ENDORSEMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS 

Alan Sandals, Philadelphia pension rights lawyer and candidate in Pennsylvania's 2006 Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate:  "You may not know it, but Joanne Tosti-Vasey has been working for you and your family in Harrisburg for almost 20 years. As a dedicated volunteer, she has been a strong and effective champion for the needs of children, families and all of us in the areas of health care, jobs and equal pay, education and civil rights. But when it's time to make the important decisions at the Capitol, career politicians shut the doors and block out her voice -- and block out our voices too. This has to change. It's time for us to make Joanne even more effective by electing her as State Representative for the 171^st District. That's why I am so proud to endorse her and why I urge you and all of your family and friends to vote for her."

Endorsement by Sean Meloy in The Daily Collegian Online (published independently by students at Penn State), October 30, 2008.   Read the column here.

Support from AFSCME Council 13, October 9, 2008.   Read the letter here.

Endorsement from Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties, 2008.   Read the APSCUF list here.

Support from International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local No 5, October 2008.   

Endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 Executive Board, October 8, 2008.   "Our endorsement recognizes your commitment to policies that benefit working families . . ."Read the letter here.

Endorsement from the Communications Workers of America, October 6, 2008.   "On behalf of the members of Local 13000 and District 13 of the Communications Workers of America, we wish you the best of luck in your campaign."Read the letter here.

Endorsement from the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund, October 3, 2008.   "It is a pleasure to inform you that the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund (PWCF) has voted to endorse your candidacy for the State House in the upcoming general election."Read the letter here.

Support from the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women, September 25, 2008.   "We are pleased to assist you in your campaign this year."Read the letter here.

Letter from EMILY's List, August 21, 2008,  "Enclosed is a check in the amount of $500 for your campaign . . . "  Read the letter here.

Letter from Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, July 24, 2008,  "The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Executive Council endorsed your candidacy for Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1008 General Election."  Read the letter here. Read the related press release (in pertinent part) here.

Letter from Eleanor Smeal, Feminist Majority Political Action Committee, July 16, 2008,  "The Feminist Majority PAC and I are pleased to announce our endorsement of your candidacy for the Pennsylvania State General Assembly's 171^st House District. Because the decisions of the Pennsylvania State General Assembly are so critical to women's rights and equality in Pennsylvania and you are extremely qualified for this position, we are endorsing you. . . . "  Read the full letter here.

Letter from the SEIU, June 25, 2008,  "It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you that the SEIU PA State Council, representing nearly 70,000 PA workers, has voted to endorse your candidacy in the General Election for State Representative.

"Your support and understanding of issues important to PA's working families have earned our respect and support. We look forward to working with your campaign to ensure a victory in the General Election on November 4th.

"Best wishes for your campaign.

"Eileen Connelly, ED
"SEIU PA State Council"  

Jack Wagner, Auditor General, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  On June 20, 2008, at a public event in Altoona, Mr. Wagner endorsed Joanne Tosti-Vasey.

Letter from Progressive Majority, June 5, 2008,  "Congratulations on your determination to run for State Representative of the 171^st Legislative District. Progressive Majority is pleased to announce that you have been endorsed by the Pennsylvania Advisory Council as well as our National Board."  Read the full letter here.

Letter from Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, April 22, 2008,  "In a year when Democratic registrations in Pennsylvania soared over the four-million mark, success at the ballot box still depended on having the right candidate for the right office. That's you!"  Read the letter here.

Women's Campaign Forum, April 11, 2008:   "Women’s Campaign Forum works tirelessly to improve women’s representation by empowering pro-choice women from all walks of life to become voters, activists, volunteers, and most importantly, candidates."  Read the full endorsement here.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees - AFL-CIO - Council 83 PAC, March 13, 2008:   "This letter is confirmation that you have received the endorsement of Council 83, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME, AFL-CIO), in the upcoming Primary Election on April 22, 2008."  Read the full endorsement here.

Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund, March 13, 2008:   "It is a pleasure to inform you that the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund (PWCF) has voted to endorse your candidacy for the State House …"  Read the full endorsement here.

