The issue of rape is once again all over the news. Why? The November 19th Rolling Stone story titled "A Rape on Campus," alleging a September 2012 gang-rape of a then-freshman student at the University of Virginia named Jackie. Since the story came out, Rolling Stone has admitted that its reporter did not do sufficient due diligence, specifically, she failed to check the facts provided by Jackie. The unfortunate result is that one woman's story, whether it was wholly or partially fabricated, whether she had been so traumatized she couldn't accurately recall the facts, or whether there is some other explanation altogether, will now be used to discredit the stories of others. Rape is an issue fraught with terrible difficulties, for women, for men, and for the institutions and individuals responsible for sorting out the facts and the consequences. Let's start by asking our press to do its job and try and get it right. Please.
In this issue:
Second Open House Session for Potential Candidates
Caucus to Elect MCDP Chair and Treasurer
News/Action Item: Girl Scouts Report on The State of Girls
Commission on the Status of Women Seeks Nominations
Time to Renew Your DWC Membership
Second Open House For Potential Candidates The DWC will host a second open house for potential 2015 and 2016 candidates and their prospective campaign leaders on Thursday, January 16th, 6:00-8:00 pm again at the Democratic Headquarters. Any women who think they might be interested in running for office should attend to learn more about the process, receive encouragement and early support, and ask questions of experienced, progressive Democratic women. The mayor's office and the clerk's office are up for grabs this year, and who knows whether all the City Council incumbents will run again. So please consider a run for city government and come to this valuable workshop. We hope to see you there!
Caucus to elect MCDP Chair and Treasurer
Monday, January 5th, 5:30pm
Bloomington City Hall - Council Chambers
Eligible electors for the two leadership positions will receive a call to caucus in the upcoming days, but all Democrats are invited to attend the caucus. Interested, energetic and motivated candidates may direct a communication of intention to serve as chair or treasurer to Efrat Feferman, MCDP Secretary, no later than 5:30 p.m., Friday, January 2nd through [email protected]. To read the full announcement by our Chair, Trent Deckard, please click here .
To date Mark Fraley has indicated his intention to run for Chair and Todd Lare for Treasurer. Any interested Democratic women out there?
The State of Girls: State Level Data on Girls' Well-Being (2014)
From www.girlscouts.org
The State of Girls is a series of first-of-its-kind reports by the Girl Scout Research Institute that examine girls' health and well-being in the United States. The State of Girls: Thriving or Surviving? (2014) examines the well-being of girls ages 5 to 17 across each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state is ranked based on a state index of girls' well-being, which considers five indicators: physical health and safety, economic well-being, education, emotional health, and extracurricular / out-of-school time activities.
So how does Indiana stack up? Pretty miserably. Indiana ranks 36th out of 50 in the index. And the overall ranking doesn't tell the whole story by half. While we rank 29th in Economic Well-Being, 29th in Extracurricular Activities, and 31st in Education (and these rankings aren't good), Indiana ranks an alarming 44th in Physical Health and Safety and 44th in Emotional Health. Moreover, 20 percent of Hoosier girls are living in poverty, with that statistic rising to 42 percent for African-American/Black girls and 38 percent for Hispanic/Latina girls. Hoosiers should be thoroughly ashamed of data like this. The question for the DWC is how we can best get involved. We need to be part of issuing a call for action to Hoosier policy makers. Hoosier girls are our future, and they need our help.
Find the whole report at https://www.girlscouts.org/research/publications/stateofgirls/
Commission on the Status of Women Seeks Award Nominations
The DWC knows how many amazing women live in our community because we watch them in action every day. Let's nominate some spectacular, progressive women for the Woman of the Year, Emerging Leader and Lifetime Contribution Awards. The Woman of the Year recipients have improved the quality of life for other women through inspiration, community service or professional accomplishments beyond their normal job responsibilities. They also serve as role models for women and girls and have made outstanding contributions to the community. The Lifetime Contibution Award recognizes women who have significantly advanced the status of women through leadership and service. The Emerging Leader Award recognizes women with a history (five years or less) of significant achievements and the potential for future contributions.
Nomination forms are available in the Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department at 401 N. Morton St., Suite 260, or online at www.bloomington.in.gov/csw Send completed forms by email to [email protected] The deadline for submission is January 23, 2015.
Time to Renew Your DWC Membership!
It is time to renew your membership in the Democratic Women's Caucus for 2015. If you agree with our mission to fund, inspire, recruit, support, and train pro-choice, progressive Democratic women to run for office, then please join us, or renew your membership by completing the membership form and sending it with a check for $20 to DWC PAC, PO Box 2373, Bloomington, IN 47402. Or bring the form and check to our next meeting. Soon we will also have an online payment option. Thank you!