EMILY'S List Announces Support of Melissa Mark Viverito for New York City Council

Backing signals confidence in community activist

New York, NY – EMILY's List, the nation's largest grassroots political network and financial resource for women running for elective office, is proud to announce its support for Melissa Mark Viverito in her bid for New York City Council, District 8. Through the Political Opportunity Program, an initiative to mobilize, train, and financially support candidates running at the state and local levels, EMILY's List has extended its support to Melissa Mark Viverito.

"Melissa Mark Viverito is an excellent candidate who is well-positioned to become the next councilmember from District 8," said Karen M. White, national political director for EMILY's List. "As a long-time community activist and leader, she has been a dedicated fighter for the people of her district and will continue her important work as a city councilwoman."

Mark Viverito is a strategic organizer for 1199 SEIU, which is New York's healthcare union. But outside her professional life, Mark Viverito has been very active in her community. She is founder and president of Women of El Barrio, is on the board of the Boricua Initiative and chairs the Violence Intervention Program to end domestic violence in the lives of women and children. Mark Viverito has run a district-wide campaign focusing on housing issues.

"Melissa Mark Viverito's leadership in her district through community service and her work with SEIU demonstrates her commitment to making her district a better place to live and work," continued White. "On September 13th, we know the voters of City Council District 8 will show their confidence in Melissa Mark Viverito's leadership."

EMILY's List is the largest political action committee in the nation. EMILY's List has helped elect 61 pro-choice Democratic women to the U.S. House, 11 to the U.S. Senate, and eight governors. EMILY's List has also helped elect hundreds of pro-choice Democratic women to state legislatures, state constitutional offices, and key local offices. In 2001, EMILY's List expanded its support of pro-choice Democratic women candidates by establishing its Political Opportunity Program (POP). Through POP, EMILY's List is developing and nurturing the next generation of pro-choice Democratic women political leaders by investing in women candidates at the state and local levels.