[Nfbv-announce] Martha Reeves to Participate in the National Federation of the Blind Motor City March for Independence

[Fredric Schroeder]

 ---- Original Message ------
From: "Freeh, Jessica" <JFreeh at nfb.org
Subject: Martha Reeves to Participate in the National Federation 
of the Blind Motor City March for Independence
Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 09:48:03 -0400


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




CONTACT:


Chris Danielsen


Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind


(410) 659-9314, ext.  2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org




Martha Reeves to Participate in the
 National Federation of the Blind
Motor City March for Independence




Reeves to Serve as Honorary Co-chair of Event



Baltimore, Maryland (May 5, 2009): The National Federation of the 
Blind
(NFB) announced today that Martha Reeves, former lead singer of 
the
Motown group Martha and the Vandellas, will take the stage 
serving as a
co-chair for the organization's fundraising walk-a-thon event.  
The third
annual Motor City March for Independence will take place on the 
morning
of July 6, 2009, as part of the National Federation of the Blind
convention, which will be held in Detroit this year.  Over a 
thousand
blind people from across the nation will march to raise money to 
benefit
blind people all over the United States and to raise awareness 
about the
capabilities of the blind.



Dr.  Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the 
Blind,
said: "We are truly delighted to have Ms.  Reeves participate in 
this
year's March for Independence.  As an individual whose talent has
significantly contributed to Detroit's musical landscape and a
well-known leader in her community, she will be a valuable 
contributor
to this very important event."



Ms.  Reeves said: "By developing innovative approaches in 
education,
technology, and services, the National Federation of the Blind is 
making
huge strides to help the world's blind achieve independence.  I 
am
thrilled to support the NFB third annual March for Independence.  
I am
equally pleased that the NFB has chosen to support Detroit by 
selecting
it as the location for the occasion."



During Ms.  Reeves's tenure with The Vandellas, the group had 
over a
dozen hit singles including "Dancing in the Street,"  "Nowhere to 
Run,"
and "Jimmy Mack." Since 2005, Reeves has served as an elected
councilwoman for the city of Detroit, Michigan.



Martha Reeves joins Councilwoman Joanne Watson and other local 
Detroit
luminaries who have agreed to co-chair the event.



For more information about the March for Independence, including 
how to
participate and how to sponsor a marcher, visit
www.marchforindependence.org 
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/> .
To learn more about the National Federation of the Blind, please 
visit
www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org/> .





###








About the National Federation of the Blind



With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the 
Blind is
the largest and most influential membership organization of blind 
people
in the United States.  The NFB improves the lives of blind people
through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading 
force
in the blindness field today and the Voice of the Nation's Blind.  
In
January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind
Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the 
United
States for the blind led by the blind.