RUMFORD — The Oxford County Democrats have announced that House Democratic Leader Emily Cain of Orono will be the speaker at the volunteer recognition dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Eagles Hall, Oxford Avenue. Snow date is Thursday, Jan. 27.

The county Democrats will launch a new Oxford County Democrats series at the event, focusing on “Rising Stars” in the Democratic Party. They have selected Cain to kick off the series.

Cain was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 2004 at age 24 and was elected as the Democratic House Caucus leader for the upcoming 125th Legislature.

She is the youngest female legislator to lead the minority party in the Maine House. Cain served as the House chairwoman of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs during the 124th Legislature.

She holds a BME in vocal music education from the University of Maine with highest honors from the Honors College in 2002, and an Ed. M. in higher education from Harvard University in 2004.

Cain is working part-time toward a Ph. D. in higher education with a concentration in public policy from UMaine. When not in the Legislature, she works part-time as coordinator of advancement in the Honors College at UMaine and is frequently seen performing in community music events or singing the national anthem at UMaine hockey and basketball games. She resides in Orono with her husband, the Hon. Daniel B. Williams.

Volunteers in the 2010 campaign will be the guests of the Democrats at the dinner, and others who would like to attend will be charged $7 a person. To RSVP, contact John Patrick, 364-7666, or Cathy Newell, 875-2116 or [email protected].

Following the dinner and remarks by Democratic office-holders, elections will be held for Oxford County Democratic Committee officers for 2011-2012. Officers to be elected include chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer. Volunteers will be sought for the Program and Finance Committees.

For more information about the event, visit Oxford County Democrats on Facebook or www.oxforddems.org or contact County Chairwoman Cathy Newell at 875-2116.