On Saturday we marked the winter solstice, the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In this season of holidays that celebrate keeping the light of hope burning in the darkness, we nurture our hopes for the renewal of American democracy, for the health of our planet, and for a more just and equitable society. So enjoy those latkes and eggnog--hopefully not in the same sitting!--and let's get ready to roll up our sleeves and elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:

**Are you creative, skilled at writing, a social media expert?? - THE DWC NEEDS YOU!!
We are looking for a few good women to join our Monday Morning News and Social Media Team to help keep our membership informed - if you can help - contact us at [email protected].

Your thoughts are always welcome: We welcome your thoughts on DWC events and issues….Please share your thoughts on this organization as we move forward, in our community and our state. For those brilliant ideas that come in the middle of the night! Email [email protected]

*****************************************

UPCOMING POLITICAL FUNDRAISERS:

We look forward to a lot of activity in this space as the 2020 election year rolls around!

*****************************************

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Indiana Democratic Party Seeking Deputy Data Director: IN DEMS is looking for a motivated Democrat to join the Indiana Democratic Party as Deputy Data Director.The Deputy Data Director will work under the supervision of the Data Director to support the organizing efforts of campaigns and county parties and help to improve the overall data competency of the party. 

For more position details and for how to apply, head over to https://www.indems.org/jobs/

The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial: On Aug. 26, 1920, Hoosier women won the right to vote. At first glance, the meaning behind that statement is simple. But the real story goes much deeper. In Indiana, almost seventy years passed between the first calls for women’s voting rights and the passage of the 19th Amendment. And, though momentous, 1920 is just one milestone in a long and ongoing journey, and access to the voting booth is just one part of what it means to be an equal part of the democratic process.
The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial, catalyzed by Indiana Humanities, the Indianapolis Propylaeum, the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau, working with many grassroots and local partners, marks the anniversary of the 19th Amendment. We invite Hoosiers to honor the ideas and ideals that fueled the suffrage movement in Indiana, and the people who led the way; to engage in a conversation about inclusion, equity, perseverance and power; to consider what remains to be done to ensure that our democracy truly includes everyone; and to identify and act on the lessons of the women’s suffrage movement.
The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission has issued a Call for Proposals to Indiana-based artists to create an original work of art to be displayed in the Indiana Statehouse to commemorate the 19th Amendment.
Read more: indianasuffrage100.org

A Tournament of Roses Parade Float Is Celebrating the 2020 Suffrage Centennial:The Nineteenth Amendment was officially approved by Congress on June 4, 1920 and the 100th anniversary year of women’s rights to vote will kick off in true suffrage style during the New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, Calif. next year.
During the “Power of Hope”-themed event, a float will announce the city’s celebration of the Votes for Women Centennial, offering “an exceptional and unprecedented opportunity to commemorate this political victory and to remember that this victory was won by a 72-year long struggle and campaign for the vote.” 
The float will feature a 30-foot Statue of Liberty, a symbol of enlightenment, holding the tablet of the 19th amendment and dressed in the suffrage sash. Riders on the float will include the “Bouquet of Suffrage Descendants”—descendants of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass and other key advocates.
The float will be covered in yellow roses, a symbol during the suffrage movement of support for Women’s Right to Vote, and 100 people will have the rare chance to march five miles down Colorado Boulevard as part of the event—”out-marchers” dressed in all-white wearing historic suffrage sashes.
With the 2020 election looming larger than ever, the float will act as “a symbol of inspiration and a reminder for all Americans to recognize the responsibility and the power to vote.”
To get involved by donating floral vials, click here. The outwalker group is full.

MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS: A great way to get involved and learn about how government works in Monroe County and Bloomington and to make a difference in your community:

CITY OF BLOOMINGTON B&Cs
The office of the City Clerk announces a vacant position on the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability. This position is available for city residents 18 years of age or older. The BCOS promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity in the community for present and future generations. The commission gathers and disseminates information, promotes practical initiatives, and measures, monitors, and reports on the community’s progress towards sustainability. 
For information on this position, or other commissions that have vacancies at this time, contact the office of the City Clerk or check https://bloomington.in.gov/boards to see the nature of the board or commission, recent minutes and actions, and how that particular vacancy is filled.

MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL B&Cs
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners invites you to apply to serve on a Board or Commission! There are immediate openings on a number of these bodies, including: Animal Management, Environmental Commission, and the Human Rights Commission. For information on each of them, see https://www.co.monroe.in.us/boards/. The application is available here:https://www.co.monroe.in.us/egov/documents/1533065264_74301.pdf. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]). 

EVENTS

Wednesday, January 1, 2020, Noon
Inauguration Day: Swearing In Ceremony and Reception
Bloomington City Hall
Help your local officials commence their terms of public service. Free parking and free refreshments!

