In honor of today's historic significance, we open with a proclamation from the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women:
Monday, August 26th is Women's Equality Day. It marks the 99th anniversary of women in the United States winning the right to vote. This courageous, 72-year (1848–1920) political movement was carried out by tens of thousands of women and men working to form a more perfect union.
The significance of the woman suffrage campaign is remarkable when one considers all the barriers suffragists had to overcome. They were frequently ridiculed, harassed, attacked, and even thrown into jail when they protested... still they persevered!
Finally on August 29, 1920, their goal was achieved with the 19th Amendment. Women had won the right to vote and hold public office.
Women's Equality Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the many benefits of true equality and the important role women play in public service and government.
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And yet, even as we celebrate, let us be mindful that even after the amendment's ratification, women (and men) of color did not receive full voting rights until the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, and even now laws are being passed to try to disenfranchise people of color, the elderly, students, and individuals with disabilities.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Blue Drinks - The return of Politics and Cocktails…
One of the things that came up frequently during our listening sessions was that DWC members wanted increased opportunities to meet with each other in ways that weren’t confined to our Breakfasts or a defined program… so we’re bringing back the Politics and Cocktail Hours. Join us at Truffles on Friday, September 20 at 5:30pm for our next event. More details closer to the date.
DWC Training Series….
We are planning a series of trainings as we head into 2020 to be held on the second Tuesday of each month at Democratic Headquarters. Details are still in the works but the first DWC Training will be held on Oct. 8 under the broad topic - Why not you and why NOT you? - we’ll look at why women run, why you should run, how you can help women run and provide some information on the contested offices in 2020, their requirements and how to file for them… more information to come in future editions of the MMN….
DWC Steering Committee Membership:
At the last DWC Breakfast the membership ratified Michelle Bright as a new steering committee member, her term will expire in 2020. The Steering Committee has been talking to several women who are interested in joining the committee and, as directed by the Bylaws, we will present an additional member for a term that expires in 2020, for ratification at the next breakfast. The S.C. also decided to wait until the annual elections to fill the remaining two open S.C. positions that will expire this year.
Nominations are open for the DWC Steering Committee are now open:
December is fast approaching as are elections to the DWC Steering Committee.
The following positions will be up for election:
Vice Chair:
Treasurer:
and 5 at-large positions.
The Steering Committee is a working board… we meet on the third Saturday of the month at 10am and also . If you have questions about serving on the Steering Committee, about duties of the officers and at-large members, would like to nominate yourself or someone else for the Steering Committee, or you are a member who would like to serve on the Nominating Committee to help develop a slate for the December elections, please contact Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected].
Are you creative, skilled at writing, a social media expert?? - THE DWC NEEDS YOU!!
We are looking for a few good women to join our Monday Morning News and Social Media Team to help keep our membership informed - if you can help - contact us at [email protected].
Endorsement Review Committee:
Jillian Kinzie is heading up an ENDORSEMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE with the intent of having a finished document in late fall ready for review by the membership so that we can have a finalized process ready prior to the start of the 2020 Election session. If you are interested in contributing to this process please email us at [email protected].
Your thoughts are always welcome: We welcome your thoughts on DWC events and issues….Please share your thoughts on this organization as we move forward, in our community and our state. For those brilliant ideas that come in the middle of the night! Email [email protected].
ENDORSED CANDIDATE EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SUE SGAMBELLURI FOR CITY COUNCIL
FALL CAMPAIGN LAUNCH + FUNDRAISER
Friday, September 6, 2019, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Griffin Realty Offices, 735 S. College Ave.
Time to launch the Fall Campaign Season for the 2019 City Election!
Join your neighbors from across the City, and meet Sue Sgambelluri - Democratic Candidate for Bloomington City Council District 2. Share your ideas, enjoy lively discussion, and hear more about her priorities for our city.
Contributions of all sizes are welcome and appreciated.
Can't make it to the event?
