If you were on the computer at all in last week it was almost impossible to miss the words “Me Too” as you scrolled through your social media accounts. Looking through my friends accounts of all the ways that they have experienced sexual harassment and sexual assault in their lives made for some very sober reading. The “Me Too” campaign was started ten years ago by activist Tarana Burke with the aim of unifying those who’ve been victimized by sexual violence, particularly for women of color. Social media has made it easier to spread the word and share stories about a problem that has existed for time immemorial.
And there have been so many more attacks on women’s lives in the last months that one finds it hard to keep up. Attacks on reproductive rights, contraception, Planned Parenthood, the ACA, Social Security, Medicare, WIC, CHIP, Meals on Wheels and other social programs all affect, or will affect, women’s lives in many ways.
On the political scene Congresswoman Frederica Wilson was the latest victim of a smear campaign by various members of the Trump administration. In general we have watched as democratic and progressive politicians, and women politicians in particular, have been maligned and denigrated for doing their jobs, stating the truth, standing up for all their constituents and supporting programs that make all of our lives better.
It has been heartening to see the resistance movement grow. Locally, canvassers for the “Your Voice Matters” campaign report that citizens are engaged and want better than they are getting. On the national front, the upcoming election in Virginia is the next big battleground. We must find ways to continue the momentum and the gains in state and local legislatures that we have seen over the past few months. We also need to find ways to support each other, minimize the effects of the damage that has already been done and keep the fight going strong. We welcome your thoughts, ideas and voices as we head towards 2018.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Item
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Elections:
In December the DWC will hold elections for Secretary and Vice Chair, and 5 at-large seats on the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee oversees the business of the organization, plans Breakfasts meetings and other DWC events and holds the group to our mission. The Steering Committee currently meets on the third Saturday of each month at 10am. If you are interested in adding your voice to the Steering Committee, please email Amy Swain at [email protected] or talk to any steering committee member. Make sure your membership is up to date as members only will be voting on this issue.
Endorsement Committee:
The DWC Endorsement Committee helps to set the DWC Endorsement Policies, develops questions and interview candidates and presents the DWC membership with recommendations for candidates for endorsement in both the primary and general elections. This is a very important committee that is made up of women from the steering committee and the general membership. If you are interested please email Amy Swain at [email protected] or speak with any steering committee member.
EVENTS:
Indivisible Facebook Live: Updates on the Affordable Care Act
TONIGHT! Monday October 23th, 8:30 PM
Tune into Indivisible's Facebook Live TONIGHT, October 23 at 8:30pm ET and #stopthesabotage. We’ll discuss Trump’s latest attempts to sabotage and undermine the Affordable Care Act and how you can fight back. Like us on Facebook now and you’ll get a notification when we go live!
Indivisible Bloomington and 9th leadership committee meeting
Tuesday October 24th; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Democracy Lab, 116 S. Madison (use the southside door)
These meetings are open to everyone interested in Indivisible's work. Prominent on the agenda will be planning for a November "Halfway There!" party to celebrate our progress towards the 2018 midterm elections.
Get Some Pizza with Liz Watson
Wednesday, October 25, 10:00am - 11:00 p.m.
Get Some Pizza, 211 N. Walnut, Bloomington, IN
Stop by Get Some Pizza on Wednesday, October 25 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 11:00 PM in Bloomington. This is a perfect way for you to grab a hot slice of pizza, something to drink, and even make donate to a great cause. Pizza & Liz — what more could a person ask for? Hope to see you there! #RunWithLiz #WatsonWorks #FlipIN09
More information here:
4th Thursday “Do Something” at the Atlas Ballroom
Thursday, October 26, 8:00pm - 10:00 p.m.
Atlas Ballroom 209 S. College Ave., Bloomington, IN
There is a lot that feels scary right now and not in the fun Halloween way. There are a lot of actions available and participating in making a democracy makes us feel a little better, as does remembering we're part of a community. So every fourth Thursday of the month will be a Do Something Thursday. This Thursday is the Political Process edition with a write your representative area (we provide the card and postage for you to annoy your rep on whatever matters to you), a voter registration (so you're good to go in plenty of time and can easily get to your polling place), AND the very cool opportunity to Meet the Candidate challenging Trey Hollingsworth for 9th District in 2018.
Liz Watson will be there to meet and talk.
Local booze and beer will be on special, and if you come in a sweet costume you could end up with some Lizswag and prizes.
Information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1744171199225755??ti=ia
Reproductive Rights Rally hosted by IU Dems
Wednesday, October 25, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Dunn Meadow
IU Dems will be hosting a rally surrounding issues of reproductive rights and access to reproductive health care for everyone.
