“Hatred only breeds more hate and darkness in our heart
May we find compassion in a world so torn apart
A symphony of what could be says this is where we start.
We are not enemies there is no good in that
There are better angels that surround us all
And we’ll find a way through all our differences
Hear the better angels listen to their call.”
From “Better Angels” from the new Barbra Streisand album “Walls”
song written by Jay Landers, Jonas Myrin and Carole Bayer Sager
In the months leading up to the Nov. 6 Election and in the week or so since we have heard many calls for “civility”, “legality” and “compromise”… nice words, democratic words… The problem is that for many of the people who are promoting them “civility” means stifle your own voice so that ours can be heard, “legality” means following laws that are discriminatory and “compromise” means change your views so that you agree with us. This is true on both sides of the political spectrum… but it is by far more true on the right. If our nation is to survive, this is something that must be changed.
For our nation to be at it’s strongest, we need everyone to be engaged, we need all voices to be heard and respected. That doesn’t mean that we must all agree… it means that we must learn to disagree productively. It means moving away from politics based on fear of the other and towards policies that benefit everyone overall; from voting based on party to voting based on candidates and the issues; from directives based on “me” to decisions based on “me too.”
As Jill Long Thompson put it in a recent editorial in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:
“For our nation to be its strongest, we need everyone to be engaged. When children look at Congress today, they see both men and women leading. That can help them recognize their own potential, as well as the potential and strengths of others. The more we help children realize their potential, the greater the chance they will become productive, contributing members of a democratic society.”
and:
“Research shows that increased diversity, including gender diversity, can lead to better overall decision-making and leadership. Although people are generally more comfortable spending time with others who are like them, we are more likely to generate new ideas when we are part of a diverse group.”
When Congress convenes in January, one fourth of the members will be women and it will be a more diverse groups in regards to class, sex, race and gender identity. Sadly, the Ninth District will not be represented by a woman who I believe would have been a champion of the ideals put forth above, Indiana still has a long way to go towards achieving this goal. Yet, as we approach the end of this year let us give thanks for the progress we have made. The new year gives us all a chance to continue working towards a better future.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
City of Bloomington commission openings
Bloomington Arts Commission: The City of Bloomington Office of the City Clerk is accepting applications to fill a vacant position on the Bloomington Art Commission. The position is available for city residents.The Bloomington Arts Commission provides a means for the City of Bloomington to stimulate and encourage community appreciation for and participation in the arts. Sally Gaskill has offered to talk with any DWC member interested in the Arts Commission... you can reach her here.
Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women: The City of Bloomington Office of the City Clerk is accepting applications to fill a vacant position on the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women. The position is available for city residents.
The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women explores women's issues and concerns, celebrates women's accomplishments, and promotes solutions to the challenges and problems faced by women.
Bloomington Commission on Sustainability: The City of Bloomington Office of the City Clerk is accepting applications to fill a vacant position on the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability. The position is available for city residents. The City of Bloomington Commission on Sustainability (BCOS) promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity in our community for present and future generations. The commission gathers and disseminates information; promotes practical initiatives; and measures, monitors, and reports on our community's progress toward sustainability.
To learn more about these commissions, and each of the City’s boards and commissions, including mission statements, membership requirements, current membership listings and term lengths, or for online applications, use the feature OnBoard at bloomington.in.gov/onboard, or by clicking on the “OnBoard” button on the City’s home web page. All board and commission meetings are free and open to the public. Potential applicants are urged to attend a meeting of their desired board or commission prior to applying. Meeting schedules and locations can be found under the “committee info” tab on OnBoard. Information and applications are also available at the City Clerk’s Office in Showers City Hall at 401 N. Morton.
