Visit to the White House

Hola Reinas (Hello Queens):

It is election year.  It is imperative that we exercise our right to vote because women rights are under attack.   I would like to share my experience with you when I visited the White House as a leader of Mocha Moms, Inc.   

On February 15, 2012, the eve of my visit to the White House, a group of Mocha Moms dine at Coco Sala in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.  The food was delicious and the service was excellent!

On February 16^th, 2012 more than 150 Mocha Moms leaders and bloggers attended a Moms Briefing at the White House.  As a Vice-President of the Queens/Long Island Chapter, it was certainly an experience that I will never forget.  The room was filled with beautiful educated women who eagerly listened to the information disseminated, and at the same time participated in a two-way dialogue with the high-ranking officials.  It was refreshing to witness so many women appointed to high-level positions.   I had a feeling of euphoria.  There I was, standing side-by-side with women like myself, educated and concern about issues like the environment, education and healthcare. 

As an educator, I was pleased to learn that the President proposed a $5 billion investment in education as part of the federal budget.  President Obama wants to attract qualified teachers and make the profession honorable as it should be. As a woman, I was delighted to find out that health insurance companies can no longer discriminate against women.  One of the provisions is that methods of birth control will be covered under the new healthcare law.  For more information about the healthcare law, please visit the official government website: www.healthcare.gov   

 Mocha Moms leaders came prepared with numerous questions for the members of the panel which consisted of Dr. Nadine Gracia- Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, Jocelyn Frye- Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Special Projects for the First Lady, Stephanie Owens-Deputy Associate Administrator-EPA, Tyra Mariani- Deputy Chief of Staff-Department of Education.

There was a session “Mom Talk” with Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the EPA, moderated by Kuae Mattox, National President of Mocha Moms-a fierce leader who has taken the organization to new heights.   Lisa Jackson expressed that women have to leverage their multi-tasking skills in the work place.  Furthermore, Mrs. Jackson words “We See You”, assured the sea of women in the audience that the administration understands their concerns.  These words resonated with me and were engraved in my subconscious. 

I would like to extend a special thank you to the hostess, Heather Foster, Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,Inc.  I salute you, OO-OP, OO-OP! 

 White House