MARGINALIZATION AND THE POLITICAL GLASS CEILING

"The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, "It's a girl.'”          -Shirley Chisholm

Hillary Clinton has been criticized repeatedly over the years for aspects of her appearance -- her hair styles and pantsuits, for example.  Recently a male interviewer commented, “I’ve never interviewed a Presidential candidate with nail polish before.” Have you ever heard an interviewer comment on a male candidate’s clothing or grooming? And this stuff is not limited to the national stage. Maybe you’ve heard about the male congressional candidate who introduced himself to the Monroe County Central Committee meeting by saying, “I don’t look as good in heels as Shelli Yoder.” 

Well, people, it’s abundantly clear we’re not over the hump yet, and it’s not just about appearance.  This just in from Austin, Texas, which seated its new city council in January.  For the first time, the council has a female majority--seven of ten members. This exciting development convinced the Austin city manager's office that staff members who regularly interact with the council needed special training to deal with the change, so they hired a male former city manager from a town in Florida to conduct a two-hour training entitled “Women Leading in Local Government.”

Women don’t read the research they’re given, they just ask more questions, contended Jonathan K. Allen, the trainer.  It seems he bases this on all the questions his daughter peppers him with, and concludes we all just have to respond patiently--as you do with an 11-year old. Allen also said women don’t want numbers and financial information. They just want to know how things impact the community. Wow. So assessing community impact is a bad thing.  Who knew?   

The assistant city manager who arranged the training was suspended.

Read the Austin Statesman article at http://cityhall.blog.statesman.com/2015/05/12/as-women-take-majority-on-austin-city-council-staff-warned-to-expect-more-questions-longer-talks/ 
It includes video of some of the actual training.  See for yourself. 

For more statements on this issue see: http://www.statesman.com/flist/news/local/complete-coverage-austin-city-council-training-wom/fxF/

It’s beyond time to stop stereotyping women and their leadership styles.  And it’s time to live in a world where this type of news is no longer news.

MORE IN THIS ISSUE:

Boards and Commissions Openings
Emerging Leaders Project
Summer Volunteers for Planned Parenthood
Girls Inc. Board of Directors Opening
Calendar -
   City-County Residents Meeting
   Webinar: Running From Office
   Hillary for Indiana Grassroots Organizing Meeting
  Bernie Sanders for President Organizing Meeting
  Monroe County Democrats' Club Meeting
  Rock Lotto
Invite a Friend to Join the DWC
Cartoon of the Week
Call to Action

ELECTION DAY RESULTS
It was victories on May 5th for almost all of our endorsed candidates in the primary election!! Isabel Piedmont-Smith (City Council District 5) and Allison Chopra (City Council District 3) ran in contested races and won, and Dorothy Granger (City Council District 2) and Nicole Bolden (Clerk) were unopposed in their races.  Philippa Guthrie lost a close race against incumbent Dave Rollo in District 4 (by 85 votes).  Great job by all candidates, and many thanks to DWC members who lent their support to these women as they campaigned and all the way through Election Day.  It was another proud day for the DWC and yet more evidence of the effectiveness of our mission. 

IN THIS ISSUE:

Learning and Training Opportunities
Summer Volunteers for Planned Parenthood
Calendar -
   Hillary for Indiana Grassroots Organizing Meeting
   Monroe County Democrats' Club Meeting
   Rock Lotto
   Boards and Commission openings
Invite a Friend to Join the DWC
Call to Action

ELECTION DAY IS HERE!!

Isabel Piedmont-Smith, Allison Chopra, Philippa Guthrie, our endorsed candidates in this primary election, will need your help on Tuesday - May 5th ELECTION DAY! 

Please contact them to see how you can put one or two hours of your time to work for electing women to represent you.  Contact them early today to determine how you can help.

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

AND don't forget --Dorothy Granger and Nicole Bolden are unopposed in this election, but would still appreciate your support and good wishes, especially going forward into the general election.

IN THIS ISSUE:

ELECTION DAY IS HERE!

Breakfast Recap

Other local training opportunities   

Government   

Political

National opportunities

CALENDAR -

Election Day at the Party HQ

Rock Lotto

Boards and Commission openings

Women on 20s

Invite a friend to join the DWC

Call to action

IN THIS ISSUE:
Isabel Piedmont-Smith campaign asks for Election Day help
2015 Citizens' Academy Class
Upcoming Events
ROCK LOTTO - Fundraiser for Sophia Travis Memorial Fund
Invite a friend to join the DWC
Call to Action

Allison Chopra is inviting you to breakfast!

1024 Graywell Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401 

Saturday, April 25^th 8am – 11am --  Drop by anytime!

IN THIS ISSUE:
Help Needed - Election Day, Communications Committee
Let's Help Our Endorsed Candidates
Upcoming Events
ROCK LOTTO - Fundraiser for Sophia Travis Memorial Fund
Legislative News
You can join the DWC at any time
Cartoon of the Week
Call to Action

DWC POLTICAL KARAOKE NIGHT AT PLAYER'S PUB A SUCCESS!

The DWC Karaoke Night at Player's Pub on Sunday, April 12 was a rollicking good time.  Who knew so many of our political officials and candidates could sing (and move!) so well! 

 A lively audience cheered on elected officials, candidates and friends who performed, and everyone voted for the best performance.  THE WINNER TOOK HOME THIS COOL TROPHY...AND THAT WINNER WAS...DRUM ROLL...

JOHN HAMILTON...WHO ACTUALLY CAN SING...WELL!  

