• 4 r » , • •> • • • 1 -, •. • «v.s. >• • i • ■m Minyon Moore, at the Democratic National Committee # • • • * * * • ♦ ♦ 4 r » ’í ♦ • » « f e « « « 4 » F / ^ A ’O T T * ' « ’« ftUWT** wMVHNIHl 3 *« *- ♦ Minyon Moore, holds a briefing with members o f her staff. Shown are (center) Bill Kaneko, and (right) Jocelyn Woodard. M inyon Moore, as the first African- American women to serve as Political Director at the Democratic National Com m ittee(DNC), is a different type o f political activist. She shies away from the limelight and is more com ­ fortable working behind the scenes. W orking hard, putting in long hours, focusing on minute details, thinking always in strategic terms, pushing for­ ward to achieve through specific goals- -this is the m odus operandi of Moore. Her political philosophy is rooted in both her grassroots and pragmatic per­ spectives, which she achieved through her background as a civil rights and political field organizer. About her professional past, Moore takes particular pride in working with all kinds o f people. “This has been a great asset to me,” she said. In her capacity as Political Director at the DNC, Moore oversees the political operation that focusses singularly on winning elections. This includes man­ aging D N C 's coordinated campaign effort, advancing Democratic Party policies and politics through increas­ ing voter participation, constituency outreach, training, advocacy, promot­ ing President C lin to n ’s legislative priorities, and supporting Democratic candidates running for local, state, and national office. Add to this awesome resp o n sib ility , M o o re’s “norm al, day to day” public liaison and out­ reach activities to dem ocratic elected officials, party activists and the con­ stituents they represent. Every day presents a new set of challenges for the soft spoken political v e te ra n , w h o can a lso be “ to u g h ” . S h e a g re e s th a t p r o ­ fessional politics is not a field for the insecure and timid. “ I n ev e r p la n n ed a c a re e r in politics, “said the D NA strategist. “ T h ere are n eg a tiv e p ercep tio n s about politics, but I think you can be involved and maintain your character, integrity, and honesty and help raise the moral tones o f politics, without being com prom ised. You don’t have to tear into each other and try to build y o u r s e lf up by te a rin g o th e rs d o w n ,” Prior to joining the DNC, Moore served as Project Director for the N a­ tional Rainbow Coalition, where she coordinated organizational outreach and com munication between elected and appointed governments officials, senior corporate executives, labor of­ ficials, and religious and community representatives. In her previous National Rainbow Coalition post as Deputy Field D irec­ tor and National Convention Coordi­ n a to r fo r R e v e re n d Je s s e L. Jackson’s presidential bid. she trav­ eled to more than 20 states, managed the field staff, setup travel budgets and field activities, served as liaison be­ tween state campaigns and the na­ tional office in arranging Jackson's schedule, was responsible for the candidate’s 1,200 delegates, assisted the floor manager in managing the whip operation, and was the liaison between Jackson and his ‘88 convention manager, the late Ron Brown. In between those assignments she served a four-month stint as the N a­ tional Deputy Field Director for the Dukakis/Bentsen Presidential C am ­ paign, where she assisted in schedul­ ing the candidates and field activities and merged the Jackson ‘88 cam ­ paign netw ork into the D ukakis/ Bentsen general election campaign. Her initial service as Executive assis­ tant to Jackson, assisting him with staff operations and developing a weekly community forum for national radio broadcast, paved the way for her ex ­ panded activities in the national politi­ cal arena. Moore gives high marks to Presi­ dent Clinton, especially those issuesof importance to African-Americans: "I think the President has done an outstanding job in trying to do the right thing in serving a very diverse American population, especially those in greatest need, and not to the sacri­ fice o f any o th e rs.” The political pragmatist also stresses that African-Americans have a lot at stake in the upcoming local, state, con­ gressional and presidential elections. “ The African-American vote is ex­ tremely important, especially in cer­ tain key electoral states in the presi­ dential and in specific senatorial con­ gressional races where the control of the U.S. Congress will be determined. O ur challenge is getting our message to African-American voters about the accom plishments o f the Clinton A d­ ministration and Democratic Party on b eh alf o f A frican -A m erican s.” She readily admits that one main goal of the DNC is to reach young African-Americans—to reach them in their own environments. Moore points out that providing adequate resources to the African-Americans are involved at all levels, and making fund available for