Waters, Evans, and Garrett receive "Teddi Winograd Awards"
By Dorothy Reik, Progressive Democrats of Santa Monica Mountains
August 22, 2008, Topanga Canyon, CA
Lila Garrett accepting Teddi Winograd Lifetime Achievement Award
At the third annual PDA Birthday Party and Fundraiser in Topanga Canyon, three extraordinary Democratic women activists made their way to Saddle Peak Road at the top of Topanga Canyon to receive two Teddi Winograd Courage awards and one Lifetime Achievement award from the Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains. Progressive Democrats work inside and outside the Democratic party to achieve their goals of peace and justice. The awards are named after Teddi Winograd, the mother of Marcy Winograd, founder of the Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles. Teddi worked all her life in the pursuit of peace until she died peacefully last year at the age of 83.
Then, before an enthusiastic audience of nearly 150 progressive activists from Topanga and elsewhere, Los Angeles Jodie Evans, founder of CODEPINK, an organization of easily recognized women and men who dress in hot pink and work tirelessly for peace and justice by demonstrating and lobbying in Washington, D.C., around the country, and around the world, was awarded the "outside" the party award by Marcy Winograd. In an inspiring acceptance speech, Jodie urged everyone not to be discouraged but to continue to work for peace and encourage others to join the struggle. In her last public action, Jodie confronted Nancy Pelosi at her L.A. book signing and encouraged her to reread the Constitution as well as Vincent Bugliosi's book, "The Prosecution of George Bush for Murder, " and Ron Susskind's new book, "The Way of the World". For speaking out, she was forced to leave the auditorium.
Following Jodie, Lila Garrett, former president of Americans for Democratic Action, Emmy-award winning writer and member of the PDAmerica advisory board, and host of KPFK's "Connect the Dots" radio show, was awarded PDSMM's Lifetime Achievement Award to loud cheers from her many loving fans. Lila forcefully urged the group to fight against the "permanent war economy" and reminded those present that war is "one stranger killing another stranger for the benefit of a third stranger." She was presented the award by her granddaughter, Arielle, whose loving introduction touched on the personal side of Lila's lifetime of good work.
Following brief remarks by Progressive Democrats of America Chair Mimi Kennedy, Kevin Pina, Haitian atrocities film documentarian; Cynthia Loo, candidate for judge; and Marta Jorgensen, PDSMM, PDLA and PD-Ventura County endorsed candidate for Congress in the 24th Congressional District, vowed to fight for the principles of the Progressive Democrats.
Then, just when it seemed that she was hopelessly lost, Maxine Waters arrived to a standing ovation. After a welcome from Dorothy Reik, who called her "every progressives' Congresswoman," she was presented with the "inside the party" award by Ricco Ross, co-chair of Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles. He cited the long path Maxine took to get where she is today. Waters echoed the sentiments of Jodie and Lila in encouraging those attending not to lose heart but to continue to work for peace and justice and to keep pressuring their own representatives. She encouraged us to elect Obama and then to "hold his feet to the fire." Then she answered questions on impeachment, the prison-industrial complex and election fraud.
In an exciting end to the evening, Waters announced her personal endorsement of Marta Jorgensen and vowed to help her get elected to Congress.
In addition to beautiful awards, which were engraved with mountains and peace signs symbolizing the Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains, each honoree was presented with her own message board with messages written by all the attendees.
Singer/songwriter Tom English began the festivities with songs urging peace and love. The guests feasted at a taco bar provided by Abuelita's Restaurant and enjoyed two huge birthday cakes for dessert. After the ceremonies the audience danced under a full moon to the music of Jim Crawford and Friends.
Read Jodie Evans' acceptance speech,
here.
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