Growing the American Dream Movement
A record number of working Americans believe that the American Dream is out of reach. Shockingly, 69 percent believe it will be even harder for their children to achieve the Dream than it was for them. However, an "American Dream Movement"—progressives of all stripes who understand that the interconnected nature of the challenges we face requires a comprehensive set of solutions—has already begun to grow. Join us for a discussion of this movement—its goals, direction, and tactics—with progressive leaders and others with a stake in restoring the American Dream for everyone.
David Bonior is the Chair of American Rights at Work's Board of
Directors and has served in this role since 2003. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1976, he served for 26 years. When he retired, he had held the position of Democratic Whip for 10 years. His tenure in Congress was marked by a passion for social and economic justice.
Born in Detroit, he graduated from the University of Iowa and received a Masters Degree in history from Chapman College.
In 2007-2008, Bonior served as the national campaign manager for John Edwards' presidential campaign.
As the director of Change to Win's Strategic Organizing Center, Tom Woodruff works to ensure that the nine out of 10 American workers not yet in a union can achieve the American Dream. Additionally, he serves as the International Executive Vice President of SEIU.
Woodruff began organizing in 1974 with health care workers in West Virginia. He helped their once tiny local grow into a powerful 13,000 member organization, giving workers in some of America's most rural communities a voice. Tom has overseen organizing for SEIU since 1996, helping more than 900,000 workers unite.
Leila McDowell is a communications strategist who works exclusively on social change issues. Currently, she works on behalf of the Justice at Smithfield campaign, representing workers in Tar Heel, North Carolina who have been fighting to join together in a union since 1994.
She is a co-founder and former vice president of McKinney & McDowell Associates, which grew from one client to a major firm successful in helping its clients impact the national conversation and change national perception and policy.
McDowell is a former broadcast reporter with several ABC affiliates, WPIX-TV (NY), CNN, NPR, AP radio and others.
