Shock, denial, anger, bargaining, and depression—each stage of grief is important to the healing process. But the final stage of grief in this case isn't acceptance—it's organizing. WE HAVE GRIEVED AND SHARED OUR WORRIES. NOW WE ARE CALLED TO ACTION.
You may want to read Sheila Kennedy's thoughts from Sunday: https://www.sheilakennedy.net/2016/11/facing-up-to-reality/
Since the election, we've come together to commiserate, to support each other, and to start figuring out our course of action. And the Honorable Vi Simpson lit the fire for starting the process by fixing our nightmarishly gerrymandered voting districts that prevent any political progress or conversation.
The League of Women Voters of Bloomington and Monroe County has been studying the redistricting process. President Kate Cruickshank has agreed to spend our December 2nd breakfast meeting with us to fully brief us on the process up to now, and and to talk about the next course of action. Your homework before December 2? Check out the LWV information site on redistricting at this link: http://bmclwv.org/index.php?action=&go=redistricting
REPORT ON WOMEN's SUMMIT FOR CHANGE
Like our own reactions to the November 8th election, women in Indianapolis (and frankly, around the state) have gathered together to discuss what we need to do in Indiana to preserve and expand women's rights. Deborah Meador, Penny Githens and Regina Moore drove to Indianapolis to attend a Women's Summit for Change. While the organizers thought about 100 women would attend, it's been reported that over 500 people were there. Our friends Sheila Kennedy, Betty Cockram and Christina Hale spoke. An attempt at a discussion was well handled, even with that many women in one large room, and several items of action came to the front of the agenda. They decided to settle on reproductive health issues as they may be even more threatened by the new administrations, redistricting and gerrymandering (as the report from a summer study committee will be forthcoming), and keeping in touch and monitoring the actions of our state legislators and congressional representatives. The very first question was about getting more women to serve in elected offices. They're in the process of organizing this group and any others interested in making positive changes in our state.
You can follow this group on Facebook by joining the group: Women 4 Change Indiana.
Use this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1721704234817169/?pnref=story
Lastly but not least, The Women's March on Washington, January 21, 2017.
See local information below.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Item
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DWC Breakfast Meeting
December 2, 7:30 am, Village Deli
Kate Cruickshank on Redistricting in Indiana
DWC Steering Committee Elections
December 2, Breakfast Meeting
Voting will be at the meeting and online.
Make sure you are a member!
You can email Vicky Sorensen to double check: [email protected]
EVENTS:
Women's March on Washington
Saturday, January 21, 2017, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Join hundreds of thousands of women in a March on Washington to show our support for women everywhere and highlight issues of sexual assault, workplace discrimination, and women's equality. We need to let the new administration know that we are here, that we are watching and that we will take action!
There is a bus from Bloomington! Use this link, add your city and state.
http://rallybus.net/womens-march-on-washington
ACTION ITEM: Make one call. One.
Paul Ryan is conducting a phone poll on the ACA (Obamacare), hoping to hear overwhelming popular opposition to it. Please express support for the Affordable Care Act by calling (202) 225-3031. You will be asked to leave a message. Please do it now!
There will be a long (very long) silence followed by a menu and then a message from Ryan about the "damage" that having healthcare has caused for millions of Americans. Then you get a chance to vote to retain the ACA and health care for people whose employers choose not to provide it.
AND...
Join the DWC in 2017. It's important to stay organized and energized! Renew your membership today!
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/