About 150 Democratic Women’s Caucus members and their guests got a little more acquainted with Christina Hale last week. Christina has served two terms in the Indiana House, and ran on the Democratic Ticket as the candidate for Lt. Governor last year. Her message about the need for the state legislature to make stronger and bigger strides to address health concerns of Indiana citizens came through loud and clear. She also spoke of her commitment to helping create the statewide Women’s Leadership Series for Democratic women.
Christina’s international experience with Kiwanis International and her time spent overseas gave her a sensitivity to issues of health and access to resources for women and families. She introduced a legislative amendment designed to remove the taxable status of personal products for women – pads and tampons -- in addition to the taxable status for diapers and adult diapers. Noting that the same bill removed such taxable status for gold bullion and personal aircraft, she was sorry to tell us that her amendment did not pass, but the rest of the bill did. So, if you are in the market for gold and Cessnas, you're in luck. But if you’re a woman with a small child and limited access to laundry facilities, you’re out of luck. Many people ask if it makes a difference if your state legislator is a woman. In this case, it certainly does.
Our Friday breakfasts since the election have been so well attended (read "crowded") and we wanted as many members and friends as possible to hear Christina that we had her speak at both breakfast and lunch. It seemed to work well so stay tuned for future efforts at crowd control and convenient access to programs.
And--check out Sheila Kennedy's latest post. Doctors and psychologists are apparently reporting spikes in depression and other
psychosomatic responses among the general citizenry in response to the daily reports of dysfunction, corruption and regression in Washington. But there's also an amazing resurgence of civic engagement!
http://www.sheilakennedy.net/2017/04/encouraging-signs/
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Item
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Democratic Women's Caucus Murder Mystery
Saturday, April 29th, 6:00 - 9:00pm
Monroe County History Center Museum, 202 E 6th St, Bloomington
Small town America. It is April 29th 1970, fifty years after the 19th amendment ensured women the right to vote. As a new decade ushers in limitless possibilities, you have been invited to the Monroe County History Center Museum for the annual Elizabeth Cady Stanton Gala, celebrating the pioneering suffragettes and their fight for equality. It is an elegant affair, where Washington insiders sip champagne with stunning socialites, mop topped British rockers dance with sultry mavens of Soul, and intellectual elite debate with roguish revolutionaries. Hidden among the ancient tomes and historic artifacts, are cryptic secrets, and mysterious untold stories.
The problem is, one of you is a murderer!!!
General Admission Tickets include:
-Admission to the event
-A custom written character (you will receive a short character description ahead of time). There are roles for introverts and extroverts, don't worry!
-A generous donation to the Monroe County Democratic Women's Caucus: An organization dedicated to funding, inspiring, recruiting, and training local female progressive pro-choice candidates for public office.
-Appetizer buffet
-Two complimentary drinks
-Access to museum with guided tour
-A chance to win prizes
Get your ticket at this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/democratic-womens-caucus-murder-mystery-tickets-32441059081
You'll probably want to sponsor this event, so here are the details!
To sponsor, or for more information, please email Amanda Barge at [email protected]
All sponsorships are available with monthly payment options.
Shirley Chisholm Sponsorship
"If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair."
$500 includes 4 tickets, DWC items, official event sponsorship advertising and more
Gloria Steinem Sponsorship
"A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men."
$250 includes 2 tickets, DWC items, official event sponsorship advertising and more
Dolores Huerta Sponsor:
"Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world".
$100, includes 1 ticket, DWC items, official event sponsorship advertising and more.
Hoosiers for a Common Sense Health Plan
Wednesday, April 12, 5:30 p.m., St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Room 12
The next monthly meeting of Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan will be Wednesday, April 12 at 5:30PM, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church,100 N. State Rd. 46 Bypass, Bloomington. It’s up the hill from the Highway 45/46 Bypass. Things are changing so rapidly there will be no lack of things to discuss. So rapidly they can’t even predict their agenda!
