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Speaking for the Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project (MHVEP) has been a rewarding experience. I started by enrolling in a public speaking class at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. I also have to thank the encouragement of the late Mr. Ray Bolling, director of Harlem Bay Network Clubhouse for his support.

At first, I wasn't sure if I could do well as a public speaker because I was unsure of myself and very shy. I went to Harlem Bay Network Clubhouse and I happened to mention in casual conversation to Miriam Wexler, the coordinator of MHVEP and Picnic for Parity, what courses I was taking. She offered me a wonderful opportunity to make my class work come alive! I was given the chance to give speeches to groups on the importance of voting.

It came at the right time—during the presidential election! Before long Ms. Wexler and I were giving presentations about how important it was to exercise the right to vote.

I urge everyone to get involved and to vote and to advocate in their best interest about the issues and concerns they hold dear.

I am writing this as the citizens of Iraq are putting their lives in harm's way to have a voice in shaping the future of their country by voting in Iraq's first election. We in the U.S. often take the right to vote for granted. Throughout American History many groups of people—African-Americans, women and eighteen-year-olds—fought for the right to vote.

The MHVEP was started by the late Ken Steele because consumers of mental health services were not voting. This is slowly changing as more and more disability groups are exercising the privilege to vote. So get out and rock the boat—VOTE!