The Democracy Initiative is a coalition of organizations launched in 2013 working toward a bright future in which all Americans participate fully and freely in the democratic process. We believe that the voice of every citizen should be heard and counted, so all of us have an equal say in a democracy that is of, by, and for the people. Our partner organizations pursue a diverse range of progressive goals, including civil rights, workers’ rights, women’s rights, and climate justice, but we know that success in any of these areas depends on reforming our democracy.
United by a shared vision for a political process that counts every voice and every vote equally, we are mobilizing members of Democracy Initiative organizations to ensure that all Americans can vote, diminish the influence of corporate and special interests, and halt the obstruction that has thrown our Congress out of balance. Together, we can break down these barriers and protect our democracy from the systematic effort to shift power from the many to a wealthy few by silencing our voices in the workplace, in the ballot box, and in the offices of our elected officials.
Our Principles
Amidst our tapestry of just causes, democracy is our north star, the bedrock of our shared beliefs and the strategic center of gravity around which we agitate. As large corporations and an elite few control more wealth and power the tenets of our democracy come under threat. Click here to read our solutions to strengthen our democracy and the role we play amongst our 58 member organizations and 30 million members.
Our Story
2016 Program Strategy
In December 2015, Democracy Initiative leaders and endorsers gathered to discuss and lay out the 2016 Program Strategy. Click here to read more.
Board
Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause President, Co-Chair
Annie Leonard, Greenpeace USA Executive Director, Co-Chair
Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director
Tefere Gebre, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President
Staff
Wendy Fields, Executive Director
Michelle Whittaker, Communications / Digital Media Director
Getachew Kassa, Senior Campaigner
David Sanchez, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
Linda Ewing, Senior Policy and Training Fellow
Elana Orbuch, Program Assistant and Office Manager
Raven Keenan, Grassroots Mobilizing and Communications Intern
Coordinating Committee
Rachel Rye Butler, Democracy Campaigner, Greenpeace
Aquene Freechild, Co-Director, Democracy is for People Campaign, Public Citizen
Courtney Hight, Director, Democracy Program, Sierra Club
Jessica Newman, Legislation, Policy and Human Rights Coordinator, CWA
Jamal Watkins, National Outreach Director, Campaigns, AFL-CIO