Committee of Seventy Celebrates 120th Anniversary with a Special Event: "America at a Crossroads"

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Contact: Genevieve Greene, [email protected], 617-785-6991

Philadelphia, PA – The Committee of Seventy recently marked its 120th anniversary with a special event titled “America at a Crossroads,” reflecting on the 2024 election and its critical place within the broader context of American democracy. The evening, two weeks after the presidential election, featured a thought-provoking discussion between CNN anchor Chris Wallace and 6abc’s Tamala Edwards. 

The reception and program, held Wednesday, November 20 at the National Constitution  Center, provided a unique opportunity for nearly 500 attendees from the corporate, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors to engage in a meaningful dialogue about the future of democracy, the election process, and the state of American politics.

Wallace shared insights from his new book, Countdown 1960: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the 312 Days that Changed America’s Politics Forever, which explores the pivotal 1960 presidential election and its enduring impact on American politics. In his discussion with Edwards, parallels between the political climate of 1960 and today emerged, highlighting the importance of understanding the history of elections to better navigate current challenges.

Seventy’s President and CEO Lauren Cristella opened the event by noting Seventy’s efforts around the 2024 general election and the success of the anniversary event. “We’ve accomplished something remarkable yet again—a record-breaking fundraiser that brought in more than $575k to sustain this important work,” said Cristella.

Cristella also addressed the importance of local government, noting that Seventy has been at the forefront of strengthening local democracy in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania for more than 100 years.

“While presidential elections often dominate headlines and are deeply consequential, it’s local government that shapes the communities where we live, work, and raise our families,” said Cristella. “From our schools and parks to public safety and transportation, the decisions made at the local level affect our daily lives in real and lasting ways. By staying engaged locally, we ensure that our voices are heard where change is most immediate and personal, while also building a foundation for broader civic participation.”

Cristella went on to reaffirm Seventy's mission and underscore key priorities for the coming year, including:

• Continuing efforts to advance the organization’s values through advocacy and engagement, from City Hall to Harrisburg;

• Expanding partnerships to connect more people with their government and promote active participation in local democracy;

• Reaching communities across Philadelphia, the region, and the Commonwealth with resources designed to engage young Pennsylvanians through the PA Civics Coalition;

• Enhancing and broadening Seventy’s How Philly Works series to help residents better navigate government and understand its impact on their lives;

• Informing and engaging voters consistently during every election cycle, emphasizing the importance of participation and helping them cast their ballots successfully; and

• Advocating for policy reforms to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure government is more representative, effective, and accountable.

Cristella concluded by calling on attendees to join Seventy’s ongoing work, “Together, we can create a government that truly represents the people it serves—not just by informing every eligible voter, but by inspiring active citizenship year-round and advancing policies that drive meaningful change.”

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About Committee of Seventy 
The Committee of Seventy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has promoted, supported and facilitated government ethics and election integrity for more than a century. Seventy advocates for more free, fair, safe and secure elections and works to ensure that every eligible voter votes, is informed when they vote, and votes with confidence. For more information, visit: https://seventy.org/.