Friday, January 3, 2020, 7:30am - 9:00am
DWC Breakfast
The Village Deli, 409 E. Kirkwood
At the breakfast this month we’ll check in on early plans for folks running for political office in 2020.
Full program announcement will be in the next MMN.

Saturday, January 4, 2020, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Ninth District Democratic Party New Year Social & District Meeting
The Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, 914 E. Main St., New Albany
In celebration of the holiday season, our Ninth District Democratic Central Committee will hold a brief District Meeting and New Year Social on January 4th, 2020! They’re inviting you and other party members to join them! A brunch Menu will be served.
In addition to Democratic fellowship, attendees will be able to catch-up on district business and learn more about the historic Victorian era home. The perfect opportunity to join up with old friends or make new ones as our Party prepares for the 2020 Election cycle.
RSVP: [email protected]

Saturday, January 4, 2020, 1:30am - 2:30pm
Sue Sgambelluri Constituent Meeting
Bloomington City Hall, Room #245
Sharing updates on current City Council legislation and taking questions, comments and ideas. 
Topic this Month: The Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Convention Center Expansion and 2020 Forecast.

Sunday, January 19, 2020 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Medicare For All Indiana Film: The Color Of Medicine
The Buskirk Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington
A showing of the new movie The Color of Medicine, a documentary capturing the history of medical training of African-Americans at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis. Dr. Earl Robinson Jr, a retired OB GYN from Indianapolis is featured in the movie and will be present.  He will participate in discussion and Q&A following the screening. Free admission. Please help us publicize this event.  We could use volunteers to help that evening!

Monday, January 20, 6:00pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
The community is invited to attend the 2020 City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration. Free and open to the public. Auditorium doors open at 5:30pm. The celebration begins with a reception at 6pm followed by the program at 7pm, including remarks by Hamilton, members of the MLK Commission, and others. Musical contributions from the Indiana University African American Choral Ensemble, directed by Dr. Raymond Wise, Fairview elementary school students, and Jacobs School of Music Ballet Department students and faculty. Volunteers who participated in "A Day ON! Not A Day Off" will be recognized, and the winner of the Commission’s Legacy Award will be announced. The theme is “Courage and Beautiful Struggle: Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Our Work” featuring keynote speaker Dr. Melina Abdullah. The program will end around 8:30pm.

Saturday, January 25, 2020
IN Democratic Party Blue Bench Training
IVY Tech Conference Center, 2820 N Meridian St Indianapolis, IN 46208
Join the Indiana Democratic Party and the National Democratic Training Committee at their Blue Bench Training for candidates and potential candidates, campaign staff and volunteer staff, and local party infrastructure on January 25 for all the tools and tips you need to launch a successful campaign or create and build infrastructure for your local party. More women, first-time candidates and young people have stepped up to move Indiana forward. If you're ready to do the work, let them help you get started.
Registration begins 30 minutes before the training begins. 
The training costs $25 to cover breakfast and lunch.
Sign up for the training here.

IMAGE OF THE DAY:  Today's cartoon isn't really funny at all, especially not to the 700,000 Americans who will go hungry when the Trump Administration's cuts to SNAP go into effect in the new year. Please see this issue's action items and consider making a donation to our local food banks.

ACTION ITEM(s): 

1. Please consider making a donation to one of the local food banks that serve the 40,000 of our neighbors—10,000 of them children—who are food insecure. Here are a few links:

Hoosier Hills Food Bank (http://www.hhfoodbank.org/donate/)

Monroe County United Ministries
(https://mcum.org/support/donatefunds/)

Pantry 279
(https://pantry279.org/)

Grace Center Food Pantry
(http://www.gracecenterindiana.org/)

2. Renew your membership in the DWC for 2020 (see below)

3. As we wend our way towards the end of this year, consider your options for helping to elect good leaders in 2020: Become active in the DWC, serve on a committee, send us your ideas. Work with the local and state Democratic Parties to effect change in our communities. Sign a petition to put candidates on a state or federal ballot. Join a campaign, support a candidate, educate yourself on the issues, keep your elected officials accountable for their legislative decisions, register a voter and, of course, vote in 2020!.

4. Make your own plans to run - the start of filing for political offices in Indiana is about a month away. Now is the time to make your own plans, do your research and make a decision to run. Let us know how we can help!

5. Take a deep breath and have a very happy holiday season

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Todd Young:
https://www.young.senate.gov/contact/email-todd
(202) 224-5623

Mike Braun
https://www.braun.senate.gov/contact-mike
(202) 224-4814
(317) 822-8240

Trey Hollingsworth
https://hollingsworth.house.gov/contact/
(202) 225-5315 (U.S. House) or (812) 288-3999 (Jeffersonville Office)

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/