The year is winding down but the political scene is just starting to heat up… we are only month away from the first day that candidates can file a declaration of candidacy. A number of individuals have already announced their intention to run in the 2020 elections and there will be many more in the coming weeks. From the Presidency on down to Convention Delegates there are important places on the ballot for you or someone you know.
Our thanks to Penny Githens for organizing a very informative program for our December meeting. Erika Oliphant, Angie Purdie, Margie Rice and Penny (standing in for Lee Jones) spoke about the ongoing efforts to reorganize the the criminal justice system in Monroe County.
“Monroe County’s Criminal Justice Review Project, is a year long comprehensive and deep-down evaluation of the current system’s strengths, weaknesses and shortcomings — and how it might change for the better.” Through evaluations by consultants, interviews with stake holders and input from community conversations, the County is looking to improve conditions at our County Correctional Facility by reducing the number of individuals held at the facility, improving the conditions for those who are incarcerated and by strengthening alternatives to incarceration.
The Indiana Constitution mandates reformative rather than punitive justice and there is a great deal of discretion within the justice system to set up programs that keep individuals out of jail, keep them from harm while they are incarcerated, and keep them from coming back once released.
Studies have shown that up to 80% of individuals in the system have diagnosed or undiagnosed mental issues and substance abuse problems. Early childhood education, treatment options, alternatives to cash bail and pre-trial diversion programs that keep people out of jail and get them the treatment they need instead of incarceration as well programs to help reduce recidivism for individuals who are in the system are all being examined. This is not an individual or county problem, it is a community problem and there is something for everyone in the room to help with.
The Project hopes to have a report ready in February and the Diversion Center up and running by early summer… we’ll try to keep you informed.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:
**DWC Steering Committee Election Results:
Congratulations to our new Steering Committee Members, the following women won election at the December elections:
Kaisa Goodman: Vice Chair
Vicky Sorensen: Treasurer
and our At-Large Members: Claire Cumberland, Emily Salzmann, Elizabeth Sensenstein and Marleyla Wiltz.
And a huge thank you to our outgoing Steering Committee Members: Rachel Gulgielmo, Jillian Kinzie and Charlotte Zietlow… they have served the organization well and received a well deserved round of applause at the meeting… not that we will let them go far, there is an immense wealth of institutional knowledge represented in those three names….
**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].
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]
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UPCOMING POLITICAL FUNDRAISERS:
Tuesday, December 10, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Hope In 8: Bloomington Fundraiser for Thomasina Marsili
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, 411 S. College Mall Road, Bloomington
A Bloomington fundraiser for Thomasina Marsili, who is running as a Democrat for Congress in Indiana's 8th District. Her platform focuses on a livable minimum wage, affordable healthcare, and support for public education.
Thomasina isn't just running for Congress, she's making history: when she wins the Democratic Primary in May, she will be the first openly LGBTQ+ major party congressional nominee in Indiana history.
Donations made be made online here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/hope-in-8-20
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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next Democratic Presidentail Debate will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
This is the sixth of 12 Democratic primary debates scheduled for the 2020 presidential election.
Partners are PBS News Hour and Politico.
Moderators will be Judy Woodruff, Tim Alberta, Amna Nawaz and Yamiche Alcindor.
Candidates have until December 12, 2019, to qualify by reaching a grassroots fundraising threshold of 200,000 unique contributors and a polling threshold of 4 percent support in four eligible polls or 6 percent support in two eligible state-level polls. For the full list of requirements, click here.
As of December 3, 2019, six candidates had qualified for the debate: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer and Elizabeth Warren. Former presidential candidate Kamala Harris had also qualified for the debate before ending her presidential campaign run.
From the Ninth District: Don't let Republicans steal Charlestown's Election
Help us support Charlestown Mayor - Elect Treva Hodges
Election night our candidate for Charlestown Mayor, Treva Hodges, won. After provisional ballots were counted, her victory against Republican Bob Hall stood at a margin of 32 votes. Now, Bob Hall wants to upend the election and has filed a contest lawsuit aimed at forcing a new election.
We can't allow Bob Hall to steal this Election from the voters of Charlestown!
We're asking our Ninth District supporters to chip-in today to ensure Mayor-elect Hodges has the legal support to fend off this frivolous challenge.
The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial: On Aug. 26, 1920, Hoosier women won the right to vote. At first glance, the meaning behind that statement is simple. But the real story goes much deeper.
In Indiana, almost seventy years passed between the first calls for women’s voting rights and the passage of the 19th Amendment. And, though momentous, 1920 is just one milestone in a long and ongoing journey, and access to the voting booth is just one part of what it means to be an equal part of the democratic process.
