Advocacy Day in Washington: 2010

Save the Children Supporters Are Heard in Washington

"Advocacy Matters" said Cokie Roberts during a reception at Save the Children's Advocacy Day. Participants proved Roberts right again last year during meetings with senators and representatives where they passionately spoke on children's issues both in the U.S. and around the world.

At Advocacy Day attendees learned details about, newborn and maternal survival and U.S. after-school programs. Supporters then split up into teams for meetings at the offices of nearly 130 different members of Congress. The goal was to persuade Congress to increase funding for health programs, as well as expand after-school programs for vulnerable American children.

Also making a “House” call at Advocacy Day was Lisa Edelstein who plays Dr. Lisa Cuddy on Fox’s hit TV show House. She talked about the effectiveness of global health programs that can train community medical workers for $150. "It took me a lot more than that to put myself through college and end up a fake doctor," Edelstein quipped.

Advocacy Day is always a fun time. Last year a few video bloggers got creative documenting their experiences in Washington. Check out their videos from Advocacy Day 2010: Kristina and Matt.

The participants’ advocacy paid off. Two seventh-graders from Kentucky, Ayesha and Divija, asked their representative, John Yarmuth, to cosponsor the child survival bill. His response? "Absolutely!"

As well as asking representatives to support legislation and increase funding, Save the Children honored Senator Richard Durbin, Senator Bob Corker and Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer for their work on behalf of children's issues.

Last Updated December 2010