The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee Announces Campaign Grant Winners of 2008

September 9, 2008

The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee (ERLC) announced the winners of its 2008 Campaign Grant. Founded in 2001 by former New York State Democratic Committee Chair Judith Hope, the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee was designed to build a new generation of pro-choice Democratic women candidates, informed voters and activists in New York State.

Among the recipients chosen, the ERLC awarded Velmanette Montgomery a 2008 Campaign Grant to help fund her race for Senate.

Senator Montgomery (D-Brooklyn) is one of 59 recipients chosen for the fall 2008 cycle. Montgomery stated, "This grant represents very important support to my campaign and demonstrates confidence in my ability to win this seat. I am extremely grateful to Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy."

Since it founding, the ERLC has elected over 370 women to state and local office across New York State and equipped over 600 women with the skills they need to run and win. The ERLC give out Campaign Grants every year to progressive women candidates with a demonstrated commitment to upholding a woman's right to choose and to promoting the values of the Democratic Party.

To be eligible for a Grant, a candidate must be pro-choice, female, and a registered Democrat running for state or local office in the state of New York. This year, the Board awarded 59 Grants. ERLC President Cathy Lasry said, "We are thrilled to be supporting such outstanding women candidates who will work hard to put our communities and the State of New York, back on the right track again."

The ERLC will celebrate this year's grantees at their Annual Fall Luncheon with special guests Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Governor David Paterson and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson. This year's luncheon honors Judith Hope, founder of the ERLC and former Chair of the NYS Democratic Committee.