Mr. Gratwick is dead-on when he says, “Change is best effected by many people speaking with one voice …”(BDN 9/22/08). I too am passionate about speaking out regarding injustices and the “larger issues” facing us. That is why three years ago I joined the ONE Campaign – The Campaign to Make Poverty History – and the CARE Action Network. Using my voice along with millions of others, CARE-ONE has been able to educate key policymakers about legislative issues that affect global poverty.

CARE wants to achieve long-lasting solutions by strengthening people’s capacity for self-help, providing economic opportunities, delivering emergency relief and addressing discrimination in all its forms. They share their experience on the ground in over 60 countries with decision makers, and we “the citizens” use our voices to support their work. Each year in June, CARE holds a national conference where advocates like me from all over the United States go to D.C. and meet with our representatives. We are well-informed, polite, articulate citizens and are passionate as to how these larger issues affect us in our hometowns.

On Oct. 17 I will be hosting a screening of the film “A Powerful Noise,” at the Ellsworth Public Library. The film documents the lives of three women who overcome barriers and spark remarkable changes in their lives and the lives of others.

Please join us and join ONE and CARE to add your voice to the millions. Log on to www.one.org or www.care.org.

Alison Johnson

2nd District chairwoman CARE

Birch Harbor