Voice of Westmoreland
Voice of Westmoreland (VOW) provides opportunities for all people to get involved in the political process by connecting, communicating, and creating independent political power, social equity, and a healthy community.
We envision a community where people of all races, ethnicities, and gender identities can live a dignified life with universal healthcare, living wages, racial justice, a sustainable climate, comprehensive education, and an accountable government that works for all, not just the powerful few.
In the past, we have:
- In 2022 VOW canvassed and organized tenants of Jeannette Manor to speak out about their hazardous living conditions and then went on to hold listening canvasses in public housing residences across the county to understand the issues residents face. Our People’s Equity Team then pushed the County Commissioners to use COVID American Rescue Plan funds to create safe and affordable housing, a public health department, a mental health facility, and substance abuse care.
- We also supported multiple strikes, including IUE-CWA Union brewery workers in Latrobe and SEIU Healthcare’s nursing home workers. In November, we supported the local Greensburg Hempfield Library and preserved its funding by stopping a local referendum that threatened local community investment in the library. By speaking to voters at the polls on election day, the referendum was struck down, demonstrating the power of our movement to defend public education when we come together!
- In 2023, VOW partnered with the Community Justice Project in Johnstown to support tenants in the Prospect Homes Housing Development to form a tenant association following a mass eviction. The prospect Homes People of 2023 organized rallies, built power, and won a right to return home. We are using the learnings from our win in Cambria County to develop a housing campaign here in Westmoreland County.
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- VOW also took on the fight to protect students’ right to diverse and inclusive books. Through knocking over 3,183 doors, we organized over 400 people to email the school board. While the School Board ultimately created a mechanism to ban books, our members are continuing the fight for inclusive books in our schools.
“Voice of Westmoreland is really important because we go out of our way to make sure people whose voices have been intentionally silenced are actually heard. We don’t treat people like tokens or just a vote, but as real individuals who can share their experiences and help identify and solve issues in our communities. I’ve never seen anything like this done before in Westmoreland.”
Current Campaigns:
Fighting Book Bans
VOW members are continuing to fight to protect students’ right to diverse and inclusive books. In April, we hosted a panel discussion focused on the effects of book bans and challenges across the region. The discussion featured expert testimony from Pennsylvania-based educators and resistance leaders quantifying the impact of book bans and challenges in schools and libraries.
Electoral Work
VOW focuses on electing candidates that reflect our values – putting people over corporate interests, putting families and workers first and delivering real material change for our communities.
Building off the success VOW had in Johnstown with The prospect Homes People of 2023 winning a right to return home, we are continuing to research what is achievable here in Westmoreland in advance of our housing campaign.