Reposting a message from Isaac Sarver, President of the Virginia Young Democrats, from earlier this summer:
On June 8th, 1932, Young Democratsand leaders of the Democratic Party from across Virginia were summoned to Richmond by then Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney John Galleher. The group of activists descended on the John Marshall Hotel for the purposes of a convention. Their mission would be to forge a new organization, one that would bring together younger Democrats from cities and counties across the state and serve to “stimulate younger voters to party consciousness.” This group would become the Young Democratic Clubs of Virginia, and would later be known as the Virginia Young Democrats. Today, we celebrate VAYD’s 80th anniversary and honor the legacy of countless young leaders who came before us.
Eighty years after our founding, VAYD has withstood the test of time and risen to meet every challenge along the way. The Virginia Young Democrats remain the strongest, youth-led, partisan group in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and are regularly acclaimed as one of the leading state-level organizations for Young Democrats in the country. We remain strong advocates on policy matters which impact our generation’s future. Our voice is heard and listened to by elected officials in Washington, DC and Richmond. We are respected and supported by Democratic leaders across the state as an essential part of our political party. We have chapters in every corner of the state, and continue to add new clubs to our ranks each year.
Most important though, is the fact that over eight decades the Virginia Young Democrats have produced countless young leaders who went on to devote their lives to the good of their party, communities, states, and nation. Young Democrats from our local chapters have gone on to to achieve much success in their personal and professional lives, and are the greatest legacy of the Virginia Young Democrats. That is why today, I am proud to announce that we are launching a new effort to reconnect with VAYD alumni around the country: by starting a new Facebook group to reconnect Virginia Young Democrats, and establishing a database of alumni from our organization so that we can bring together members from years past.
Please, join with me and countless other Young Democrats as we celebrate VAYD’s 80th birthday. Share the story of how you became involved, and what this organization has meant to you, and reconnect with your friends from years past today.