By Bruce Thompson, North Carolina delegate

I am at an EMILY’S List event in downtown Denver this afternoon. Today is an appropriate day for this gathering as it marks the 88th Anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. It is especially important to me as it represents respect for some of my true heroes - my wife, my two daughters, my mother and my grandmother.

The lineup of speakers is amazing. Among others addressing us today will be Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Michelle Obama, and Senator Hillary Clinton. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to hear Michelle Obama for the second day in a row and then to hear Senator Clinton speak twice in one day. It takes me back to the North Carolina Primary where I traveled with Senator Clinton on several “whistle stop” tours through my home state.

There is a list of EMILY’S List Rising Stars being broadcast on two large video screens flanking the stage. I am pleased to report that two North Carolina candidates are in the slideshow - State Senator Kay Hagan who is challenging Elizabeth Dole for one of our U.S. Senate seats and Lt. Governor Bev Perdue who is running to become North Carolina’s first female Governor.

The program should begin soon. Check in later today on the blog for a full report on the speeches.