Also, mark your calendars: Wed. April 19th at 7 p.m. at the Brown County Library, 205 Locust Lane, Nashville, for a free showing of Fix It: Healthcare at the Tipping Point. Dr. Rob Stone will be there to facilitate discussion afterward. Sponsored by Common Ground.
Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan
PO Box 2632
Bloomington, IN 47402
[email protected]
Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan
EVENTS
Symposium on "The Future of the U.S. Constitution"
Friday, April 14th, 9am - 5:15pm
IU Maurer School of Law, Moot Court Room, 211 S. Indiana Ave.
Leading constitutional experts will gather to discuss the great constitutional challenges of our time:
- Panel One (9:15 – 10:45): "The Nativist Turn: Immigrants, Communities of Color, and Courts in the Era of Trump" (Topics include: Muslim travel bans, deportations, “sanctuary” cities, hate crimes, policing, presidential power, education)
- Panel Two (11:00-12:30): "Fault Lines in Our Constitutional Structure" (Topics include: Confirmations & the courts, elections, political polarization, congressional dysfunction, conflicts of interest)
- Panel Three (1:45-3:30): "Economic Inequality and Plutocracy" (Topics include: Shrinking middle class, wealth concentration, working poor, money in politics, democracy in crisis
- Panel Four (3:45-5:15) "The Hot-Button Constitution: Examining the Issues That Divide Us in Both Law and Politics" (Topics include: Voting rights, reproductive justice, guns, poverty & wealth, political mobilization, social movements)
Details at ilj.law.indiana.edu or Facebook event page. Organized by Dawn Johnsen, cosponsored by the Maurer School of Law, the Indiana Law Journal, and the American Constitution Society.
Tax March - Indianapolis
Saturday, April 15, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
575 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN 46204-1510
Throughout the presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised that he would release his tax returns "later." Until we see his tax returns, we can't know for sure who's interests he's serving. Hosted by Hamilton County #Resist. For further information, click here.
The Monroe County Democrats Club
Tuesday, April 18, 11:30 a.m.
Bobby's Colorado Steakhouse
The MCDC will meet on Tuesday, April 18, at 11:30 a.m. at Bobby's Colorado Steakhouse. Our speaker will be John Zody, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. The public is invited to attend.
March for Science Indianapolis
Saturday, April 22, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Indiana State House
This is a nonpartisan march to highlight the mischaracterization of science as a partisan issue, which has given policymakers permission to reject overwhelming evidence and enact policies against the public interest. If you're a concerned Hoosiers—a scientist, engineer, programmer, entrepreneur, teacher, student, lawyer, doctor—anyone who is passionate about Science, click here.
People's Climate March Indianapolis
Saturday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park, 550 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis 46204
On the 100th day of the Trump administration We the People in Indiana and across the United States will take to the streets to advance solutions to the climate crisis that are rooted in racial, social, and economic justice and committed to protecting frontline communities and workers. For further information, click here.
Indiana State Democrats Hoosier Hospitality Dinner
Friday, May 5, Check in and Cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m., Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and U.S. Congressman & DNC Deputy Chair Keith Ellison
Information: http://www.indems.org/hoosier-hospitality-dinner/
ACTION ITEM:
Join the Indivisible Movement to Resist Trump's Agenda!
From indivisibleguide.com+
People like you are standing indivisible all over the country. Join a group in your community to take action and hold Congress accountable.
Information: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/?link_id=28&can_id&source=email-indivisible-leaders-2-weeks-of-recess-starts-now&email_referrer=indivisible-leaders-2-weeks-of-recess-starts-now&email_subject=indivisible-leaders-2-weeks-of-recess-starts-now
Finally:
Join the DWC in 2017. It's important to stay organized and energized! Renew your membership today.
The DWC is dedicated to inspiring, recruiting, training, supporting and funding women to increase the number of progressive, pro-choice women in the political arena. We ALL help with this mission, together, collectively. Make sure you have full rights and privileges of membership.
Only $20 for one year’s membership. Join online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership
______________________
Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected]
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.
Paid for by DWPAC - Democratic Women's Political Action Committee
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/