On Monday, Deputy Campaign Managers Julianna Smoot and Stephanie Cutter visited North Carolina for a busy day of women for Obama events and meetings.  In the evening, the pair spoke at a special event in downtown Raleigh in front of a packed house of women supporters from across the state.

In her remarks, Cutter said that the choice for North Carolina Women this November was clear:

President Obama was raised by a single mother and is the father of two girls. He has always been a staunch advocate for women. He’s protected policies that promote fairness, equal opportunity, and a level playing field. Romney has a different vision. When asked what he would do on issues President Obama has fought for – and that have benefitted millions of women – Romney said he would ‘Look at what the President has done and do the opposite.’ That’s why we need you now more than ever before.

Women’s issues are America’s issues. Whether it’s the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Affordable Care Act, or nominating two women to the Supreme Court, Cutter spoke passionately about the President’s record of standing up for North Carolina Women.

Smoot, a native North Carolinian, acknowledged that there was still a lot of work to be done in order to make sure President Obama wins a second term this November. By reaching out—woman-to-woman and engaging in conversations about the importance of President Obama’s achievements, Smoot said she believed that North Carolina women would lead President Obama to victory in November.

Cheryl B., a first-time voter from Raleigh, said that the event was her first of 2012.  A new citizen, she was energized by the speakers and eagerly signed up to volunteer.  Another attendee, Henrietta C. from Wake Forest, said that the event was uniquely empowering:

I found the discussion so inspiring. I’m ready to take the conversation outside the phone bank and get out to talk with women when I’m out in the community.  After this event, I feel like we can keep growing Women for Obama in North Carolina and make a real difference.

Stephanie Cutter and Julianna Smoot are right—we’ve made too much progress and have too much on the line to turn back the clock.

Stand with them by joining Women for Obama and sign up to volunteer with Cheryl and Henrietta!

@stefcutter and Julianna Smoot speaking live at a @OFA_NC Women for Obama event in #Raleigh! #NCWoman2012 twitter.com/christinafreun…

— Christina Freundlich (@christinafreund) May 14, 2012

Paulette Camp, Small business owner
Waynesville, NC




When Paulette got a call letting her know she had won the Backstage with Barack contest for the first campaign rally last week in Columbus, OH, she was understandably excited.

Paulette and her husband own a small convenience store and gas station in Waynesville, North Carolina — just outside of Asheville. The first time she saw President Obama was in 2004, in a televised broadcast of his book tour, “I was mesmerized.” That day, she came home and told her husband that Barack Obama would be the President one day, and even convinced her husband to read the book.

When the morning of the event came, Paulette and her husband Kelly said they “were like a couple of jumping beans,” filled with nervous energy about the once in a lifetime moment.

After the event, Paulette sent us her journal about the experience. Here’s what she had to say:

I was ecstatic to meet the President. I had followed him since 2004, campaigned for him in 2008, and now I was going to meet him at the first big campaign rally in 2012. It was an unbelievable feeling. Everyone at the rally was fired up, and so were we. Then the President and First Lady spoke. It was electrifying.

After the speech we went backstage. The best part was sharing the experience with my husband Kelly, the love of my life. He supports the President just as much as I do. We are kindred spirits. They opened up the door and we said: “There he is! There he is!” And the President said, “How cool is this?” We didn’t know what to do—we were frozen! He walked over to me and said, “We’re a family of huggers,” and gave me a hug. He asked where we’re from, and he said he and Michelle love Asheville. He said, “Hey! The convention is in North Carolina—maybe we can stop by Asheville on the way home?” and I said “You do that! You better look us up.”

The President and First Lady were the warmest people and we felt completely at ease with them. We discussed our business, the economy, and the housing market. We told them our American dream story—that we own our own small business and have for 33 years. They are both very special, I feel it in my heart. We have to do everything we can to make sure President Obama has another 4 years to help our country. Forward! Fired up and ready to go!! I'm in!!!

A few weeks ago, our Women’s Vote Director Sloane Whelan packed her car full of buttons, nametags, and clipboards and hit the road for a 10 city tour over five weeks.  During her travels Sloane talked to women from every corner of the Tar Heel state about the issues that matter most to them in 2012. With Sloane's help, we put together quotes and stories from some of the hundreds of women she met during her trip.

Want to join Women for Obama in Carolina? We have a big event in Raleigh this Monday, May 14. RSVP now, you're invited!

On the conference call for women in rural areas, Shirley from Macon County spoke about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act saying that if it had passed earlier,

during my working years, I'd have retired earlier, with a better retirement.  As it is, I was paid much less than men in my field (and) expected to do as much if not more!

In Durham, Faulkner F. was still energized from the last campaign:

More than 1500 people were at my house during the three days leading up to the election in 2008.  It was absolutely amazing to be part of something with so much energy and hope for the future.

In Charlotte mother-daughter team Heather and Deborah had their first campaign experience. They decided to attent the event because they wanted to join the conference call with First Lady Michelle Obama:

We didn't know anyone, but that didn't matter. After leaving we felt so inspired and connected with other women in our community. We're proud to support the President.

Supporter Lynne S. thought the Women For Obama listening tour was extremely inspirational:

After the event I went to a doctor's appointment and I even recruited my doctor and nurse to volunteer for the campaign.

More photos of Women for Obama from around the state:

Want to join Women for Obama in Carolina? We have a big event in Raleigh this Monday, May 14. RSVP now, you're invited!

I voted...now it's your turn, #NC! twitter.com/ang_EP/status/…

— Angie P. (@ang_EP) May 8, 2012