They’re baaaack…. No, we’re not talking about the ghosts from the 1982 horror flick Poltergeist but about Russian bots, trolls, and hackers already busy interfering in our election. And to no one’s surprise, their efforts to undermine the foundations of our democracy are being aided and abetted by the Republican Party, from the president, who fired Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire for outing Russian meddling, to the spineless congressmen whose interest in national security fell short of holding a lawless Trump accountable for soliciting Ukrainian “assistance” in an investigation designed to smear Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Closer to home, Republicans in the state legislature continue their efforts to disenfranchise Hoosier voters. Voting rights advocates for the Indiana League of Women Voters report:
“SB334 passed out of the House Elections and Apportionment committee Thursday by a vote of 6-4. As written, SB334 allows the state to remove voters from the voter registration list without notifying them that they have been removed. Without language requiring voter notification, SB334 will be in violation of the National Voter Registration Act. It will end up in court just as the unconstitutional Cross-Check program did, costing the citizens of Indiana even more tax dollars.
There is a strong possibility of at least one amendment adding the necessary notification language being introduced this week during the Bill’s second reading. Call or write your Representative today and tell them to support any Second Reading amendment that adds notification language to SB334.”
Even if you’ve already called, call again ASAP. Democracy depends on it.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:
ENDORSEMENT VOTE: We are currently working with candidates who have applied for endorsement by the DWC in 2020 and hope to have everything ready for a vote by our next breakfast meeting on March 6. Details will be in next week’s MMN. All members can vote on endorsements but your 2020 dues must be paid by this Wednesday, February 26, in order to be eligible. If you are unsure as to whether you’re up to date, email us at [email protected]
The DWC is looking for non Steering Committee members to help with our Endorsement Committee for 2020. We will be conducting interviews next weekend but don't have the full schedule set at this time, so you would need to have availability on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to join the committee email Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected].
The Women’s History Month Lunch will be held on March 25, 2020 at the Monroe County Convention Center. This year’s national theme is Valiant Women of the Vote. Keynote speaker for the lunch is journalist Elaine Weiss and awardees are Women of the Year: Jessika Hane and Dr. Tashera Perry and Lifetime Contribution, Beth Lodge-Rigal. Emerging Leader,Shatoyia Moss, and Young Woman of the Year, Solveig Ksander Hicks, will also be recognized. (Those awards will be presented at at the Women’s Leadership Development Event at City Hall on March 28).
The DWC plans to reserve a table for the lunch. Tickets for reserved table seats are $35. If you are interested in sitting with the DWC, please contact us asap at [email protected] and once we have enough people to make up a table we will contact you about paying for your seats. If there is enough interest we may reserve a second table as well.
Note: If you would like to sponsor the event contact Sue Owens. If you are a local woman owned business or non-profit who has questions or would like to reserve a display table at the event contact Barbara McKinney. You can also donate tickets to help provide seats for the event for women from MiddleWay House and other groups, you can do so online at the BCT Box Office - select the “Pay It Forward” option.
Are you creative, skilled at writing, a social media expert?? - THE DWC NEEDS YOU!! We trust you like our communications and rely on them to help keep you informed of political happenings and DWC operations. Those communications are not magically self-generating-they are an essential function of the DWC and we have a small crew of creative women who make it happen. We are looking for women to join that team and help create the Monday Morning News and our Social Media messages. It is not time consuming, and it is not difficult. Plus, for those of us who like to write and craft messages, it is actually fun! If anyone reading this newsletter has a few scant hours a month to help us out, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]
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CANDIDATE NEWS AND EVENTS:
Volunteering for Shelli Yoder: If you are interested in volunteering to help get Shelli to the State House, please join our team by emailing Ashley Pirani at [email protected]. There are several ways for you to get involved. Some of those opportunities include canvassing, helping to write postcards, and hosting a meet and greet. They'd love to have you join them!
Note: The DWC’s mission is to recruit, fund and support pro-choice, progressive women candidates in Monroe County. For more information about candidates, candidate events and other political information that does not fall within this mission, check out, among others, the Monroe County Democratic Party Website, The Indiana Democratic Party Website and the Indiana Secretary of State's Election Division. If you don't currently get the Monroe County Democratic Party Dispatch, you can send a note to [email protected] to sign up.
CANDIDATE & OTHER POLITICAL TRAININGS:
Monroe County Democratic Party
The MCDP will host two trainings, one on Communications and one on Fundraising, on March 5, 2020 at Democratic Headquarters. The Party will also hold a training on using the VAN in early March. Watch our Calendar of Events for full details.
