Westchester County Executive George Latimer recently welcomed the new members and officers of the Aquehung Women’s Democratic Club, one of the oldest political clubs in the City of Yonkers. He congratulated President Nicole Benjamin, Vice President Andrea Brown, Treasurer Kathleen Thomas, Corresponding Secretary Jill Shapiro and Recording Secretary Joyce Henery.
Aquehung Women’s Democratic Club, Inc., was founded in 1965 to give women a voice in Yonkers Democratic elections.
The club was formed during a time when Democrats were in the minority in Yonkers. The political involvement of Democratic women was necessary to promote Democratic candidates. Although the electorate in Yonkers has shifted and Democrats are in the majority, Aquehung’s aim remains to promote Democratic candidates, particularly women candidates, into elected office in Yonkers.
The objectives of Aquehung are: to educate its members regarding government operations and civic concerns; to teach and promulgate the principles of Americanism; to support the election to office of qualified Democratic candidates; to provide a pool of volunteer talent to support each candidate; to inform its members of election procedures; to provide a two-way channel of communication between club members, candidates and elected party and public officials; and lastly, to provide monetary contributions to candidates who meet the criteria established by the club.
Aquehung women are district leaders, carry petitions, hand out literature, operate the phone bank, fundraise and write letters for Yonkers Democratic candidates. Aquehung supports all Democratic Party-endorsed candidates in the general election. However, individual members are free to support candidates of their choice in primaries.
The new board of Aquehung was sworn in March 19, by Yonkers City Court Judge Tom Quinones and welcomed by Latimer.
Aquehung meets from September to June at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Will Library in the Flynn Room; save the date for the annual Garden Party on Sunday, June 3.
All Yonkers Democratic women are welcome to join Aquehung. If you would like to become a member of Aquehung and/or support its events, email nbenjamin08@gmail.com for more information.
