While looking through ‘Today in History” for July 15th and reading through the events they highlighted that happened on this date, it was hard not to miss the discrepancy between the number of events featuring women vs those featuring men. Only 13% of the 93 events listed that specified a person referred to an event that highlighted the achievements of a woman.
One of the events listed was an entry for Clara Adams who, in 1939, “was the first woman to fly around the world”. How I asked myself, could I not know about this woman and her achievements. On further investigation I found that while she was indeed the first woman to fly around the world (the trip took sixteen days and nineteen hours and covered 24,609 miles), it was as a commercial passenger and not at the throttle of an airplane. Still, at a time in history that many people of both sexes were fearful of air travel, she did much to popularize air travel and to demonstrate that it was safe. Perhaps she was the inspiration for other women who dared to leave the safety of home to explore the world.
Thinking about this I wondered how many women’s achievements throughout history have gone un-noticed or un-recorded. What were the hardships they faced, what kind of support did they receive, who might they have inspired if someone had just known what they had done.
Watching the young girls (and boys) watch Megan Rapinoe play soccer, seeing Joy Harjo named the the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, listening to the six women present their ideas at the Democratic Debate I am reminded how important it is that the voices of the many be reflected in the public discourse, that our lives are diminished if we only pay attention to our “own tribe”. It’s why we should work to make sure that the voices of women are included in all aspects of government but that we should also listen to all the voices out there that work towards diversity and making the world a better place for everyone to live while fighting against those who would extinguish the lights of anyone who doesn't believe as they do.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DWC future
As we hope many of you know, we had three listening sessions over the past few weeks and have gotten emails from many of you with your thoughts. But we need more people to weigh in with the diversity of opinions and the great ideas we know you have.
Please share your thoughts on this organization as we move forward, in our community and our state. Opportunities for feedback will also be available in an online form. Watch for more information on that.... for those brilliant ideas that come in the middle of the night! Email [email protected]
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Christina Hale running for Congress: former Democratic state lawmaker Christina Hale has announced that she is seeking election to Congress in Indiana's 5th District seat, which is being vacated by Republican Susan Brooks - let's turn the 5th blue.
Citizen's Academy:
Whoa!!
Only FOUR spots left in the best free civic session in the city! You'll want one! The 2019 Citizens' Academy class will provide participants with an interactive learning experience about municipal government services, programs and departmental responsibilities. This year's Citizens' Academy session begins Thursday, August 29 and runs through October 24, the classes are from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can apply online at https://bloomington.in.gov/citizens-academy or contact Vickie Provine, [email protected] or call 812.349.3505.
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
Clerk Nicole Bolden has noted for us that the following bodies have vacancies at this time. 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.
Animal Control Commission
Bloomington Industrial Development Advisory Commission
Bloomington Arts Commission
Board of Public Safety
Commission on Aging
Commission on Sustainability
Commission on the Status of Children and Youth
Environmental Commission
Human Rights Commission
Parking Commission
Plan Commission
Traffic Commission
Tree Commission
Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association
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, July 16, 2019, 11:30am to 1:00pm
Monroe County Democrats’ Club Luncheon Meeting
DeAngelo’s Restaurant in Eastland Plaza
Vicky Polanski of the League of Women Voters will speak about gerrymandering and redistricting reform. The public is invited to attend.
July 17-20, 2019
2019 Young Democrats of America National Convention
Crowne Plaza, 123 W. Louisiana St, Indianapolis
Visit yda.org/convention for all details and convention matters.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will Headline the Conference, over 1,000 attendees are expected to travel to Indy for the convention.
Thursday, July 18, 2019, 6-7 pm
All-Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus Monthly Meeting
MCDP Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St.
All are welcome. Learn what the MCBDC is doing and how you can get involved.
Thursday, July 18, 2019, 6-8 pm
2019 SMART Girls, STRONG Women
Boys and Girls Club, 311 S. Lincoln St.
