This week, we launched the second round of Southern Solidarity Summer with the Right to the City Alliance. We moved our operation from Centreville down to Norfolk, VA.
We’re lucky to have worked with some amazing voter organizers in Northern Virginia and down here in Norfolk, and Dabphne Hughes is no exception. Dabphne is visiting from Causa Justa/Just Cause from the San Francisco Bay Area. 
You can watch a video here about Dabphne’s work as an activist in the campaign to win justice for home-healthcare workers and quality care for all.
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Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Oakland, CA. I was born there, and I still live there too! I am a native Californian
Why are you excited to be a part of this?
Since I’ve been here, I’ve discovered a passion and fire for organizing I didn’t realize I had. I really want to see what it takes to build movements, and what organizing is really about. While I don’t want the fame of being a history maker, I do want to make history in Virginia, back home in Cali, and anywhere I work. The training that I’m getting here, I can take home and make a difference.
Who is your organizer hero, and why?
Rishi Awatramani, because I came here closed minded about so many things, and he has been patient enough to talk through some tough things with me. And Dawn Phillips, because he keeps it real.
What have you been surprised to learn already?
I’ve seen the most fantastic side of people when they are working towards the things they care about. When our organizing team comes together, there is such wonderful energy. We have such a wide spread of ages in the room, and people are so committed. This is a phenomenal group of people. I was surprised to find out that we would all act as one.
What makes you nervous or scared about this experience?
I want to excel here, and I’m scared that I won’t be able to carry my load, or that I won’t know enough about the issues when I’m on the doors.
Why do you think voter organizing is an important way to build power?
If you close one eye long enough, politicians will ignore us and do whatever they want. Voter organizing is about holding people accountable. If they do us wrong, we have to vote them out of office. When enough people vote on the right issues, it shows candidates and parties what people really want.
How do you think this will have an impact in your community or on your life?
After I leave here, I won’t be as afraid to take on big tasks, to summon the courage to achieve the impossible.
What is one thing your fellow voter organizers will be surprised to learn about?
I can barely hear people, so I’m an excellent lip reader! Also, I used to weigh 363 pounds, and I lost over half my body weight in a year.
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