Speakers will include representatives from the following groups:
RAISE
All Options Pregnancy Resource Center
Law Students for Reproductive Justice
ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America)
I Am That Girl
more information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/353310418440818/
Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus Callout
Wednesday, October 25, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Monroe County Public Library, Room 2A
Please join us for the first meeting of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus-9th District (INLDC9)! We will be updating interested parties and establishing founding members, among other activities. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Your Voice Matters Canvass
October 28, 11:00 a.m. and noon
Meet at MCDP Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St., Bloomington
Help reach out to members of our community to ask “What do you want from your government?” We’ll go door to door to lend an ear to voters who want to express concerns about local, state, and national issues. Volunteers will first be trained on how to engage with voters, get a walk packet, and then return to debrief. You do not have to have canvassing experience to attend. If you are new to canvassing, you will be paired up with an experienced canvasser. If you have questions or would like to sign up to help, contact Matthew Metz or Jack McGrew or visit the MCDP Facebook page. We will also being holding canvasses on the following Saturdays: November 4, 11, and 18 and December 2 and 9.
NOW Reproductive Justice Committee October Book Club
Sunday, October 29, 4:00 to 5:45pm
Monroe County Public Library, Room 2A
This month's book is About Abortion: Terminating Pregnancy in 21st Century America by Carol Sanger.
Sanger is one of the panelists speaking immediately following the screening of Jackson on November 5.
The Reproductive Justice Committee will be collecting diapers at this event in support of the All Options Diaper Drive.
Even if you cannot attend the book club, we encourage you to make a donation of diapers or money to All Options on behalf of Monroe County NOW.
Jackson Screening
Sunday, November 5, 3:00 p.m.
Waldron Art Center's Whikehart Auditorium, Bloomington
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington's Reproductive Justice Task Force and Monroe County National Organization for Women are co-sponsoring a screening of the film Jackson followed by panel discussion at Waldron's Whikehart Auditorium. Carol McCord, Interim Director of Indiana University Advocates Office will moderate the panel consisting of IU Medical Student Josh Vollmer; Indiana State Senator Jean Breaux; and Columbia Law School Professor Carol Sanger, author of About Abortion: Terminating Pregnancy in 21st Century.
Tickets are $20 in advance and may be purchased at Yarns Unlimited or by emailing [email protected]. Tickets are $25 at the door.
All proceeds benefit Common Cause Indiana in their fight to end gerrymandering.
Check the trailer out at: http://www.jacksonthefilm.com/
Seats are limited, so reserve yours in advance!
Monroe County Democratic Dinner
November 9, The Fields, 1333 S Fenbrook
There will be a cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m. followed by the dinner at 7:00 p.m.
This is your best opportunity to support the MCDP and spend an evening celebrating the party.
General Admission Tickets:
• Cocktail hour only: $20
• Student Dinner: $40
• General Dinner: $70
You can purchase your ticket and sponsorship through ActBlue.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 1st.
All proceeds from this event go toward building grassroots political infrastructure, and your generous support helps build Democratic momentum.
For sponsorship information email: [email protected].
ACTION ITEMS:
“Denying access to contraception is denying women access to health care.”
Representative Judy Chu
On October 6th Donald Trump penned another anti-woman Executive Order, allowing employers and insurers to take away coverage for birth control. The National Women’s Law Center broke down what these new rules allow:
• Allow any employer to deny its employees contraceptive coverage based on religious objections. They also allow universities to deny this coverage to their students.
• Allow some employers and universities to deny its employees and students contraceptive coverage based on moral objections.
• Allow insurance companies that object to covering birth control to refuse to cover it, leaving employers that are required to include it in employee insurance scrambling to find a new plan.
• Allow any individual to request from their employer an insurance plan that excludes coverage of birth control. The employer is not obligated to provide such coverage.
Thankfully, The Democratic Women’s Working Group (DWWG), comprised of all of the Democratic women in the House of Representatives, are totally on it.
On October 19th, four women House Democrats (Diana DeGette D-CO, Louise Slaughter D-NY, Judy Chu D-CA, Lois Frankel D-FL) introduced the Protect Access to Birth Control Act, which would override Trump’s Executive Order and require employers to continue to provide access to birth control.
All-of-us must prevent Trump’s latest attack on women’s rights and support the Protect Access to Birth Control Act.
Here’s how:
Call your Representative and ask her/him to support the Protect Access to Birth Control Act.
Rep. Trey Hollingworth - (202) 225-5315 (D.C. Office)
or (812) 288-3999 (Jeffersonville Office) or 371-851-8710 (Greenwood Office)
Join the DWC. Renew your membership today.
The DWC is dedicated #1 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/