Indiana Democratic Party
A Candidate Tool Box, Precinct Committee Person Handbook, VAN training and links to the Party’s Webinar Training Series can be found at https://www.indems.org/trainings-and-voter-file-access/
Emily’s List Webinars
Thursday, March 5, 2020 3:00pm - 4:00pm - Introduction to Campaign Messaging
Who are you? Why are you running? Why should people support you? As a candidate, you must be able to answer these questions with confidence. In this webinar, we'll walk through how to craft your personal narrative to create a message that potential voters can trust.
National Democratic Training Committee Webinars
The NDTC has and extensive list of webinars and courses in political management, messaging and communication, fundraising, and running for office. Check out their list of courses at https://traindemocrats.org/course-catalog/
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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The final day to register to be able to vote in the May 5 Indiana Primary is April 6.Now is a great time to double check that your voter registration is up to date - check your status at indianavoters.com
Early Voting for the Indiana Primary in Monroe County starts on April 7 - all absentee in person voting will take place at Election Central, 401 W. 7th St., Bloomington on the following dates:
April 7 - April 9 8an - 6pm
April 13 - April 17 8am - 6pm
April 20 - April 24 8am - 6pm
April 25 9am - 4pm
April 27 - May 1 8am - 6pm
May 2 9am - 4pm
May 4 8am - Noon
Upcoming National Caucuses & Primaries:
Feb. 29 South Carolina Primary
March 3 Super Tuesday - Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Democrats Abroad, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont & Virginia
Congratulations to Dorothy Granger who was caucused in this afternoon as the new Bloomington Township Board Member replacing Barbara McKinney. Dorothy defeated Tom Pappas; both candidates were thoughtful advocates for township government, another governmental entity under attack by the folks in Indianapolis and another good reason for us to replace those who currently “represent” us in the Statehouse.
Statehouse Caucus to address infant mortality & maternal health
Democratic state Rep. Vanessa Summers of Indianapolis has created the Maternal Health Caucus at the Legislature to address Indiana’s infant mortality rate, which is the third highest in the country, as well as dangers for women giving birth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 41 white women die for every 100,000 live births in Indiana, but the number rises to 53 for black women.
“Hoosier women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth are dying at a rate higher than women in countries like Iraq and Vietnam,” Summers said in a statement about the move. “We’ve talked a lot about addressing maternal mortality in this building, but, if I’m being honest, we’ve seen little to no action regarding this issue.
The group’s agenda includes raising awareness about the issue, establishing a Mortality Health Task Force and developing legislation to address patient safety protocols and cultural competency training for healthcare professions. Summers said the group will also fight for funding to provide access to “innovative services for women in minority communities.”
The Indiana Democratic Party wants to hear from you! The IDP is seeking your input on their 2020 State Democratic Platform and have been holding hearings around the state (Portage on January 15, Indianapolis on January 25 and New Albany on February 22) to learn what issues are important to Democratic voters. There is one remaining Platform Hearing, on March 14 in Fort Wayne, and these events are free and open to the public.
If you are unable to attend a Platform Hearing but would still like to participate, you can submit an online input form here. If you'd like to review the 2018 State Party Platform, click here. The open comment period will close on April 3, 2020 and a final draft of the Platform will be presented to delegates for approval at the 2020 State Convention on June 13th.
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
contact Taegan Bolden-Davis, Executive Director, Monroe County Democratic Party at [email protected]
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 in a tab at the right side of the boards page. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO OUR MEMBERSHIP:
Through December 31, 2020
VOTES FOR WOMEN: The Women’s Suffrage Movement in Monroe County
Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St., Bloomington
Commemorating the centennial of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution granting women the right to vote with a year-long exhibition in the Deckard Education Room. Featuring Monroe County women involved in the struggle for suffrage in the context of the State and National suffrage movements based on the research of Hilary Fleck and supported by the May Wright Sewall Fellowship from Indiana Humanities. Sponsored by The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial, the Monroe County Bicentennial, the City of Bloomington, and Monroe County NOW
Wednesday March 4, 2020, 6:30pm
Winning Back Indiana: A Candidate Forum On Equality And Justice
Whittenberger Auditorium (IMU), 900 E 7th St., Bloomington
Featuring Democratic Candidates for: Governor, Attorney General & 9th District Congressional Races
Emcee: Dana Black, Indiana Democratic Party Deputy Chair
Co-hosted by the College Democrats at Indiana University, the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus, 9th District, the Stonewall Democrats of South-Central Indiana, & the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus
Doors open at 6:30. Program starts at 6:45.