Please visit www.SueForCityCouncil.com and click on "Contribute". Thanks!
https://www.facebook.com/events/353280965574443/
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THE THIRD DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE will be in Houston, Texas, on September 12 and will be hosted by ABC. The qualifications for participating in this debate are more stringent as explained in this article from VOX. The deadline to qualify is Wednesday, August 28. A second night, on Friday, September 13, will be added if necessary.
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION:
Kaisa Goodman has returned as Interim Executive Director for the Monroe County Democratic Party, through the fall Municipal election this November. The Party is also accepting resumes for a new Executive Director to start at that time. To learn more about what this role entails and to submit a resume, email [email protected]. Applications are due by August 24th.
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
The MCDP will be at several upcoming community events, and needs your help to staff the booths and march in the parades! Please contact Kaisa at [email protected] to sign up for a shift (or two) or if you have any questions.
Monroe County Fall Festival: Staffing needed Thursday, September 19th through Saturday, September 21st, and we will be in the parade on Saturday at noon.
Stinesville Quarry Festival: Staffing needed Thursday, September 26th through Saturday, September 28th, and we will be in the parade on Saturday at 2pm.
MidWay Music Festival: Staffing needed on Saturday, October 5th
BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS: A great way to get involved and learn about how government works in Monroe County and Bloomington and to make a difference in your community:
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON B&Cs
The office of the City Clerk announces a vacant position on the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability. This position is available for city residents 18 years of age or older. The BCOS promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity in the community for present and future generations. The commission gathers and disseminates information; promotes practical initiatives, and measures, monitors, and reports on the community’s progress towards sustainability.
For information on this position, or other commissions that have vacancies at this time, contact the office of the City Clerk or check https://bloomington.in.gov/boards to see the nature of the board or commission, recent minutes and actions and how that particular vacancy is filled.
MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL B&Cs
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners invites you to apply to serve on a Board or Commission! There are immediate openings on a number of these bodies, including: Animal Management, Environmental Commission, and the Human Rights Commission. For information on each of them, see https://www.co.monroe.in.us/boards/. The application is available here: https://www.co.monroe.in.us/egov/documents/1533065264_74301.pdf. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]).
EVENTS
Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 3:00-11:30 pm
Teacher Compensation Input Session
Concord Junior High School, 59397 County Road 11, Elkhart, Indiana 46517
see Aug.19 event for details - https://www.facebook.com/events/700812370332202/
Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 6:00-8:00 pm
Bloomington BeSMART Best Practices
Ellettsville Public Library, 600 W. Temperance St.
Come join Moms Demand Action to learn about the best practices for presenting and tabling as well as hear about all of the upcoming opportunities to get involved. RSVP here. Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/463409524243458/
Tuesday, August 27, 2019, 5:30-7:00 pm
Bloomington United: We Are Stronger Than Hate
Monroe County Courthouse
Bloomington United is hosting an Evening of Solidarity to affirm Bloomington residents’ commitment to inclusion and understanding and to provide an opportunity for our community to stand together.The evening will feature a number of speakers from our diverse community, music by Carrie Newcomer, a chance to get a No-Hate yard sign, and information on ways each of us can fight hate. As a community, we can learn more about how to fight against hate and promote inclusion. Our diversity is a strength, and so is Bloomington’s commitment to the values we hold dear. Together, we are stronger than hate. The rain date for this event is Wednesday 8/28. Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2112302795737467/
Saturday, August 31, 2019, 3:00-11:30 pm
Bloomington Pridefest
Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington
This weekend is the sixth annual Bloomington Pridefest! Stay informed by checking out the website here: https://bloomingtonpride.org/pridefest. Numerous Pridefest workshops and other events are scheduled, starting with a kickoff event on 8/24, and you can read about them as well as the festival lineup here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/bloomingtonpride/events.
