Americans from Across the Country to Speak at the Democratic National Convention DemConvention Follow Jul 18, 2016 · 5 min read

Delegates during the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Photo Credit: DNCC

Today, Hillary for America and the Democratic National Convention Committee announced a diverse range of everyday Americans who will share their stories and experiences at the convention of an America that is stronger together. Additional speakers, including national leaders, advocates and celebrities will be announced in the coming days.



As Donald Trump begins his divisive convention in Cleveland with dangerous ideas that would pose a threat to our economy and national security, Democrats are preparing to lay out the clear stakes in this election in Philadelphia — a choice between building walls and tearing people down or an optimistic unifying vision where everyone has a role to play in building our future.



At the Democratic National Convention, the diverse experiences and voices of Americans from across the country will be shared with millions of Americans: A grandmother from New Hampshire raising her grandson because his parents are suffering from drug addiction. A director of a non-profit community group in Pennsylvania that educates youth to prevent gun violence. A gold star widow from Texas. A mother from Ohio who works two jobs to pay off student loans and raise their kids.



Hillary Clinton has spent her entire career working with both parties to make a difference for children, families, and our country. As president, she’ll build a future that draws us together and allows all Americans to share in the rewards of our prosperity and security.



See below for a list of Americans speaking at the Democratic National Convention:



Monday — United Together: Putting Families First



Pam Livengood — Keene, NH — Pam and her family have been personally affected by the growing substance abuse epidemic and are guardians for their grandson because of their daughter’s struggle with addiction. Pam raised the issue with Hillary while participating at a roundtable during the first trip to New Hampshire.



Karla & Francisca Ortiz — Las Vegas, NV — Karla is an American citizen but her parents, including her mother, Francisca, are undocumented and live in fear of deportation. Karla met Hillary Clinton in Nevada and was featured in the campaign ad, Brave.



Anastasia Somoza — New York, NY — Anastasia, along with her twin sister, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia when she was born and is an advocate for Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Anastasia interned for Hillary Clinton in her U.S. Senate office and on the 2000 campaign for senate. Anastasia first met President Bill Clinton in 1993 at a town hall meeting for kids.



Tuesday — A Lifetime of Fighting for Children and Families



Jelani Freeman — Washington, DC — Jelani grew up in foster care and is a former intern in Hillary Clinton’s Senate office. Since receiving his law degree, he has worked to bring opportunity to kids at risk.



Thaddeus Desmond — Philadelphia, PA — Similar to Hillary’s work at the Children’s Defense Fund, Thaddeus is a child advocate social worker in Philadelphia.



Dynah Haubert — Philadelphia, PA — Dynah is a lawyer who works for a disability rights organization and teaches those with disabilities to advocate for themselves.



Kate Burdick — Philadelphia, PA — Kate is a staff attorney at the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia.



Anton Moore — Philadelphia, PA — Anton founded and runs a nonprofit community group that strives to bring awareness and educate youth on gun violence.



Dustin Parsons — Little Rock, AR — Dustin is currently a fifth grade teacher at an elementary school in Arkansas.



Students from Eagle Academy — New York, NY — As a senator, Hillary Clinton supported the creation of the Eagle Academy to educate at-risk youth in New York City. Eagle Academy was featured in the ad Came Through during the New York primary.



Joe Sweeney — New York, NY — Joe was a detective with the NYPD on September 11, 2001. When the towers were hit, he rushed down to the World Trade Center and began digging through the rubble for survivors.



Lauren Manning — New York, NY — Lauren was one of the most severely injured survivors of 9/11. She spent more than 6 months in the hospital recovering from 82.5% total body burns. As senator, Hillary helped Lauren navigate red tape to get the care she needed.



Ryan Moore — South Sioux City, NE — Ryan has spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia dwarfism and has known Hillary Clinton since 1994 when his family came to Washington, DC for an event to advocate for health care reform. Brian Moore, Ryan’s father, lost his job when his employer was unwilling to cover treatment for Ryan’s health condition. Ryan has stayed in contact with Hillary ever since.



Wednesday — Working Together: A Clear Choice



Erica Smegielski — Prospect, CT — Erica’s mother Dawn was the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary and was killed while trying to protect her students. Since then, Erica has become an outspoken advocate for commonsense gun violence prevention measures. Erica was featured in the ad, My Mom.



Felicia Sanders & Polly Sheppard — Charleston, SC — Felicia and Polly are two of the three survivors of the Mother Emanuel Church shooting in Charleston, SC.



Jamie Dorff — Leander, TX — Jamie’s husband was Patrick Dorff, an Army helicopter pilot from Minnesota who died while on a search and rescue mission in northern Iraq. As a senator, Hillary worked with Republicans and Democrats to increase the gratuity paid to family members of fallen veterans from $12,000 to $100,000.



Thursday — Stronger Together



Henrietta Ivey — Detroit, MI — Henrietta is a home care worker Hillary met while campaigning in Michigan who is helping to lead the Fight for $15.



Beth Mathias — Marion, OH — Beth works two jobs and her husband works the nightshift at a factory in Ohio. Hillary met Beth at a roundtable in Marion.



Jensen Walcott & Jake Reed — Bonner Springs, KS — Jensen was fired from her job at a pizza restaurant for asking her boss why she was paid 25 cents less than her male co-worker and friend, Jake. After Jensen and Jake’s story came to light, Hillary tweeted “Good for you, Jensen. Every woman deserves equal pay, no matter what her age. Keep up the hard work — and courage!”



Khizr Khan — Charlottesville, VA — Khizr Khan’s son, Humayun S. M. Khan was a University of Virginia graduate and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Khan was one of 14 American Muslims who died serving the United States in the ten years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Clinton spoke extensively about Kahn during a speech in Minneapolis.

The Democratic National Convention will be held July 25th — 28th in Philadelphia, PA. Questions? Feel free to tweet us at @DemConvention