Category Archives: Emily Sussman

YDA Executive Director endorses marriage equality in DNC platform

Posted by rsnyder on February 22, 2012 Comments Off

Today, Young Democrats of America’s Executive Director Emily Tisch Sussman joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and more than 13,000 voters around the nation in endorsing language proposed by Freedom to Marry as part of its Democrats: Say I Do campaign calling on the national party to include a freedom to marry plank in the national Democratic party’s 2012 platform.

“As the Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, I represent young people, and the way we connect young people back to Democratic politics is by speaking out for what is right and taking action,” Sussman said. “Polling shows that 70 percent of voters 18-34 support the freedom to marry, and for many of our members, it’s a cause that goes to the core of why they consider themselves Democrats. It is time to realize that marriage is no longer an effective wedge issue; it is a cause that we as Democrats should be leading on.”

The proposed plank language is as follows:

The Democratic Party supports the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times. We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called “Defense of Marriage Act,” and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.

“As a constitutional lawyer with a background in LGBT family law and someone who worked on ending military discrimination under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, I am proud to have signed onto Freedom to Marry’s petition and urge my fellow Democrats to do the same,” Sussman continued. “It’s time for our Party to make it official, and say ‘I Do’.”

Public opinion data from 2011 shows that 69 percent of Democrats support the freedom to marry, as well as 59 percent of Independents (Gallup, May 5-8). A National Journal Political Insiders Poll conducted in July 2011 showed that 84 percent of Democratic party professionals believe their party should embrace marriage. Multiple states have already included planks in support of marriage in their state platforms.


YDA Announces New Executive Director, Prepares for 2012 Election

Posted by Nick DeCenzo on January 26, 2012 Comments Off

The Board of Directors of the Young Democrats of America today announced the appointment of Emily Tisch Sussman (@EmilyYDA) to the position of Executive Director, overseeing the organization’s more than 1,500 chapters and 150,000 members across the country.  Sussman will formally begin her duties on February 7.

“The 70 million young people of the Millennial Generation are becoming an important political force across the United States, but it’s up to us to make sure we have a strong and coordinated voice in this election. We will take steps in the coming months that position us to make sure the voices of young people are heard,” said Sussman.  “We will mobilize a multi-million dollar campaign targeted directly at our members and supporters in schools and community centers in all 50 states.”

Sussman’s first priority will be to assess the organization’s national 2012 campaign plan while also establishing bold fundraising goals to ensure the continued long term sustainability of the organization, which marks its 80th anniversary this year.

“YDA is thrilled to have Emily play such a major part in shaping the future of not only our organization, but the entire youth political movement.  There is no doubt that young voters will once again be critical to Democratic victories in 2012, and Emily’s leadership skills and political acumen will be central to our success,” said Rod Snyder, President of the Young Democrats of America.  “Few people understand the power of the Millennial Generation as well as Emily.  Her experience with galvanizing young people for the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and her work to establish Think Blue are a testament to her ability to develop a national strategy to engage youth.”

For nearly three years, Sussman worked on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” serving as co-government affairs director for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.  In August 2010, Sussman designed an online campaign urging young people to call their U.S. Senators and demand they vote for repeal.  The online campaign, kicked off by Lady Gaga, drove nearly 600,000 new visitors to the repeal website and successfully urged countless college students to create their own videos telling their friends to call the U.S. Senate switchboard.

A New York City native and graduate of Skidmore College and Cardozo Law School, Sussman founded and served as president of Think Blue while still in school.  The unique model allowed young New Yorkers the chance to have a voice in the political process by encouraging political candidates to meet and spend time with young people at affordable events.  In the 2008 election cycle, the New Leaders Council recognized Sussman as a “40 under 40 Emerging Leader in Politics.”  She was also recently honored by Cardozo Law School with the Nathaniel Gates award, and the Truman National Security Project recognized her for “extraordinary contributions toward advancing the Truman Democratic world view.”  Sussman is admitted to the New York State Bar.