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

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris 
Danielsen 


Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, ext. 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>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 
<http://www.marchforindependence.org/>www.marchforindependence.org. 
To learn more about the National Federation of the Blind, please 
visit <http://www.nfb.org/>www.nfb.org.





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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.