MIAMI — After weeks of anticipation, Marleine Bastien will officially enter the race to become the first Haitian-American in U.S. Congress.
Surrounded by her supporters, family and friends, Bastien will announce her candidacy at the Gwen Margolis Center, August 20th, 2009 at 7pm. On the platform: Marleine Bastien: A VOICE FOR CHANGE – A VOICE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
Marleine Bastien is world-known for her advocacy on behalf of immigrants and women’s rights. She won the Ms. Woman of the Year Award in 2001 and was named by the Miami Herald as “One of the Forty People To Watch in the Next Millennium” in 1999. In 2005, Essence Magazine recognized her as “One of the 35 Most Remarkable Women in The World” for her tireless efforts as the voice for immigrants and their families and the 30,000 Haitians seeking temporary protected status.
Her advocacy for health care, decent and affordable housing, quality education, job development and a living wage for all workers, and her demonstrated skills as a coalition builder working with the diverse communities within the 17th district and the entire South Florida has a positive impact on all our lives.
Marleine Bastien has been associated with the founding of most organizations and campaigns aimed at improving the quality of life of South Floridians. One of 10 finalists for the Florida Women Hall of Fame this year, she said about her candidacy: “My life is about service. Organizing and serving my community are the compass that guides all my actions.
Being a member of Congress will afford me the opportunity to bring South Florida’s issues to a much wider forum. I have a unique advantage of having worked on all sides of the issues as a practitioner, an advocate, and a problem solver. I have been to Washington to testify on the issues that affect the 17th district, now I want to be there as a member of Congress to be a strong, compassionate and persuasive voice for South Florida. I am ready for the challenge!”
The Gwen Margolis Center is located at 1590 N.E. 123 Street, North Miami, Florida 33161.
