AKPA Spokane - the first chapter founded by the chartering organization, the May Arkwright Hutton Democratic Alliance.
The board members of the May Arkwright Hutton Democratic Alliance announced the formation of AKPA Spokane August 2005 at a celebration attended by over 60 enthusiastic women. We are organized to honor and continue the work of reformist political women.
Western women embraced the suffrage movement knowing that only emancipation and full political involvement would properly reflect their contributions in frontier American communities.
For more information on our organization and how YOU can join - email our president at president@akpaspokane.org.*
What is the Progressive Alliance?
Following the high energy campaign activities for Kerry-Edwards, Patty Murray, Chris Gregoire, Don Barbieri, Lisa Brown, Laurie Dolan and other Spokane-area candidates in 2004, a "work group" of Jan Baker, Diane Crow, Becky Graham, Yvonne Griffin, Nan Ingalls, Kathleen Nuffer and Kirsten Straight started a discussion in the spring of 2005 on how to best continue the work of progressive Democratic women.*
We discussed our commitment to encourage women who may consider themselves apolitical, "independents" and/or just plan cynical about politics to enter the political arena by offering activities such as book groups, forums and speakers in order to facilitate an "awakening" in these women. Apropos of Mother Jones' quotation, "Educate, agitate and organize!"
We also wanted to recognize and honor the progressive women leaders and political activists who came before us. So we decided to name the local after an area woman who demonstrated commitment to ideals in our mission statement. Agnes Kehoe was instrumental in a variety of social service and civic projects in Hillyard. Her husband Thomas was elected mayor in 1911. A committee of both Republicans and Democrats began asking Thomas in the late 1920s if he would let his wife file for office. He finally agreed, but said he wouldn't vote for her! In 1938 she filed for the WA State House of Representatives and was elected four times without ever campaigning. She worked steadfastly for social security measures but the bill she was the most proud of was the one appropriating money for county libraries.
May Arkwright Hutton Democratic Alliance
We are charted by the Hutton Democratic Alliance. This "governing" organization provides communication among Alliance locals (others are yet to be formed). The Democratic Alliance also will host a bi-annual training conference for all members and a bi-annual business meeting for local Alliance presidents. As part of the Hutton Democratic Alliance, we will encourage the formation of other local Alliance organizations and who share our mission wherever a minimum of eight women gather.
*Please note we certainly welcome the support and membership of progressive Democratic men, too.
