July 27, 2020
Dear Members,
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy while we continue battling covid-19. Last week, the LWVFRA held its first 2020 Board of Directors meeting (via Zoom, of course) and set the stage for a busy and productive year. Just a few highlights:
- The previous Board’s increase of annual dues to $60 was re-approved, amid a discussion of how to attract moderate income members for whom the increase might be a barrier to joining. If you have some ideas, please share them with me.
- For the second year, the LWVFRA will be a co-sponsor of the UMW Candidate Forum for the 1st Congressional District race between Rob Wittman and Qasim Rashid. The event will be offered via Zoom, date to be announced soon.
- Voter Service activities continue apace through the summer, with distribution of our Facts for Voters publication, Zoom presentations to students and library patrons and education to our members about absentee ballot security. Be on the lookout for the latter document in the next couple of weeks.
- Women’s Equality Day will be observed in September rather than August this year with a Zoom presentation. See below for more information.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Leagues at all three levels are starting work on shifting the culture of the League by developing and implementing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy. Please click on the LWVUS link for background information. As we begin to educate ourselves about becoming more thoughtful about racial inequity and inclusiveness in the League, I’ll be passing along to you various items for you to read.
Here’s one:
Complimentary Training Opportunity: The Equity Journey
Forty-three Leagues recently participated in a training program offered by Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. This same program is being offered to all at no cost until August 15. Learn more and sign up on Leaderoisty.
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IT’S TIME TO UPDATE YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION CERTIFICATION TRAINING
The League of Women Voters of Arlington is hosting a virtual, official VA Voter Registration Training session, conducted by Taylor Melton of the Virginia Dept of Elections, 6:30 PM, Wednesday, July 29. As you probably know, official training is required each year for those conducting voter registration.
Many voter registration laws were changed by the 2020 General Assembly – this session will explain these important changes. Even though our voter registration tools must change due to COVID 19, we must remain the leaders in encouraging those qualified to register.
Everyone interested in the League can sign up for this free training. All those who complete training will receive an emailed certificate from the State.
RSVP on Eventbrite to get the ZOOM link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voter-registration-training-2020-tickets-113363952634
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SHE VOTES! Podcast
July marks the 152th anniversary of the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention for women’s rights that began the long battle for suffrage. Lynn Sherr and Ellen Goodman are co-hosting a podcast called “She Votes!.” The first episode took place on July 22nd and seven more are scheduled.
The series is an audio documentary that digs into the complex history of the women’s suffrage movement with all its glory and shortcomings. It explores issues of gender and race, generational conflicts, power and politics.
There are a few ways to support the show — all completely free. Pick any or all:
- Listen and subscribe to She Votes! on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Sticher or anywhere else you find podcasts. If you prefer to listen online, subscribe to the email list https:/www.shevotespodcast.com and you will receive an email each week once each new episode is live
- Rate and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.
- Tell your friends.
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Online Presentation: “The Girls Who Brought the Walls Down and the Walls that Remain.”
August 15, 11:00 a.m -12:45 p.m.
LWV of South Hampton Roads (LWVSHR) member, Sharon McGlone, will share with us her experiences when she and six other African-American girls integrated the Spotsylvania County School District in 1963. This live online presentation, “The Girls Who Brought the Walls Down and the Walls that Remain,” is sponsored by the LWVSHR and is free and open to the public.
Sharon’s experience begins on the first day: “I had a different experience as a fourth-grader that year. Upon entering the classroom at Robert E. Lee Elementary School, a boy unleashed a racial epithet, saying his mother told him not to sit next to a n******. In a commanding voice, her teacher, a small statured woman, announced, “That word will never be used in this classroom again and she will sit where I tell her to sit.” I felt a great sense of relief and knew that she would protect me in that classroom.”
Sharon, a married mother of four, retired educator and new LWVSHR board member, reflects on this period of her life: “Remembering that period always resurrects feelings of loss, unrealistic expectations and rejection. I remind my nine-year old self that it’s o.k. to be me. I also accept that I am the change that I want to see in this world.”
Sharon will encourage conversation about the walls that still remain, even after school integration. To join in this important and timely discussion, RSVP to SHRLeague@gmail.com with the subject line: “Girls Who Brought The Walls Down” for login directions.
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SAVE THE DATE!
You may remember that the LWVFRA scheduled a luncheon and speaker in March to present a program about the history of women’s suffrage (and beyond) in Virginia. Like most other in-person events, it had to be cancelled due to covid-19.
I’m happy to report that our speaker, Scott Walker, local historian and director of Hallowed Ground Tours has agreed to reschedule his presentation to the League, via Zoom. The date is Saturday, September 26 at 1:30 p.m. He will have a slide show and answer our questions. There’s no charge for the event which is open to anyone who is interested, so feel free to spread the word.
Next month there will be an announcement on how to register, and we’ll distribute an online flyer to our media sources, other organizations, and Virginia local Leagues. All the credit goes to Board Members Marie Gozzi who organized the original event in March and Lucretia Edreos who arranged for Scott to address us in a new format. Mark your calendars and prepare to be enlightened!
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For the second time, voters must decide whether to change Virginia’s political redistricting process by voting for or against a constitutional amendment to establish an independent redistricting commission. The League has supported passage from the amendment’s initiation in 2018. In coalition with our partner, OneVirginia2021, we will be working to promote the amendment and urge voters to vote “yes on #1.”
The hard-fought battle has been undermined this year by the VA Democratic party leadership which is now opposing the amendment in favor of starting the process over from scratch. OneVirginia2021 has launched a new campaign, “Fair Maps VA” to promote passage of the amendment. If you like to help locally to write postcards, send text messages, talk to voters at polling sites in November. etc., contact League Member Fran Larkins at franlarkins40@gmail.com.
Also, don’t forget to register for Tuesday night’s webinar on Redistricting. All League members received an email notification but if you need me to forward mine to you, just let me know.
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The LWV-VA study committee on affordable housing will be asking League members this fall to reach consensus on a statewide affordable housing position. The position, once adopted by the LWV-VA Board, will be used for supporting or opposing state legislation.
Gerald Anderson, our Affordable Housing chair, has been a member of the LWV-VA study committee from its beginning, and will lead our local discussion. The Fredericksburg Area League will discuss the state study and the consensus questions in October or November, so be on the lookout for an announcement of the date.
For a copy of the study committee’s report go to:lwv-va.org/?s=Affordable+Housing+Study+Report
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Thanks to you all for being League members and as always, you can contact me with any questions, comments or concerns. Stay cool!
Diane S. Shea, President
League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area
shea.sullivan70@gmail.com
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