Featured Singers included: 
Allison Chopra--These Boots are Made for Walking (helpers walked all over a picture of a certain Governor)
Dorothy Granger--Incredible Stevie Nicks duet, including blonde wig
Philippa Guthrie and Sally Gaskill--Heat Wave, with boas
John Hamilton--Camelot, then Summer Nights with Shelly Yoder
Darryl Neher--I Wanna be Sedated
Party Chair Mark Fraley--Stellar performances of TWO songs we can't recall (the beer and wine were flowing)
Shelli Yoder--Lady Gaga song wearing appropriate Gaga-ish attire
Several other non-officials/non-candidates with amazing Karaoke flair and unselfish senses of fun

A HUGE thanks to everyone who came out to support the DWC and our gutsy performers, and a special thanks to everyone who was willing to get up on stage!!

IN THIS ISSUE:

Endorsed Candidates Need Your Help!
DFMC Meeting and Endorsements
One Dollar One Vote: Will Democracy Survive Citizens United?
MCDP and Monroe County Democrats' Club Forums for Primary Candidates 
The Empowerment Project
Help Continue the Work of the DWC

DWC First Ever Political Karaoke Night at Player's Pub Sunday, April 12, 6-9 p.m.

For Fun and for FUNDS! How about a “Supreme” performance by County Council Women Cheryl Munson, Shelli Yoder, Lee Jones?   Have you ever heard a mayoral candidate sing for their supper? Do you know what talent lurks in the chairs of the city council members?

This is most likely the first ever political Karaoke contest with your favorite candidates singing their way into your heart!  Be prepared to cheer on your favorite candidate and VOTE for the best performance! WINNER WILL TAKE HOME A COOL TROPHY! 

Tickets will be available for $10 at the door, online at our website, or from a DWC steering committee member. Your $10 donation gets you 10 free chits to use to vote for your favorite performer.
(Additional chits will be available at the event for purchase at $1.00 each.)
AND, unlike a real election, you can vote more than once!
Come out, have fun, have dinner from the Pub’s menu, listen to some ~interesting~ performances, and support candidates!!  If you want to sing, please email Amanda Barge at [email protected]

Featured Singers who have signed up to date:
Allison Chopra
Dorothy Granger
Philippa Guthrie
John Hamilton
Darryl Neher
Regina and Don Moore
Democratic Party Chair Mark Fraley
That “Supreme” Girl’s Group mentioned above!
And remember: Singing releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in the brain!! It’s good for you!

IN THIS ISSUE:
Endorsements Bring Funds (Our Endorsements)
Endorsed Candidates Need Your Help!
DFMC Meeting and Endorsements
Panel Discussion - McCutcheon v. FEC case
One Dollar One Vote: Will Democracy Survive Citizens United?
MCDP Forum for Primary Candidates 
Help Continue the Work of the DWC

BREAKFAST THIS FRIDAY

Friday, April 3, 7:30 am, we’re back at Rachel’s Café, 330 E 3rd Street. Please join us for a MOST informative session!

Our very special guest is Jane Henegar, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana and relative of at least THREE former or present elected officials in Monroe County (Warren Henegar, Alice Henegar Eads and Lillian Henegar). Jane is perfectly situated to relay to us the timing and intent of the latest “protection of freedom” bestowed upon Hoosiers by the state legislature.

Jane Henegar has taught political science at Butler University and has led the Indiana Bar Foundation’s Project Citizen to teach civics to K-12 students in Indiana. She served as interim director of the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention following her service as Indianapolis deputy mayor from 2000 to 2006. Henegar has held various positions in government, including State Director in the office of Senator Evan Bayh, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel in the Indiana Department of Administration, executive posts at the Family and Social Services Administration and judicial law clerk for the Honorable Thomas Reavley, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Born and raised in Bloomington, she is a 1984 graduate of Bryn Mawr College and earned her law degree in 1988 from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington.

Save the date - Sunday, April 12:
DWC First Ever Political Karaoke Night at Player's Pub

Our annual DWC Spring fundraiser!!! We’re SURE it will be the first ever political Karaoke contest with your favorite candidates singing their way into your hearts and minds. Come prepared to cheer on your favorite candidate and VOTE for the best performance! Winner will take home a cool trophy. Tickets will be available for $10 at the door, online at our website, or from a DWC steering committee member. Your $10 donation gets you 10 free chits to use to vote for your favorite performer.  (Additional chits will be available at the event for purchase at $1.00 each.) Please feel free to vote more than once!

Come out, have fun, have dinner, listen to some ~interesting~ performances, and support candidates!!

IN THIS ISSUE:

EVENTS THIS WEEK - Every day is a POLITICAL day!
Monday - Forum (MCPL)
Tuesday - Forum (City Hall)
Wednesday - WILPF Event  - "Charlotte Perkins Gilman to Jane Adams: Perils of Peace"
Thursday - FDR Gala
Friday - DWC BREAKFAST
Saturday - LWV Legislative Forum

CANDIDATE NEWS
Isabel Piedmont-Smith seeking volunteers
Nicole Bolden campaign seeks help
Women on $20 Bill!

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Applicants sought for Monroe County Women's Commission
Applicants sought for City Boards and Commissions
Action Item! - From our Friday Breakfast Speaker, Jane Henegar

MORE!
All Endorsed Candidates
You and the DWC!

Report from IFDW Conference

The Indiana Federation of Democratic Women held its annual conference in conjunction with the National Federation of Democratic Women regional conference this weekend in Indianapolis. Hosted at the UAW Region 2-B meeting hall, the meeting included workshops on field organizing, fundraising, and recruiting women candidates. Indiana Democratic Party chair John Zody and vice chair Cordelia Lewis-Burks gave opening remarks, and then we heard from NFDW regional director Debi Thompson (Oklahoma) as well as representatives from Michigan and Missouri.