Sister Simone Campbell serves as Keynote speaker

The Jefferson County Organization of Democratic Women proudly announce Sister Simone Campbell will serve as keynote speaker at their annual fundraiser, “Almost Heaven.” This year the event will take place at the Skylight Terrace Restaurant and Ballroom in the Charles Town Casino on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.
Sister Simone Campbell is Executive Director of NETWORK in Washington. She is a religious leader, attorney and poet with extensive experience in public policy and advocacy for systemic change. In Washington. She lobbies on issues of peace building and economic justice. Around the country, she is a noted speaker and educator on these public policy issues. Most recently she has been recognized for her work on healthcare reform especially as it affects the working poor of our nation.
Prior to coming to NETWORK, Simone served as the Executive Director of JERICHO, the California interfaith public policy organization that works like NETWORK to protect the interests of people who are poor. She also served as the general director of her religious community, the Sisters of Social Service. She was the leader of her sisters in the United States, Mexico, Taiwan and the Philippines.
In 1978, Campbell founded and served for 18 years as the lead attorney for the Community Law Center in Oakland, Calif. She served the family law and probate needs of the working poor of her county.
Close to her heart are two experiences that Simone had in the Middle East. In December 2002 she participated in a delegation of religious leaders to Iraq just prior to the war. And in January 2008 she returned to the area to Lebanon and Syria to witness firsthand the plight of Iraqi refugees. Since returning from these trips, she has spoken and written extensively on her experience.
Campbell has been the guest on many television shows because of her knowledge about government policy and sincere concern for American citizens. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling Pat Taylor at 304-728-9991 or Virginia Graf, 304-728-2829. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Kipyn Martin, a local Charles Town musician, will provide the entertainment. Martin is a songwriter and singer, and a graduate of Shepherd and Shenandoah universities.