The 2016 Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, just one day after the party’s chair, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, announced her resignation. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is expected to officially accept the nomination on Thursday, July 28.
Us Weekly will be following the star-studded event all week. Below, see a list of the speakers who will address delegates on day one of the DNC.
The First Lady of the United States is set to headline Monday night’s event at the Wells Fargo Center. According to CNN, she is expected to discuss the role the president plays in shaping the lives of American children and why she feels Clinton, 68, is the best for the job.
The Vermont senator, who was Clinton’s main rival throughout the primaries, will address the convention amid the scandal surrounding the thousands of DNC emails released by WikiLeaks last week. The former presidential hopeful previously stated that he was “disappointed” by the content of the emails, which allegedly revealed that the Democratic National Committee favored Clinton.
Elizabeth Warren
The DNC announced early Monday morning that the Massachusetts senator will serve as the convention’s keynote speaker. She is slated to take the stage in front of 1,900 delegates on Monday, where the theme of the day will focus on putting American families “front and center,” according to the convention’s website. Warren endorsed Clinton for president in June.
Astrid Silva
The DREAMer activist, who is known for her talks about immigration reform, will deliver remarks about her fight to keep American families together. Silva is the cofounder of DREAM Big Vegas, an organization for undocumented children.
Additional Speakers
Anastasia Somoza, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia at birth and is an advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will speak on Monday. She previously worked as an intern for Clinton in her Senate office and also worked on the former first lady’s 2000 Senate campaign.
Karla Ortiz, an American citizen from Las Vegas, will discuss her fear of her family’s deportation. Both of her parents, including mom Francisca Ortiz, who will also speak, are undocumented.
Pam Livengood is her grandson’s legal guardian because his mom, her daughter, struggles with addiction. She is expected to discuss how her family has been affected by the substance abuse epidemic.
Representatives from the Labor Council, Veterans and Military Families Council, Small Business Owners Council, Disability Council, Ethnic Council, Hispanic Caucus, Black Caucus, Native American Council and AAPI Caucus are also expected to address the convention on Monday.