The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial, catalyzed by Indiana Humanities, the Indianapolis Propylaeum, the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau, working with many grassroots and local partners, marks the anniversary of the 19th Amendment. We invite Hoosiers to honor the ideas and ideals that fueled the suffrage movement in Indiana, and the people who led the way; to engage in a conversation about inclusion, equity, perseverance and power; to consider what remains to be done to ensure that our democracy truly includes everyone; and to identify and act on the lessons of the women’s suffrage movement.
The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission has issued a Call for Proposals to Indiana-based artists to create an original work of art to be displayed in the Indiana Statehouse to commemorate the 19th Amendment.
Read more: indianasuffrage100.org
A Tournament of Roses Parade Float Is Celebrating the 2020 Suffrage Centennial
The Nineteenth Amendment was officially approved by Congress on June 4, 1920 and the 100th anniversary year of women’s rights to vote will kick off in true suffrage style during the New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, Calif. next year.
During the “Power of Hope”-themed event, a float will announce the city’s celebration of the Votes for Women Centennial, offering “an exceptional and unprecedented opportunity to commemorate this political victory and to remember that this victory was won by a 72-year long struggle and campaign for the vote.”
The float will feature a 30-foot Statue of Liberty, a symbol of enlightenment, holding the tablet of the 19th amendment and dressed in the suffrage sash. Riders on the float will include the “Bouquet of Suffrage Descendants”—descendants of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass and other key advocates.
The float will be covered in yellow roses, a symbol during the suffrage movement of support for Women’s Right to Vote, and 100 people will have the rare chance to march five miles down Colorado Boulevard as part of the event—”out-marchers” dressed in all-white wearing historic suffrage sashes.
With the 2020 election looming larger than ever, the float will act as “a symbol of inspiration and a reminder for all Americans to recognize the responsibility and the power to vote.”
To get involved by donating floral vials, click here. If you’re interested in becoming an out-walker, click here.
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Please contact Monroe County Executive Director Taegan Bolden-Davis at [email protected] to volunteer, to sign up for a shift (or two) or if you have any questions.
Ongoing Tabling at the Farmers Market Saturday mornings
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, December 10, 2019, 6:00-8:00 pm
HOPE IN 8: Fundraiser for Thomasina Marsili
BJ's Brewhouse, 411 S College Mall Rd., Bloomington
A fundraiser to support Thomasina Marsili, who is running for congress in Indiana's 8th District. Her platform is focused on a living minimum wage, support for public education, and affordable healthcare. Thomasina will also be the first openly LGBTQ+ major party congressional nominee in Indiana history when she wins the May primary. Facebook event here: https://facebook.com/events/949386625424861/?ti=as
Wednesday, December 11, 2019 5:30pm
Medicare For all Indiana Meeting
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Room 8, 100 N. State Road 46 Bypass, Bloomington
December meeting agenda: How to Talk with Conservatives (which includes “moderate” Democrats these days). Based on many of the ideas that Dr Ed Weisbart has developed [watch video here], explore and practice ideas like those developed in the following books. Everyone is encouraged to pick and read at least one of these books before the December meeting:
STRANGERS IN THEIR OWN LAND: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild.
The Political Mind: A Cognitive Scientist’s Guide to Your Brain and Its Politics by George Lakoff.
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathon Haidt.
To get the newsletter or for more information email: [email protected]
Thursday December 12, 2019 11:00am-1:15pm
Election Security Under Attack: How Vulnerable is Indiana?
Indiana State House, House Chambers (3rd Floor) • 200 W Washington St., Indianapolis, IL 46204
Hosted by Common Cause Indiana - contact Info: Julia Vaughn, [email protected]
What should local, state, and the federal government be doing to ensure the upcoming presidential election in 2020 will be free of outside interference? How can we safeguard a system that varies not just state by state, but county by county? Will partisan officials be able to agree on the problem, let alone the solution?
Join Common Cause Indiana to hear from state and national election security experts as they tackle these questions and more.
General Registration, $25.00, Student Registration $10.00 per ticket
Attorney Claiming CLE Credit Registration $75.00 — Note: we have been certified for 2.2 CLE credits
Panelists include:
Susannah Goodman, Director of Election Security at Common Cause
Bill Groth, Indianapolis attorney and election law expert
Greg Shufeldt, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Butler University
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and will conclude at 1:15 p.m.
