The sound of the “go-go swing” offered more than entertainment at H.D. Woodson High School on Saturday. The District’s official music provided the soundtrack behind a message of democracy and civic responsibility at the Northeast D.C. school’s homecoming, embracing the theme “GO-GO VOTE: My Voice Matter, Your Voice Matters.”
A celebration in partnership with the Go-Go Museum, local leaders and representatives from the National Women’s Foundation teamed up to promote civic education and empower youth by helping them understand the value of their voices in shaping their communities and overall future.
“Our young people want to be heard,” said Summaya Lane, a community advocate who participated in speaking with students during the event. “The message to them is: Use the voting rights that our ancestors have fought and died for.”
The Go-Go Museum’s brought out TOB Band on its bus, which goes throughout the city for live activations, bridging the District’s unique sound across all eight wards. This time, the bus and band were at H.D. Woodson to emphasize the importance of voting, even before students are able to cast ballots.
For Pamela Johnson, National Women’s Foundation board president, connecting with young people at events like H.D. Woodson also means reaching relatives and friends.
“We all have people in our lives that may not have registered to vote. Johnson said. “We have approximately 4 million young people who are turning 18 every year, and it’s our responsibility to communicate about the importance of voter participation and that their voice matters.”
