We were so excited to see thousands cheer, tweet and rally for President Obama last Saturday in Richmond.
It was simply electrifying.

If you missed the rally—or even if you were there and are still feeling fired up—it's not too late to jump in and show your support for President Obama. You can join us this Saturday as Marylanders come together for a Day of Action to talk to fellow supporters.

Let’s help our neighboring state, Virginia, feel our energy.

We have volunteers gathering across the state, in the following cities:
Annapolis
Baltimore
Towson
Columbia
Potomac
Burtonsville
Wheaton
Rockville
Friendship Heights
Olney
Kensington
College Park
Lexington Park
Waldorf
Frederick
Middletown

The future of this country is brighter every day and we’re hoping you'll join us. Support President Obama: make some phone calls into our neighboring battleground state, Virginia.

A door cracks open and the anticipation of a conversation begins. In less than four seconds, a front door becomes a gateway of information for a volunteer. For Obama campaign volunteers, canvassing neighbors and connecting with Maryland residents is a great opportunity to hear from the community.

From the moment we first spoke, I could tell that Annapolis Neighborhood Team Leader Joanna H was jubilant and fun-spirited.

Joanna’s passion for social justice started when she was a teenager. A Sunday school teacher taught Joanna to think of everyone as equals. She grew up in Georgia during a chapter in American history when people lived, played and shopped separately based on racial differences. But Joanna kept these words close to her heart: “treat everyone the same.”

In 1968, Joanna met Coretta Scott King, the wife of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To Joanna, “Mrs. King was a dear friend.” One of Joanna’s sons was in the same first-grade class with Dexter King, the youngest son of Coretta and Martin Luther King, Jr.

The two women had similar interests, human equality and their children. Joanna passed along her civil rights vigor to her children and grandchildren. Two of her seven grandchildren are voting age in this upcoming election.

She told me, “every vote counts, every person counts...it doesn’t matter how wealthy or how economically challenged the voter is.”

As I took notes during our conversation, reading my scribbled words was like a walk back in time. Joanna and Coretta were at voting age before the Voting Rights Act was passed—a time when many Americans could not register to vote.
Today, Joanna is ecstatic to see her grandchildren vote for the first time for Barack Obama.

Not only is voting a right, it’s a civic duty. Make sure you, your friends, and your family are registered—then sign up to volunteer with the Maryland team.

You never know what rich stories you’ll hear as a campaign volunteer. All it takes is one knock on a door. Join us next Saturday as we talk to voters in Virginia during our statewide day of action!

Helping out on Election Day is invigorating. Making calls, knocking on doors, and talking to voters on the day when it matters most is one of the best things about being a volunteer with the Obama campaign.

April 3rd was primary day in Maryland. It was hectic and long, but in the midst of everything, I met a phenomenal woman with one of those stories that reminds us all why we work so hard for this cause.

I met Maritana while escorting her and her disabled son to the polls. Within a few minutes I learned that she was 84 years old, lives in Essex, and lost her husband only a year after moving to the United States from Poland.

Having recently broken her hip, she moved slowly into the passenger seat. As soon as she was settled, she pulled out a very old red photo album from her purse to tell me her story.

After losing her husband suddenly, being alone in a new country with a young child, she decided to volunteer in her community and make a contribution to the country that took her in. Early on, she realized that civic engagement and community organizing was one of the most fulfilling things she could do. Being a part of something bigger than herself, and lending a helping hand to those who needed it the most is what got her through those trying first years.

At the polling site I waited just outside the room while she and her son Charles voted. I watched from a distance as she pulled the album out again to share with the election official.

I knew right then that we shared that day was what so many others in this campaign share: a story. We all have our own story about why we take part in the democratic process and are inclined to make a difference.

So much of what I do as a Regional Lead is listen to people and learn about how President Obama has touched their lives.

As I took Maritana and her son home, she thanked me over and over again for making sure that she was able to vote today. She was so grateful that her story was heard.
I wonder what my little album will look like in 45 years...

Be part of our incredible Maryland team—join us next week as we reach out to voters about health care.