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Black Lives Matter August Medical and Bath Supplies Drive
#BlackLivesMatterBloomington believes everyone deserves the basics necessities in life. Unfortunately our society isn't set up to ensure everyone has those things, but we can change that. We can help those in need, providing them those basic everyday items that are often taken for granted. This drive is VERY easy to participate in. Learn about the Necessity Drive, including what donations are needed, here: https://blm.btown-in.org/summer-2019-necessity-drive.html. Donation Drop Off Date: August 31st at Bloomington Pridefest. Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/399395120876697/.
Monday, September 2, 2019 5:00-10:00 pm
Refugees Welcome Here Dine & Donate
King Dough, 108 W. Sixth St., Bloomington
This September, City of Bloomington’s Latino Programs and Bloomington Cooperative Living invite you to offer a simple act of hospitality to migrants coming to the U.S. Your donation will fund three organizations supporting refugees on the southern border & here in Bloomington: The Bloomington Refugee Support Network offers incredible solidarity to the refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants in our town. The Trans Liberation Coalition, based in Albuquerque, provides money, food, clothing and sponsorship to transgender asylum-seekers in and recently released from long-term ICE detention. Contra Viento y Marea is a dining hall and community kitchen run by women from the migrant caravans, serving 600+ warm meals per day to migrants from all over the world, most from Central America, Africa, and the Caribbean, who have been delayed entry into the U.S. due to hostile and volatile immigration. Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/338642847079473/
Thursday, September 5, 2019 11:00am-11:00pm
Refugees Welcome Here Dine & Donate
BJ’s Restaurant, 411 S. College Mall Road
see Sept. 2 event for full details
Friday, September 6, 2019, 7:30 am
DWC Monthly Breakfast
The Village Deli, 409 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington
Stay tuned for further information about the speaker and program.
Friday, September 6, 2019, 9:30-11:00 am
All-Options Drop-in Volunteer Action Hours
All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center, 1014 S. Walnut St.
Have you ever wanted to get involved with All-Options, but aren't sure about making a long-term commitment? Would you like to do some hands-on work in a judgment-free, supportive environment? Join All-Options for drop-in volunteer time -- usually the first Friday of every month. They will have projects available for you to jump right in. All ages welcome! Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2743454419004501
Friday, September 6, 2019, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Sue Sgambelluri For Council Fall Campaign Launch & Fundraiser
Griffin Realty Offices, 735 S. College Ave.
see above for full details
Saturday, September 7, 2019, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Community-wide Middle Way House Volunteer Training
Bloomington Transit Downtown Terminal, 301 S. Walnut St.
Help believe and support survivors with meaningful alternatives to living with violence by volunteering with Middle Way House! You can attend the training, even if your schedule won't allow you to make an immediate commitment so that you are ready to begin when your schedule allows! All volunteers must participate in one of their eight-hour volunteer training sessions held throughout the year. There is NO pre-registration required for the training; you may complete the volunteer application and bring it with you to the training, or complete it during the lunch break. For more information about volunteer positions, visit: https://middlewayhouse.org/takeanaction/volunteer/volunteer-positions/. For questions or additional information, contact Evelyn Smith, community outreach coordinator: [email protected]
Sunday September 8, 2019, 4:00-7:00 pm
5th Annual Hamilton Family Picnic
Bryan Park, Henderson Shelter
Join Mayor John Hamilton and Dawn Johnsen for the 5th annual Hamilton Friends and Family Picnic. Enjoy food from BBQ Train and listen to great music by Huckleberry Funk! Meet your Democratic municipal candidates as well as 2020 candidates for state and federal office.
Thursday, September 12, 2019, 5:30-7:00 pm
Indiana House Democratic Caucus Fundraiser
Nick's English Hut, 423 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Thursday, September 12, 2019, 7:45-9:00 am
Wake Up! with United Way - Homelessness: Unpacking the Point in Time Count
The Mill, 642 N. Madison St.