EVENTS:
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 11:30am to 1:00pm
Monroe County Democrats’ Club Luncheon Meeting
DeAngelo’s Restaurant in Eastland Plaza
The group will be honoring our local Democrats who ran in the recent election--and saying a special goodbye to Mark Fraley, Chairman of the Party. The public is invited to attend.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 12:30pm
Head to the Statehouse to Support Redistricting Reform
The Indiana Coalition for Redistricting Reform (All IN for Democracy) has issued a CALL OUT for a rally on Tuesday, November 20 at 12:30 pm in Indianapolis. Rally attendees should meet on the Capitol side of the Statehouse to participate in this event which coincides with Organization Day for the 2019 General Assembly. An Elbridge Gerry surrogate will be on hand and a small brass band will play music. The purpose of the event is to motivate, inspire and develop momentum for redistricting reform for this next legislative session. Lawmakers will briefly go into session at 1 p.m., so please plan to stay after the rally and meet up with your state representative and state senator and urge them to make redistricting reform a priority in 2019 as well as to let them know your other concerns. It’s imperative that there be a large turnout, showing our legislators how many Hoosiers care about redistricting reform. If you’re interested in car pooling, call Tomi Allison at 812-336-6671. Don’t let the gerrymander eat your vote!
Saturday, November 24, 2018 1:00pm to 2:30pm
A conversation with former Bloomington Mayor Tomilea Allison and husband, James, authors of "The Accidental Mayor.
Monroe County History Center (202 E. 6th Street)
With a record number of women running for local, state and national office in this year's elections, the History Center is exited to welcome political trailblazer and former mayor Tomi Alison along with James Allison her husband and co-author of "The Accidental Mayor" to speak at their monthly book club meeting at the History Center. More than two decades after Mayor Allison's time in office, it seems that many of the hot-topics fueling political debate within our community still ring true today...including concerns about our environment, balancing the need for growth and development with a need to preserve that which makes Bloomington unique and special, parking woes, social justice, and the list goes on!
This conversation is free and open to all members of our community who have read the book, or who are simply interested in learning more from and about mayor Allison and her contributions to our community - Plus, as an added bonus, anyone who joins us for this book club conversation will also receive complimentary admission to the museum including the new holiday exhibit. For more information or to RSVP (encouraged, but not required), please email Jennifer Borland: [email protected].
Thursday December 6, 2017 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Hoosier Women Speak 2.0 - Indiana Commision For Women
Monroe County Public Library, Room 1C, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Join the Indiana Commission for Women, the Monroe County Women's Commission and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County on December 6th at the Monroe County Public Library for a public Listening Session. Light refreshments will be provided.
Between June and December of 2018, the Indiana Commission for Women (ICW) will be holding 13 regional and stakeholder listening sessions to identify key issues facing women, understand the critical needs that women and communities perceive as important, identify changes to key issues occurring between 2011 and 2018 and continue to build relationships with regional partners.
Full details at https://www.facebook.com/events/478095229367212/
Thursday December 6, 2017 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Monroe County NOW Legislative Session
Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton St.
Thursday December 13, 2017 6:00pm
Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus Monthly Meeting
Democracy Lab, 116 S. Madison St., Bloomington
Including biennial elections (postponed from the November meeting) for the offices of President, Vice President and Treasurer. Each member of record in good standing is entitled to vote with the exception of associate and honorary members. A member is considered to be in good standing immediately upon payment of membership dues. A member must be in good standing for a period of at least one year in order to be considered as a candidate for office.
ACTION ITEM(s):
1. December is the time to renew your DWC dues…. Dues are $20 for the year and you can renew online at https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership or bring your payment to the Breakfast on December 7 and give them to DWC Treasurer Vicky Sorenson or to any Steering Committee Member.
2. Speaking of the Steering Committee… consider adding your voice to the governance of the DWC. Up for election this year are the positions of Chair, Secretary and five at-large members. If you are interested or want to know more… please contact Amy Swain.
3. Work for gerrymandering reform in 2019. Fair elections and political decisions start with every voice being heard. Check out this new report from the Brennan Center on Redistricting and Competition that finds that states where one party in the legislature controls redistricting it results in less political competition. Sound familiar?
Attend the rally at the Statehouse tomorrow. If you can’t attend, call your representatives in the Indiana House and Senate. Sign the redistricting reform petition at http://www.allinfordemocracy.org.
A PDF of the petition, along with many other resources to help you promote redistricting reform, can be found at the League of Women Voters of Indiana Website. Use these resources. We must keep the pressure on the legislators. Share on Facebook and Twitter.
BECOME A DWC MEMBER: 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/