“If ever is a time for sisters to come together, this is one of those times,” extolled radio host Bev Smith. “We have the power to change to decide who’s in the White House.”

The event was billed as “Power of the Sister Vote” Get Out the Vote Dinner and rally and drew women from nearly every sector of the Black community, women affiliated with various religions, sororities, professions, schools, civil rights and social agencies, grass roots and civic volunteers. A Clairton youth group of teenage girls—Enlightenment—were there too.            

Nearly 150 women assembled and collectively established a Pittsburgh Black Women’s Roundtable seeking to connect women regardless of organization or political affiliation in a broad network to impact public policy in the interest of the Black community.

“It’s time to put to put this division aside and come together,” urged Smith

The Black Women’s Roundtable is a project that brings together individuals and organizations committed to social justice and economic equality through the increased participation of women in the political process.

The nonpartisan function was coordinated by the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, a Washington, D.C., non-profit Black civic coalition with more than 80 members.

“I’m a huge believer in group collaboration to accomplish a goal,” said Joy Woodruff, president of African American Women for Political Change and a member of the North Hills Ebony Women, who was part of the host committee.

Reverend Dr. Judith C. Moore, convener of the effort, said the specific purpose was to get women to share what they will individually do to get people to the polls, and to distribute voter education materials. She worked in tandem with Melanie L. Campbell, national CEO and executive director of NCBCP, who brought Susan Taylor along to fire up the troops

Taylor, editor emerita of Essence Magazine, reminded the audience that voting is a part of the self-love process because “you vote for you and the candidate that best reflects your spirit.”

A similar event (also with Taylor) was held in Philadelphia the same weekend and both gatherings were specifically planned to as a lead up to Pennsylvania’s presidential primary.