Thursday, December 12, 2019 6:00pm -7:00pm
Bank on Bloomington Free Personal Finance Class
Downtown Transit Center conference room: 3rd and Walnut
Bank on Bloomington will be holding free personal finance classes once a month! Topics will rotate each month, but feel free to come with questions on any financial topic and the instructor will have time to answer them. This month’s topic is retirement, investment, and long-term savings. The instructor will provide important information on how to be financially prepared for retirement. Childcare services are available upon request. For more information and to register, visit www.bankonbloomington.org.
Thursday, December 12, 2019 6:00pm - 9:00pm
TEDxBloomingtonWomen
The FAR Center for Contemporary Arts, 5050 W. 4th St., Bloomington
This is our year to be bold and brilliant -- without apology. At TEDxBloomingtonWomen, we're shining a spotlight on dazzling ideas from some of the most extraordinary risk-takers and innovators. Celebrating pioneers making power moves, brilliant people who are just getting started, and those who tirelessly show up as allies and advocates. TEDxBloomingtonWomen 2019 will be no less than a joyful, thought-provoking celebration of smarts, savvy and diverse dynamism.
An engaging night of speakers, starting with a wine reception from Oliver Winery and desserts from Hive! More information at https://www.facebook.com/events/440086143280681/
Thursday, December 19, 2019 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Holiday Celebration with the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus & The Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana
Monroe County Democratic Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St., Bloomington
Celebrate the holidays! It's a pitch-in so please bring a dish to share if you can, but feel free to attend even if you can't . . .
https://www.facebook.com/events/1534818973360424/
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Democratic Presidential Debate
Los Angeles, California, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
This is the sixth of 12 Democratic primary debates scheduled for the 2020 presidential election.
Partners are PBS News Hour and Politico.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020, Noon
Inauguration Day: Swearing In Ceremony and Reception
Bloomington City Hall
Help your local officials commence their terms of public service. Free parking and free refreshments!
Saturday, January 4, 2020, 1:30am - 2:30pm
Sue Sgambelluri Constituent Meeting
Bloomington City Hall, Room #245
Sharing updates on current City Council legislation and taking questions, comments and ideas.
Topic this Month: The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Convention Center Expansion and 2020 Forecast.
Sunday, January 19, 2020 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Medicare For All Indiana Film: The Color Of Medicine
The Buskirk Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington
A showing of the new movie The Color of Medicine, a documentary capturing the history of medical training of African-Americans at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Earl Robinson Jr, a retired OB GYN from Indianapolis is featured in the movie and will be present. He will participate in discussion and Q&A following the screening. Free admission. Please help us publicize this event. We could use volunteers to help that evening!
Monday, January 20, 6:00pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
The community is invited to attend the 2020 City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration. Free and open to the public. Auditorium doors open at 5:30pm. The celebration begins with a reception at 6pm followed by the program at 7pm, including remarks by Hamilton, members of the MLK Commission, and others. Musical contributions from the Indiana University African American Choral Ensemble, directed by Dr. Raymond Wise, Fairview elementary school students, and Jacobs School of Music Ballet Department students and faculty. Volunteers who participated in "A Day ON! Not A Day Off" will be recognized, and the winner of the Commission’s Legacy Award will be announced. The theme is “Courage and Beautiful Struggle: Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Our Work” featuring keynote speaker Dr. Melina Abdullah. The program will end around 8:30pm.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
IN Democratic Party Blue Bench Training
IVY Tech Conference Center, 2820 N Meridian St Indianapolis, IN 46208
Join the Indiana Democratic Party and the National Democratic Training Committee at their Blue Bench Training for candidates and potential candidates, campaign staff and volunteer staff, and local party infrastructure on January 25 for all the tools and tips you need to launch a successful campaign or create and build infrastructure for your local party. More women, first-time candidates and young people have stepped up to move Indiana forward. If you're ready to do the work, let them help you get started.
Registration begins 30 minutes before the training begins.
The training costs $25 to cover breakfast and lunch.
Sign up for the training here.
ACTION ITEM(s):
1. Renew your membership in the DWC for 2020 (see below)
2. As we wend our way towards the end of this year, consider your options for helping to elect good leaders in 2020: Become active in the DWC, serve on a committee, send us your ideas. Work with the local and state Democratic Parties to effect change in our communities. Sign a petition to put candidates on a state or federal ballot. Join a campaign, support a candidate, educate yourself on the issues, keep your elected officials accountable for their legislative decisions, register a voter and, of course, vote in 2020!.
3. Make your own plans to run - the start of filing for political offices in Indiana is about a month away. Now is the time to make your own plans, do your research and make a decision to run. Let us know how we can help!
4. Take a deep breath and have a very happy holiday season
HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
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
(317) 822-8240
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/