SAS State Coordinators a Big Part of SAFER Weekend

The state coordinators of Second Amendment Sisters, Inc. met in Washington, DC the weekend of SAFER (May 8-9, 2004) to defend the Second Amendment and for a meeting of the minds. The state coordinators spent the weekend rallying for freedom, planning for the future of SAS and, Diane McKeough says, forming “a bond that will last a lifetime.”

In attendance for the weekend were Saundra Duffy-Hawkins (CA), Jen Zordan (CT), Joanna Ortega (GA), Lynne Roberts (MA), Liz Roush (NM), Angela Mona (NY), Debbie Dowers (OK), Nancy Errea (SD) and Gail First Kelly (TX). Joining the group on Sunday were Marilyn Lapidus (NJ), and Mary Ann Bowersock and Joyce Kenneson (VA).

The coordinators got an opportunity the day before the rally to introduce themselves and to meet the other coordinators and the rest of the SAS leadership, many of them for the first time. In a meeting the day before the rally, national met state as the national leadership had a brainstorming and planning session with the state level leadership.

The State Coordinators helped out with the weekend’s events such as a members’ reception Saturday evening that included a sign-making party and running the merchandise table at the rally. The Coordinators also had appearances on stage reading stories of defensive firearms uses and to introduce themselves to the crowd. Of this event, SAS Treasurer and Co-Founder Marinelle Thompson says, “Probably the finest moment of the rally for me was when you fine ladies strode across that stage, one by one, stopping only long enough to make a proud statement about your state. That was so inspiring to all of us.”

Each coordinator brings their own unique style and background to the table, a diversity that can only mean great things for SAS. These women came together out of a love for the Constitution, a passion for self-defense and the motivation to do something about it. Strong, committed leadership is vital to the success of any organization, and if the rally weekend meetings were any indication of the dedication of these ladies, SAS has a powerful future.  Look out, Million Moms – you haven’t seen anything yet!   

-- Joanna Ortega, GA State Coordinator

(L to R) - Mary Ann Bowersock (VA), Nancy Errea (SD), Gail First Kelly (TX) Lynne Roberts (MA) and
Saundra Duffy-Hawkins (CA) listen as SAS Operations Director Lee Ann Tarducci (in mirror) makes a point.