, listen to holiday music, spend time with friends, and reflect on what we’re thankful for.
DEBATES
GWCD help organize and take part in several debates throughout the year with other campus organizations, such as GW College Republicans. These are opportunities for the different groups to share their thoughts on a variety of topics facing the nation, as well as answer GW students' questions on the issues.
KICK-OFF
GW Democrats hosts speakers at the start of every academic year to address their membership. In 2016, we hosted Representative Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) and author, writer, and interviewer Marianne Schnall, who discussed the importance of gender and racial parity in the leadership of our communities and our country. Our 2015 guest was Ezra Klein – founder and editor-in-chief of Vox.com – who discussed the media’s pivotal role in the 2016 election.
ONLY AT GW
Annual #OnlyAtGW Debates, hosted by the GW Program Board, College Democrats, and College Republicans, feature prominent members of both political parties debating hot-button issues. In 2016, Former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney debated on behalf of GWCD versus former Republican Congressman Allen West on behalf of GWCR. The event was moderated by alumna Hadas Gold of Politico.
GOTV - Get Out the Vote
PENNSYLVANIA CAMPAIGN TRIP, OCTOBER 2016
Just two weeks before the election, GW College Democrats spent their fall break volunteering for Hillary for PA, 2016 PA Senate candidate Katie McGinty, and NARAL in Pennsylvania. In addition to canvassing in numerous neighborhoods and making thousands of phone calls, students had the opportunity to attend Pennsylvania’s final Senate debate between Pat Toomey and Katie McGinty, and had the chance to see Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine speak in Philadelphia.
NORTH CAROLINA CAMPAIGN TRIP, SEPTEMBER 2016
On the third full weekend of school, over 100 GW College Democrats traveled to Raleigh to volunteer with the North Carolina Democratic Party. In addition to leading voter registration efforts in numerous locations throughout the city, students had the opportunity to hear Gloria Steinem speak about the importance of the 2016 election. On the last day of the trip, students worked with the Hillary Clinton HQ and made volunteer recruitment calls. At the conclusion of the trip, GW Dems made over 10,000 calls and registered hundreds to vote.
BEN AND JERRY'S POLITICS AND PINTS, APRIL 2016
In April 2016, GW College Dems hosted Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's, who talked about campaign finance reform and overturning Citizens United. The pair also scooped free ice cream for those in attendance.
