In his introduction at the MCDP Training this past weekend, past-chair Mark Fraley stated that candidates run for office because they would like to make a measurable improvement or positive change in the lives of their constituents and have a plan to do so. I think we have a great crop of candidates for the municipal elections here in Monroe County, but I wouldn’t necessarily say that that sentiment winds it’s way up the legislative tree to the many of the elected officials at the Indiana State House or on the National political front these days….
Did you see Stacy Abrams give the Democratic response to the State Of The Union Address? It showed why she would have made a great Governor of Georgia and perhaps will make the next great Senator from that state or be considered for the Vice Presidential short list in 2020.
Stacy spoke about the things that affect the lives of all citizens (and non-citizens of this country) and she addressed issues that were not mentioned in the actual State of the Union Address. She talked about the shutdown and it’s effect on government workers, she spoke about education, gun safety laws, health care, civil rights and voter suppression. She talked about coming together as a nation – “In this time of division and crisis, we must come together and stand for, and with, one another” to make a stronger America.
She spoke about her working class up bringing and an America where people and government work to do things for each other: “My family understood firsthand that while success is not guaranteed, we live in a nation where opportunity is possible,” she said. “But we do not succeed alone — in these United States, when times are tough, we can persevere because our friends and neighbors will come for us. Our first responders will come for us.”
She spoke about themes that conservatives used to appreciate and value, but now mock Democrats for… dismissing them as socialist tropes instead of the foundation for a strong social Democracy. These were our family values she said: “faith, service, education & responsibility,”
When a small percentage of the members of one religious faith seek to impose their values to control the lives of the rest of citizens, regardless of their personal faiths, when prisoners are routinely given access to a Christian minister but a Muslim prisoner who is about to die is denied the solace of a visit from his Imam – we lose our soul.
When education is mocked as being elitist, where research is curtailed and information is suppressed to benefit the lives of a select few, where knowledge is no longer appreciated for itself alone – we lose the ability to think.
When service and volunteerism are replaced by self centered greed, when a nation has surrendered it’s commitment to social and economic justice for all, when the privileged few are held up as being somehow deserving while the less fortunate are considered losers and parasites – we lose our humanity.
And when no one is willing to be held to be responsible – we lose our moral compass and our ability to lead.
From the local level to the Presidency we can be better citizens and politicians by working at it every day….
To that effect I leave you with this week with some words that were written by one of my favorite Facebook philosophers - Linda Oblack – she wrote “I have great hope that we've turned a page on that history, and we're entering an era of inclusion and recognition of the value of all folks. Gender, skin color, and sexual orientation aside, we all have value. And no wall, or ban, or strongly held religious belief, or abuse of power will turn the clock back now. It's just beginning to truly look like we're entering the 21st Century. There seems to be a fraction of our population (about 1/3) who can't be dragged, kicking or screaming into the future. Nevertheless, the future will come.
Never stop learning. Never believe you know enough. Never stop reading and gathering knowledge. Be curious about what you weren't taught. Then question why you weren't. We all have to have each other's back. Our future depends on it.”
I hope she’s right.
And if you haven’t seen Stacy Abrams speech, check it out here.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Announcements
Events
Action Items

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Review the 2019 Primary Ballot at Election Central, 401 W. 7th St., Bloomington
February 27, 2019, will be a day to come to Election Central and see the new ballot for the Primary Election. This is open to the public and is highly encouraged for ALL candidates running for an office to see their name on ballot. Any misspellings or any other error can easily be corrected at this point so it is HIGHLY important to check the ballot out.

Information for Candidates on CATS Forums & "Candidates on Demand" Program
Michael White GM of CATS reports that he will have his crew at as many forums as possible during the primary season. However, he reports that the CATS Candidates on Demand program which tapes and airs candidates statements will only happen during the run up to the General Election due to time and staffing issues.

Info on the Redistricting Standards Bill from the League of Women Voters
Although SB105, the redistricting standards bill passed the Senate Elections Committee by a 5-2 vote on Monday, February 4th it's been sitting on 2nd reading for more than a week. There are a a couple of reasons for the bill getting stuck. One is positive but the other puts the bill in the jeopardy - so your action is needed.
The good reason the bill hasn't moved is that the sponsor, Senator Greg Walker, is still contemplating language for an amendment to improve transparency and public access to redistricting data and mapping software. This amendment has to be added on 2nd reading and we are working with Senator Walker to craft language he is comfortable with.
But, as the bill hangs around without action, it allows our opponents to come up with additional reasons to criticize the bill. The All IN for Democracy lobbying team has been busy talking to Senate members this week and we've gotten more pushback this year than last. We also know that in some areas of the state Republican party officials are urging their legislators to vote NO on SB105. So, this means we really need to step up our grassroots pressure. If you haven't contacted your Senator yet, please do so today. And, if you have sent your legislator a message, we need you to enlist your friends and family in the campaign. Please share this link to your social media and email contacts and encourage them to send a message to their state senator: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-the-indiana-senate-support-strong-redistricting-reform/?

