Unfortunately, yet another appalling Trump nominee was confirmed by the Senate last week--Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. The US will now have a chief law enforcement officer and legal adviser to the President who is racist and unlikely to enforce civil rights, does not believe in the dangers of global climate change, and has opposed almost every immigration bill proposed in the last twenty years that provided any path to citizenship. But the exciting news that came out of his confirmation hearings involved Elizabeth Warren, who once again showed her feistiness and demonstrated we can count on her to keep trying to shift Congress to the side of sanity. It was unbelievable that Mitch McConnell shut her up when she tried to read a 1986 letter by Coretta Scott King that talked about Mr. Sessions' flaws. Seriously? Was she inciting to violence or committing murder by elocution? Hardly. She was trying to save our Republic. See for yourself. Read the letter here: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/08/us/politics/elizabeth-warren-coretta-scott-king-jeff-sessions.html?_r=0
After being silenced, Senator Warren left and read the letter outside the Senate chambers anyway. So there! Here's to courageous women role models who make us confident we can reach for the stars. We cannot be silenced.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Item
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Susan B. Anthony's Birthday
From the National Women's History Project, this reminder--Susan B, Anthony's birthday is February 15, 1820. She was born 100 years before women in the United States won the right to vote in 1920. A woman ahead of her time. Take a few minutes on the 15th to read about one of our country's most courageous and forward thinking advocates on behalf of women. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony
Get More Involved in the DWC!!
The DWC Steering Committee is the group that organizes and manages the business of the DWC. We do much of our work through smaller groups or committees, and we welcome help from the membership to bring fresh ideas and hands to the work of running our operation.
• Program Committee - Planning meetings and programs, outreach to build membership; inform current members; education; notification
• Fundraising and Events - track goals, inspire attendees to donate; analyze and expand efforts; plan social events (movie nights, etc.)
• Communications (Monday Morning News, website, Facebook, Twitter, blog, etc) - outreach to build membership; inform current members; education; notification
• Training - prepare candidates as well as workers to help candidates and causes
• Membership - outreach, goals, retention, renewals
To get involved, go to the DWC website at http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/volunteer or email [email protected] and let us know what goals you want to work towards. If you have special skills, please note that as well. We'd love to have you working with us!!
And don't forget to like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!
EVENTS
Love Songs For A Lasting World - A Benefit for Middle Way House
Monday February 13, 7:00 - 9:00pm - Buskirk Chumley Theatre
Music for all hearts… full, lonely, or broken - with Malcolm Dalglish, The Oolites & Friends. Settings of love poems, light verse, dance, romance, humor, a bonfire & pie. More information here. Tickets available at the Buskirk Chumley Theater Box Office.
Indiana Reproductive Justice Valentine Delivery
Tuesday, February 14, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Indiana State House 200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis
Join the Indiana Reproductive Justice Coalition as we deliver Hoosier's handmade valentines to our state lawmakers. Want to host a party to help folks make valentines and inform them of the status of legislation in our state? Contact a coalition group member! www.indianareprojustice.org See note in announcements section for making Valentines for legislators!
Being Bloomington: Being Together: An Hour of Quiet Reflection For All
Wednesday, February 15 from 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. - Buskirk Chumley Theater
Five inspired women came together to create a safe space for all people and a place for people to come together in self-reflection, prayer, and/or meditation in a space that is secular but that promotes a coming together of all people in order to heal the divide that not only exists in the world and our country, but also in Bloomington.
For more information about Being, Bloomington: Being Together, contact Nancy Kalina at [email protected].
Feb 15 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., Mother Bear’s Pizza, East & West locations
State of the City Address by Bloomington Mayor, John Hamilton
Thursday, February 16, 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30), Buskirk-Chumley Theatre
Mayor Hamilton will highlight the administration’s priorities, challenges and opportunities. Topics will include public safety, affordable housing, the Trades District, Switchyard Park, water quality and citywide broadband, among others. He will provide an update on his first year in office, describing the changes and progress made, and describe plans for 2017 and beyond. A reception in the lobby of the theater will immediately follow.
Democratic Party Chair Chat Forum
Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m., City Council Chambers, 401 N. Morton
Another opportunity to share your ideas on the direction of the Democratic Party is to attend the chair chat forum with our state Party chair, John Zody.
Islamic Center Openhearted Open House
Sunday, February 19, 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Islamic Center of Bloomington
1925 E Atwater Ave, Bloomington, Indiana 47401
https://www.facebook.com/events/372618759762253/
The Islamic Center of Bloomington (ICOB) and the Openhearted Campaign cordially invite you for a casual evening of dinner and sharing at our second annual Openhearted Open House. We look forward to getting to know you through our interactive presentations (topics TBA). Parking is available at the Center and in the surrounding neighborhoods. Dinner will be served open buffet style all evening, and presentations will take place around 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, and 7:00 pm. You will also be invited to observe us praying the sunset prayer at 6:45 pm. Learn more about how we are involved in the Bloomington community, and talk and share with your Muslim neighbors, iA! We can't wait to see you there!
First United Church, 2420 E. Third Street
The Friends Committee on National Legislation is a Quaker lobby that seeks to promote just, peaceful and equitable policies for the U.S. Government. FCNL’s influence in Washington stems from the integrity and truthfulness of our arguments and the strength of our grassroots network. Learn more at fcnl.org/advocacyteams
Elections for Monroe County Democratic Party Offices
March 4, 10:00 a.m., Monroe County Courthouse
The call to caucus has been sent: All Party offices, including Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer will be filled by Democratic precinct chairs and vice chairs at a caucus March 4 at 10 a.m. at the Nat U. Hill room in the County Courthouse. If you have any questions or are interested in running for any of these positions, please send an e-mail to [email protected].
ACTION ITEM:
From SwingLeft.org
Don't despair. Mobilize!
Control of the House in 2018 will be decided by a handful of Swing Districts, places where the last election was decided by a thin margin. Find your closest Swing District and join its team to learn about actionable opportunities to support progressives—and defeat Republicans—in that district, no matter where you live. We can stop Trump and the GOP agenda by working together NOW. Click on the link here https://swingleft.org/ to find the nearest swing districts to Bloomington.
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/