Is homelessness on the rise locally? Nationally? How do we know what the trends are, and who makes up this population? Join United Way on September 12th, as the Rev. Forrest Gilmore, Executive Director of Shalom Community Center, takes us through the data, as well as the volunteer-intensive process for gathering it each year. Your $10 ticket will cover the cost of breakfast, with remaining proceeds supporting United Way of Monroe County's efforts to address our community's critical needs today, while reducing those needs tomorrow. Facebook event page (with link to purchase ticket): https://www.facebook.com/events/401834247356694/
Saturday, September 14, 2019, 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Moms Demand Action September Meeting
Monroe County Public Library room 2A
RSVP Here. Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/446282619550972/
Tuesday, September 17, 2019, 5:00 pm
Trevor Potter lecture
Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Moot Court Room, 211 S. Indiana Ave.
This Constitution Day lecturer will speak to the dangers posed to our democracy by our flawed system of campaign finance.
Sunday, September 22, 2019, 4:00 pm
Charlie vs. Goliath
Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N. Fee Ln.
This documentary shows how a political unknown mounts a shoestring campaign for the US Senate in Wyoming.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Third Annual South Central Opioid Summit
Monroe County Convention Center, 302 S. College Ave., Bloomington
The 3rd Annual Opioid Summit will be held September 24, 2019, at the Monroe County Convention Center. More details to come! Save the date! Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/278644883001208/
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 10:30 am-5:30 pm
The Summit
Monroe County Public Library
The Summit will connect and empower citizens on various issues facing women, transgender, and non-binary individuals in Monroe County and beyond. Community experts will create a safe space for discussion and education on wellness, healthcare access, homelessness, politics, jobs, recovery, and more. Free. Age 13 and up. Light refreshments available courtesy of Bloomingfoods, Hopscotch Coffee, and Two Sticks Bakery. Donations for period products (tampons, pads, unused cups) will be accepted throughout the day, and will be distributed equally between Shalom Community Center and Middle Way House at the end of The Summit. Free chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis C, and HIV testing is available onsite. Syringe services, harm reduction, and naloxone distribution/training will also be available. Visit the Facebook event page for more details and to see the schedule of events: https://www.facebook.com/events/2137189706389989/
Saturday, October 19, 2019, 6:00 pm
The Brainwashing of My Dad
Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
This groundbreaking documentary by filmmaker Jen Senko examines the rise of right-wing media through the lens of her father, whose immersion in its daily propaganda radicalized him and whose new fanaticism rocked the very foundation of their family. Following the program, there will be a guided discussion with media experts offering tips on how to break free of the social media bubble.
ACTION ITEM(s):
Voting rights are under attack across the country. Since the 2010 elections, the Brennan Center for Justice has documented hundreds of measures making it harder to vote, many of them enacted in the name of preventing "voter fraud" that has been proven time and again—by both Republican and Democratic election officials—to be virtually non-existent. Strict new voter ID laws, the purging of voter rolls, restrictions on early voting, the closing of voter registration offices in predominantly minority areas, and, egregiously, a law passed by the Republican-led Florida legislature that essentially nullifies a ballot measure restoring voting rights to ex-felons--all of these measures have one purpose: to make it harder for people of color and the economically disadvantaged to vote for officials who might better represent their interests and needs. So what can you do? Join or donate to organizations fighting voter suppression: the Brennan Center for Justice (https://www.brennancenter.org/), the American Civil Liberties Union (https://www.aclu.org/), the League of Women Voters (https://www.lwv.org/), Common Cause (https://www.commoncause.org/). Let your legislators know that you demand they protect voters' rights. And get out and work for candidates from the local to the national levels who will protect every eligible citizen's access to the ballot.
Todd Young:
https://www.young.senate.gov/contact/email-todd
(202) 224-5623
Mike Braun
https://www.braun.senate.gov/contact-mike
(202) 224-4814
Trey Hollingsworth
https://hollingsworth.house.gov/contact/
(202) 225-5315 (U.S. House) or (812) 288-3999 (Jeffersonville Office)
BECOME A DWC MEMBER or RENEW your membership!
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/