Westchester County, NY – October 3, 2024 – JennaBainbridge, a wheelchair user who is starring in the new Broadway musical Suffs, will be the keynote speaker at an event encouraging people with disabilities to learn their voting rights and to register to vote.
The event, REV UP!, (Register, Educate, Vote, Use your Power), will be held on October 16 from 11-2 p.m. at the Westchester County Center at 198 Central Park Avenue, White Plains NY. It is being sponsored by Westchester Disabled On the Move Inc. and the League of Women Voters of Westchester.
“We as people with disabilities have long been underrepresented in the media, but just because we don’t see ourselves, doesn’t mean our voices matter any less. So, we need to use those voices to be heard by VOTING this November, said Bainbridge, who is on Broadway in Shaina Taub’s epic new musical that tells the story of the suffragists as they fight for the women’s right to vote.
At 16 months, Jenna broke her spine and became partially paralyzed from the waist down. In 2024 she became the first wheelchair user to perform in a new musical on Broadway when she made her debut in Suffs, which won the 2024 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Music.
In addition to performing, Jenna is also the Co-founder of ConsultAbility, a consulting firm whose mission is to work with theatrical institutions and educational programs to create more accessible spaces and inclusive programming for disabled artists.
Maria Samuels, Executive Director of Westchester Disabled On the Move Inc., said systemic barriers prevent many people with disabilities from voting. She said it was fitting that Bainbridge a wheelchair user who is in a Broadway production on voting rights is the spokesperson for the event.
“It’s important for people with disabilities to have all the information they need about registering to vote and the voting process in 2024,” says Samuels. “We want them to feel empowered to vote, so that they can support political candidates who will best represent their interests. We thank Jenna for lending her voice to this cause.’’
Susan Schwarz, a director of the Executive Committee of the League of Women Voters of Westchester County, said, “The League of Women Voters actively supports the rights of all to participate in public life through education, activism and litigation and is especially pleased to support WDOM’s outreach during this election season.”
Those who attend the nonpartisan forum can expect to receive information about voting in 2024 and learn about the voting rights of people with disabilities. Volunteers from the League of Women Voters will also be on hand to register people to vote and help them sign up for absentee ballots.
About Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc.
Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc., established 1984, is a not-for-profit community-based organization. WDOM is part of a national network of Independent Living Centers dedicated to independence and equal rights for individuals with disabilities. Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc., is staffed and governed primarily by people with disabilities. The programs and services of WDOM are free to consumers with disabilities and their families. WDOM does not discriminate based on age, sex, disability, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion. Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc., receives funding from the New York State Education Department. Additional funding comes from private individuals, companies and foundations that support the independent living philosophy.
Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc., is a Registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
About the League of Women Voters of Westchester County
The League of Women Voters of Westchester is a nonpartisan political organization whose purpose is to promote informed and active participation in government. The League neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties. The LWV of Westchester is an Inter-League Organization (ILO) that monitors Westchester County governance and the Westchester County Board of Elections. We review issues and actions that impact the County as a whole. Our Board of Directors is comprised of an Executive Committee and the president of each of the nine local Leagues in the County.
Contact: Vicky Hochman, Thompson & Bender,
[email protected] 914-393-0702