Barbara Hafer, Pennsylvania State Treasurer (1997-2005) and Auditor General (1989-1997):  "I have known, observed, and worked with Joanne Tosti-Vasey for over fifteen years. She is an excellent and experienced organizer, advocate, and speaker. Her drive for equality and compassion for our families and for women, children, people with disabilities, and people of color has resulted in positive change for people throughout Pennsylvania.   She will make an excellent representative for the people of the 171^st House District in Centre and Mifflin counties. I therefore wholeheartedly endorse her campaign to represent the 171^st House District in the Pennsylvania General Assembly."  

Pennsylvania National Organization for Women - PA NOW PAC, March 4, 2008:   "The Pennsylvania NOW PAC is pleased to announce our endorsement of Democrat Joanne Tosti-Vasey, President of Pennsylvania NOW, for the Pennsylvania State General Assembly’s 171^st House District. Because the decisions of the Pennsylvania State Assembly are so critical to women's rights and equality in Pennsylvania and with so many of our rights at risk, the Pennsylvania NOW Political Action Committee voted to endorse Democratic candidate Joanne Tosti-Vasey for the Pennsylvania General Assembly."  Read the full endorsement here.

Peter Morris, State College Borough Council Member:  "Joanne Tosti-Vasey is running for Pennsylvania General Assembly, 171^st District. This is exciting news for residents of her district and for all Pennsylvanians. I have known Joanne for several years and have worked with her, especially in her pro-choice activities. I have always found her to be progressive, intelligent, articulate, and hard-working. She has a vital core of strongly-held beliefs but is very good at listening to others.

"She is probably best known for her pro-choice activism and is currently President of Pennsylvania NOW.

"I urge all Democrats in the 171^st District to support Joanne Tosti-Vasey in the April 22 primary and in the November election. I hope that people living outside her district will, as I have, contribute to her campaign. "

Chuck Pennacchio, Executive Director, Health Care for All Pennsylvania:  "Joanne Tosti-Vasey is a dynamo on the question of healthcare. She understands, crystal-clear, that the only proven means of achieving quality, comprehensive, affordable healthcare for all is through our publicly-funded, privately-provided, 'Family and Business Healthcare Security Act' (House Bill 1660). Joanne has the clarity of thought to know what works, and the courage of conviction to fight for what's right. I heartily endorse her candidacy for the State House of Representatives."

Candidate with supporter Barbara Thwaites, March 2008.

Candidate with Kim Hamilton in Webster's Bookstore Café, February 2008.

Candidate with Ed Perry, National Wildlife Federation, Global Warming Campaign, March 24, 2008.

PA NOW Presidents, Past and Current: Mses. Clavez, Sieger, Miller, Nancarrow, Smeal, Whitley, and Tosti-Vasey, October 13, 2007.

Candidates Nancy Schott (HD 109, Bloomsburg), Joanne Tosti-Vasey (HD 171, Centre County), Phyllis Bennett (HD 106, Dauphin county), and Judy Hirsch (SD 15, Dauphin County), May 6, 2008.

Joanne Tosti-Vasey and Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, June 6, 2008.

EC Press Conference.

In the Bellefonte Cruise, June 12, 2008.
Driver of this Miata is Linda Jacka-Frantz.
History behind the Bellefonte Cruise: Several years ago, Bellefonte passed an ordinance disallowing cars to circle blocks in town. On the last evening before the ordinance went into effect, many drivers decided to circle one last time, for fun and protest. They called it the "Last Cruise." They had so much fun that a group of volunteers has been sponsoring the "Last Cruise" annually ever since.
Now, over 10,000 people attend the cruise, show, and sock hop. Funds raised go toward community programs. This year, Bellefonte Cruise, Inc. will "provide student scholarship funds, giving students at Bellefonte High School the opportunity to extend their education and pursue careers that could contribute to our growing community."
Information at http://www.bellefontecruise.org.

Joanne Tosti-Vasey in the Miata at the Bellefonte Cruise, with son Kenneth in the VW behind.
June 12, 2008.