For more information or to RSVP: https://facebook.com/events/s/winning-back-indiana-a-candida/2774387382845389/?ti=icl
Thursday, March 5, 2020, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
MCDP Campaign Communications and
Fundraising Training
MCDP Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St.
MCDP will be hosting trainings for candidates, campaign staffers, and volunteers. Come and learn more about how to communicate with constituents to best serve your campaign and the best way to bring in donations! Communications begins at 5:30; Fundraising at 7:00.
Friday, March 6, 2020 7:30am - 9:00am
DWC Monthly Breakfast - Program TBA
Village Deli, 409 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington
Friday, March 6, 2020 9:30am - 3:00pm
“At the Crossroads: Women in Civic Leadership”
University of Indianapolis
As the nation marks the centennial of women’s suffrage, the Seventh Annual Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on Civic Leadership, hosted by the University of Indianapolis on March 6, will explore the impact of women in civic leadership both regionally and across the country. The annual symposium, organized by the University of Indianapolis Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives in partnership with Indiana Humanities, is made possible through the generous support of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. This year’s event brings together women from the corporate, political and nonprofit worlds to delve into achievements made and the milestones yet to be reached.
Featuring panel discussions, a keynote speech by Jennifer Lawless, Commonwealth Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia and author of It Still Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don’t Run for Office. and an INconversation with Jennifer Lawless and Rima Shahid.
Full details & registration information can be found here
March 6 - March 28, 2020
We Wait: A women’s suffrage-related art exhibit
Harrison Center For The Arts, Indianapolis
The centerpiece of this exhibit is a series of portraits of women, waiting—a remembrance of the many decades that women waited for the recognition of our right to vote. At the same time, these portraits underscore that women in our society are still waiting, in 2020: we’re waiting in too-long lines just to vote, of course, but we’re also still waiting to realize our equal and rightful place in American life. This exhibit hopes to serve both as a celebration of women’s suffrage, and as a timely reminder that the project is not yet complete.
Saturday, March 7, 2020, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Hoosier Women at Work Conference
Indiana Historical Society
450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, 46202
It's time for the fourth Hoosier Women at Work History Conference. In commemoration of the 19th Amendment centennial, the conference will be better than ever with extra sessions, awards, a reception, and two keynote speakers: Dr. Anita Morgan, Senior Lecturer at Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI and author of the forthcoming book about Indiana women's suffrage, “We Must Be Fearless”; and Angela Tate, Northwestern University.
The theme, “Suffrage and Citizenship,” is broadly defined and could include examinations of Hoosier women’s work for the vote, equal rights, labor equality, reproductive rights, etc., as well as topics related to equal citizenship for women of color, immigrants, and those who identify as LGBTQ. The time period is not limited to topics from 1920 and prior. They could include, for example, women working for Civil Rights in the 1960s or Native American rights in the 1970s.
Friday, March 27, 2020, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
2020 FDR Gala
Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S. Rogers St.
Please join MCDP for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, music, and fun with fellow Democrats! This event is free to attend, but all contributions are welcome: suggested donation $30.00. For information about sponsorships and contributions, please contact Kaisa Goodman at [email protected]. For questions about the event, please contact Gavin Everett at [email protected]
Sponsorship Levels:
Gold Sponsor/Event Host: $1000
Silver Sponsor: $500
Bronze Sponsor: $250
ACTION ITEM(s):
1. Renew your membership in the DWC for 2020 (see below)
2. Get involved with the DWC - there are a couple of ways you can contribute beyond your membership support, one immediate and one longer term.
Endorsement Committee: we are looking for a couple of women to serve as we develop recommendations for Candidate Endorsement for the 2020 Election Cycle. This would be a three week commitment starting immediately. For more information or to volunteer contact Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected].
Social Media: we are looking for women to help us maintain and keep our social media pages up to date and to contribute to writing and/or editing the Monday Morning News. A couple of our long time writers will be unavailable after this spring. This doesn’t necessarily require a major time commitment. If you’re interested please email us at [email protected]
3. Contact your Indiana representatives and urge them to support any second reading amendment to SB334 that includes language mandating notification (see above). Contact friends and family around the state and urge them to put pressure on their representatives too.
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/