Join Boys and Girls Club for a fundraising event featuring dinner, dessert, a live auction and a discussion about helping young women reach their full potential in today’s challenging world. Their esteemed panelists will share their stories on facing challenges while rising to success and will also offer advice to the next generation of female superstars. This promises to be an unforgettable night! All proceeds benefit vital programming at the Club. More details and the link to buy tickets is on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/751558625239658/?ti=icl
Saturday, July 20, 2019 5:00-7:00pm
Ninth District Democrats Torchbearer Reception
The Club House at the Fields, 1333 Fenbrook Lane
Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight will discuss the importance of municipal leadership and the 2019 election cycle.
$20 per person / Free to Ninth District Torchbearers
For details: https://www.facebook.com/events/2500160856707086/
RSVP: [email protected]
Thursday, July 25, 2019, 4-9 pm
MC NOW Dine & Donate/Contact Your Reps Party
The Hive, 2608 E. 10th St.
Monroe County NOW’s next Dine and Donate will be at the Hive. Dine anytime between 4 and 9pm and mention the Dine and Donate (or print or show the cashier this information from your mobile device) and Monroe County NOW will receive 20% of your receipts on orders.
The Contact Your Reps Party will be from 5-7pm; postcards, scripts, and postage provided.
Sunday, July 28, 2019, 3-5 pm
Monroe County NOW July Chapter Meeting and Potluck Picnic
Southeast YMCA, 2125 S. Highland Ave.
Join Monroe County NOW for their next chapter meeting at the Southeast Monroe County YMCA! They will have a potluck and have board, members, and friends present to socialize. If you're not currently a member, you will have the opportunity to become one. NOW will meet at the shelter by the lower playground. This event is accessible and open to all. Bring a food or beverage item to share! Let them know what you're bringing by filling out this Google sheet.
Sunday, July 28, 2019, 2-4 pm
2019 Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana (SD-SCI) General Meeting
MCDP Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St.
Be part of this community conversation to help the Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana establish their initial priorities and goals for the near future! We need everyone's voice at the table to make informed choices about where to focus our attention at the local and state levels for the coming months. We hope to see you there! Questions can be sent to [email protected].
August 22-24, 2019
Annual Indiana Democratic Editorial Association (IDEA) Convention in French Lick
French Lick Resort, 8670 West Road 56
For a full list of all the events happening at this year’s IDEA visit: http://www.indems.org/annual-idea-convention-in-french-lick/
Saturday September 8, 2019, 4-7pm
5th Annual Hamilton Family Picnic
Bryan Park
ACTION ITEM(s):
Please chime in on the future plans of the DWC. Let us know where we've done well and what we should do better. Send your ideas to [email protected] at any time.
There are 29 members of Congress who were born outside of the United States, 24 representatives and 5 senators, 25 democrats and 4 republicans. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao was born in Taiwan and Melania Trump was born in Slovenia. Yet this week the president aimed a series of xenophobic tweets at 4 members of congress, saying that they should “… go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” Although he didn’t mention them by name, it is understood that he was referring to four progressive congresswomen of color, only one of whom was actually on that list. This is an administration that has done much to destabilize the world and contribute to both the reason that much of the world, including the US, is broken and crime infested and that people are fleeing their homelands. Call your Senators and Representatives about the President's racist tweets about four women of color in Congress; tell them that it’s time to fight xenophobia in our government and to make the U.S. a leader in fighting for the rights of all people around the world.
In light of current events, this week we highlight a few organizations that work to help better the lives of women, people of color and lgbtq citizens; let us know about other organizations that deserve our support:
The Planned Parenthood Action Fund - https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/
defends sexual and reproductive health care and rights.
She the People - https://www.shethepeople.org/
She the People elevates the political voice and leadership of women of color as part of a new progressive political and cultural era.
Transgender Law Center - https://transgenderlawcenter.org/
TLC does what it takes to keep transgender people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation
NCADV - http://ncadv.org/
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence focuses on affecting public policy, increasing understanding of the impact of domestic violence, and providing programs and education that drive that change;
RAINN - https://www.rainn.org/
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE, online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country
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/