Mary Goetze Named Woman of the Year
Longtime Bloomington resident and retired music professor Mary Goetze has been named 2019 Woman of the Year. Goetze is being recognized for her efforts to enrich the lives of the incarcerated in Monroe County and support their families.
Goetze’s award is one of several to be made during this year’s observance of Women’s History Month in Bloomington. Royale Hair Parlor owner Bridgett DiVohl has been selected to receive the Emerging Leader Award, and the women volunteers of the Community Justice and Mediation Center (CJAM) will receive the Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution Award. The recipients were selected by members of the Woman of the Year Subcommittee of the City of Bloomington’s Commission on the Status of Women.
Goetze and the CJAM volunteers will be honored at the Women's History Month luncheon, Wednesday, March 20 at the Monroe Convention Center. Tickets for the Lunch are available at the Buskirk Chumley Theater Box Office and online at https://bctboxoffice.org/event/2019-womens-history-month-lunch/
DiVohl will be honored at the Women’s Leadership Development event, Saturday, March 30 in Council Chambers at City Hall.
More information about the events planned for Women's History Month, including the opportunity to buy tickets or reserve exhibition space at the history luncheon on March 20, is available at https://bloomington.in.gov/boards/status-of-women/womens-history-month. See also our Events section.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Returns to Work at Supreme Court
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg returned to the Supreme Court on Friday to participate in a private conference at which the justices considered adding cases to the court’s docket, a court spokeswoman said. It was Justice Ginsburg’s first appearance at the court since undergoing cancer surgery in December.
Among the cases under consideration at Friday’s conference were ones on whether the Trump administration may add a question on citizenship to the census and whether a federal law barring employment discrimination applies to gay men and lesbians.
Justice Ginsburg, 85, missed two weeks of arguments in January but participated in the cases by reading briefs and transcripts. She is expected to be on the bench on Tuesday when the court returns from its four-week midwinter break.
Justice Ginsburg has suffered a number of health setbacks over the years but had never before missed an argument in her 25 years on the court.

EVENTS:

Monday, February 18, 2019, 6:00pm
Indiana Democratic Party Monday Webinar Series for Candidates, Volunteers & Party Staff
Join Katie Doyle, municipal caucus director, on February 18 at 6 pm for a live webinar to discuss fundraising tips and best practices.
To register: https://myaccount.maestroconference.com/conference/register/EHCUZ085UGU10YOB

Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 11:30am to 1:00pm
Monroe County Democrats’ Club Luncheon Meeting
DeAngelo’s Restaurant in Eastland Plaza
This month’s speaker is Marjorie Hershey who will talk about the new Democratic Congress.
The public is invited to attend.

Thursday, February 21, 2019, 5:00pm
Amanda Barge For Mayor Campaign Headquarters Official Opening
Victoria Towers, 221 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington
Join this incredible group of women for the Official Opening of our space!
Get a sign, a t-shirt, sign up to volunteer—appetizers and drinks will be provided!

Thursday, February 21, 2019, 7:00pm
State Of The City Address
Buskirk Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington
This annual event is a chance for the community to connect in reflection on the City's progress in light of its role as a force for good in the nation and the world.

Wednesday, February 27, 2019, 9:00am to 3:00pm
Primary Ballot Review Day
Election Central, 401 W. 7th St., Bloomington
February 27, 2019, will be a day to come to Election Central and see the new ballot for the Primary Election. This is open to the public and it is highly encouraged for ALL candidates running for an office to see their name on ballot. Any misspellings or other errors can easily be corrected at this point so it is HIGHLY important to check the ballot out.

Thursday, February 28, 6:30-8:30pm and Sunday, March 3, 2019, 3:00-5:00pm
Sue Sgambelluri For City Council Meet Your Candidate House Party, Idea Forum and Fundraiser
The February 28 event is hosted by Jocelyn Bowie and David Semmel and the March 3 event will be hosted by Tony & Julia Armstrong
Share ideas and hear more about Sue's priorities for our city. Enjoy the conversation! Contributions of all sizes are welcome and appreciated!
Visit https://www.facebook.com/SueForCityCouncil/ or www.SueForCityCouncil.com for locations and more information.

Friday March 1, 2019 7:30am - 9:00am
Democratic Women’s Caucus Monthly Breakfast
Village Deli

Saturday March, 2, 2019, 9:30-11:00am
League of Women Voters Legislative Update
Bloomington City Council Chambers, City Hall, Showers Complex
The public is invited to the second League of Women Voters Legislative Update of 2019.
State legislators representing Monroe County will discuss the ongoing Indiana General Assembly “long” session. Audience questions and concerns will follow the legislators' remarks.
The event will be taped by Cable Access Television Services through the Monroe County Public Library and will be replayed by CATS throughout the current legislative session.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 11:15am to 1:30pm
Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon
Monroe County Convention Center, 302 S. College Ave., Bloomington
Hosted by the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women and the Community and Family Resources Department
the 34th annual Women's History Month Luncheon. The theme of the luncheon is "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence." Joyce Ajlouny will be the keynote speaker. Joyce serves as the General Secretary, the executive head, of the American Friends Service Committee, where she is responsible for the organization's worldwide peace and social justice programs and advocacy.

Thursday, March 21, 2019, 6:00pm
MCDP FDR Gala
Fountain Square Ballroom, Bloomington
Save the date for the annual FDR Gala held to celebrate Democratic candidates and the values for which the Party fights! More details to come!

Saturday, March 30, 2019 10:00am - Noon
Women’s Leadership Development Event: Women. Power. Progress
City Hall Council Chambers
The annual Women's Leadership Development Event including keynote speakers, panel discussions, Leadership Scholarship recipients and the 2019 Emerging Leader Award winner.
This FREE event aims to help girls and women develop leadership skills they can use to improve the Bloomington community.

ACTION ITEM(s):

Volunteer to help a female candidate of your choice during this election. The sooner the better! If a candidate doesn't yet have a website with contact information, please email [email protected] and we will find that information for you!

Keep an eye out on the goings on at the State House - there are bills on redistricting, abortion, education, guns, and much more making their way or not making their way through the legislative session - attend the League of Women Voters Legislative Sessions, follow the bills on the State House website, keep informed and call your representatives to let them know what you think!

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/