Hi Happy Soapers, I’m in Washington DC (after two long flights) with Donna Maria (Indie Beauty Network), Lela Barker (Bella Lucce), Leigh O’Donnell (The Handcrafted Soap Guild) and Kayla Fioravanti (Essential Wholesale). We’re here to advocate on behalf of indies everywhere. Our goal is to educate the staffers and representatives behind HR 5786 (The full version of the draft bill for you to read is here.) Our meetings start tomorrow and we’re hopeful, positive and forward moving.
When I got off the plane, I was so happy to have a quick ride to the hotel because it meant that I had time to do a run around the monuments. There’s something surreal about jogging around so much history. Also, muggy. Surreal and muggy. Needless to say, I was thankful to get back to air conditioning in my room.
Tonight, we all met to discuss strategy. And who did we come across? Comedian Tom Green. It was surreal. I hadn’t seen his online show before but he did quite a funny stand up act for us in the bar (just our coalition and him) on the link between cancer and drinking/smoking. I can see why he’s selling out shows all over America. He was quite charismatic.
We’re putting the final touches on our informational packets tonight to leave with staffers and congresspeople tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted on how the day goes – you can follow me on Twitter for more up-to-the-minute updates. Wondering how you can help? Keep informed at OpposeSCA.com, sign the petition here, write your rep urging them NOT to co-sponsor the bill, or vote your oppose the bill here. And, most importantly, don’t give up hope. There is a lot of mileage to cover before this even gets close to being a bill. I am hopeful that with education we can make a difference.
Thank you for fighting the good fight for us! If your travels ever take you to the NY area please let me know.
This is fantastic! I really wish I could be there fighting the good fight…government needs a huge education…I’m confident you will do just that!
You ROCK ladies! Thanks SO VERY much for your time and effort!
Oh, my goodness, I saw that photo and thought, “That looks like Tom Green.” And then I thought, “Nah …” 😀
Thank you, Anne-Marie, to you, Donna Maria, Lela, Leigh, Kayla, and everyone advocating on behalf of the indie businesses. We are all so lucky to have you all looking out for us. I’m trying to do what I can, too – I’ve written my Representative, signed the petition, blogged about the draft, and shared it on my FB Page. It’s so great that you’ve all banded together and gone to DC to actually talk to the legislators. Best of luck to you, and thank you!
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to do to this.
Big cheer and woohoo for all the you guys do! That Tom Green is one hysterical guy too. PS: Welcome to the east coast sticky. We can’t really help it 🙂 xxoo Keep us posted. – sunbasilgarden
Thank you for going the extra miles (DC) to help us small soapmakers. I have posted about opposing the Safe Cosmetics Act and have talked to people as much as I can and as often as I can. But you gals are wonderful and I soooo appreciate you all.