advertisements in minority media are important elements o f realizing that goal. And that, she maintains, means educating both African-Ameri­ can leadership and the African-Ameri­ can electorate. "Wemustre-energize African-Ameri­ can leadership across the board about the urgency and importance of voting so that there i s a massi ve leadershi pcampaign, as was the case in the 1960’s to mobilize African-American voters as a necessary means of gaining economic and political empowerment. Today voting is no longer a privilege but a citizenship obligation.” Like other political activists, Moore realizes that upcom ing 1996 election will be a major turning point in the future o f this nation, especially for A frican-A m ericans. “N o one can em power us but us. Our future is in our own hands, and no one should take us for granted. W hether A frican-Ameri­ cans go to the polls and vote will have a dramatic impact on future genera­ tio n s o f A fr ic a n - A m e r ic a n s ,” Moore said. New Perfume company helps busy shoppers save time A smart new perfume com pany has jum ped on the time-management band­ wagon to help busy women and men eliminate one tim e-consum ing chore from their schedules - shopping for perfume and cologne. “Tim e is more precious today then ever before,” says Pessy Frenkel, Presi­ dent o f PerfuM A X , a perfume catalog com pany based in Brooklyn, New York. “And one o f the best ways to cut down on wasted time is to look for shortcuts for routine tasks, no matter how small.” Frenkel says the idea for PerfuM AX cam e to her while she was standing at a department store counter, waiting to buy perfume. “I thought, I get the same perfume every time, but I still have to drive to the store, park, wait around to be served, then fight traffic to get home. W hy should anyone waste time to buy a bottle o f perfume? Like other simple necessities, your perfume or cologne should just be there when you need it.” It its first printing, the PerfuM A X catalog offers authentic name brand scents for both women and men. Ac­ cording to Frenkel, these are not ge­ neric perfumes, but the same brands offered in the best department stores - - Opium, Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren and others. “Most people have a favorite scent that they use over and over,” said Frenkel. “W hy invest time to keep buying the sam e thing? W e’ve made it fast and sim ple.” In a d d itio n to sa v in g tim e, PerfuM AX helps its customers save money. Because o f its low overhead. PerfuMAX can usually offer the same scents found in department stores for 10% to 30% less cost. PerfuM AX is targeted to the busy women or men of the 9 0 ’s. Customers choose their favorite scent from the catalog, then call in their order. They may also fill out an order form and fax it 24 hours a day from home or office. PerfuM AX delivers most orders in three to five days. PerfuM AX also helps save more time by offering a gift service, where they wrap and deliver a perfume or cologne, complete with apersonalized greeting card. And PerfuM AX rewards its customers for referrals, giving free gifts to cu sto m ers w ho get their com pany’s prem ium departm ent to order quantities o f 20 or more scents at one time as business gifts. Frenkel says PerfuM AX will mail a free catalog to anyone who calls the com panysspecial toll-free line: 1-800- 789-PerfuMAX! 1-800-7373). Justask for exten. 25 to get the free catalog. Those interested may also fax their request to 1-888-755-7373. Please in­ clude name, phone number and mail­ ing address. C ontracting O pportunités Now A vailable on the W eb Supporting Growing Businesses The Portland Development Commission has historically supported minority and women-owned business as well as emerging small business. We know that healthy and growing small businesses are the backbone of a healthy local economy. PDC has a new home page on the World Wide Web and a section specifically devoted to contracting opportunities. We invite you to look us up on the Web at our new address: www:port la nddev.com If you have a business that may qualify and would like information on PDC projects or certification, you can also contact Chris Steinbrecher at 823-3238 or Spence Benfield at 823-3209. on Tinsley’s business, Custom Craftworks, used to he a small massage table manufac­ turer in Eugene. Today he has national accounts and 32 full-time employees. R Ron made the transition with help from the Small Business Management Program at Lane Community College's Business Development Center, funded with Lottery dollars. There he learned management ami budgeting skills. Ron struggled, hut he never lost hope. He said, “These programs help you grow your business in an environment that is safe and provides connec­ tions with other like-minded business owners." PDC is committed to working with small businesses because we know what's good tor small business is good for Portland. OREGON LOTTERY It Dues Good Things pix : poktlaxi ) DIA ELDIAIEM COM.MISSK ) \