Spread the word!
The LWV has a reputation for careful, dispassionate analyses of public policy issues and civil discourse on often contentious topics. The LWVMC's Reproductive Rights Committee is presenting a public forum on the facts and myths about abortion care. Without a common understanding of the facts about pregnancy and reproductive health care, the pro-choice and anti-choice activists are talking past each other. This forum is intended to address current WI laws concerning access to abortion care, and to hear from medical experts about many facets of reproductive health care.
Allie Linton, MD MPH, Associate Medical Director, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
Helen M Werner, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Beloit College
Tia Renier, BSW, Advocacy and Outreach Project Manager, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
Michelle Velasquez, JD, Chief Strategy Officer, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
|  | | Be a Community Volunteer for the 2024 Elections!
The Spring Voter Guide for VOTE411.org will cover races in 59 municipalities and school districts in Milwaukee and Waukesha County. In Milwaukee County, we still need community volunteers for Fox Point Village, Fox Point Bayside School District, South Milwaukee, South Milwaukee School District, and West Allis. In Waukesha County, we need community volunteers for the Village of Waukesha, City of Waukesha, Waukesha School District, City of New Berlin, New Berlin School District, City of Pewaukee, Village of Pewaukee, and Pewaukee School District.
The responsibilities of the community volunteers are to:
1. Contact the city, village, town, or school district clerk in November and confirm with him/her their willingness to help us and which offices are up for election in Spring 2024; then report this information to the Vote411 Voter Guide Team.
2. Share with us any key issues in the municipality or school district that could help the VOTE411 team create questions important to the constituents.
3. In early January, the day after the candidate filing deadline, get the candidate names and contact information from the clerk, and pass that information on to us. The timing here is critical so the Vote411 team can quickly invite the candidates to participate in the online Spring Voter Guide by answering the questions we have posed to the candidates and then publish their answers on Vote411.org.
Interested? To volunteer or if you have questions, please contact Sarajane Kennedy (Milwaukee County) or Ellen Trytek (Waukesha County) at voterguide@lwvmilwaukee.org.
| Latinx Voter Outreach in the Community!
Forest Home Cemetery Dia de los Muertos Festival
A round of applause goes to our volunteers, Barbara Medina, Gail Sklodowska and Carole Montgomery for a day of fun at the Forest Home Cemetery Dia de los Muertos Festival held Saturday, October 28th. The resource tables this year were away from the main events, outside in the mausoleum. Despite the "out of the way" location we still talked to about 125 visitors. Several people commented that they had to come and find us. We distributed many buttons, voter information, treats and answered questions.
The pictures below (just a sampling!) demonstrate how much fun we had. Gail took her picture with the Brewers Chorizo sausage. The Dance for Peace was beautifully done. People inquired about how we get funded and what other activities we do. We invited two of these visitors to join the LWV and gave them appropriate material to access our website.
|  | Left to right above: Gail Skadowska, Carole Montgomery, Maria Avila | Kosciusko Community Center
Resource Fair and Trick or Treat
Barbara Medina and Peg Schrader were at the LWV's resource table at this event November 2nd. Unfortunately, the rain and cold held most potential attendees back. There were over a hundred people the year before. They talked to 30 adults, answered their questions, distributed voter information and gave out treats to the trick or treaters.
See Barb Medina and spooky scarecrow below. |  | LWVWI Issues Briefing
The annual state League Issues Briefing is an opportunity to learn more about challenges for the coming election year and League strategies in areas of critical importance. The sessions are free and open to all, but registration is required. Issues Briefing sessions will be held on three days, with zoom access for all.
More information and registration here.
Nov. 9: "Setting the Stage: Redistricting in Wisconsin"
Nov. 11: "Citizen Action at the State Level: Wisconsin Constitutional Amendments"
Nov. 14: "Overcoming Barriers to Voting & Election Administration Challenges" |
International Relations: Great Decisions Discussion Group
November 9, 2023 |10:00-11:00am|
Firefly Meeting Room at the Wauwatosa Public Library
7635 W. North Avenue, Milwaukee
Register Here
Join us to discuss Iran at the crossroads in this weeks discussion.
Contacts: Gloria Weiskotten: weiskotten@att.net and Ned Maxwell: n.maxwell@lwvmilwaukee.org
| Money Matters
This One Is For You!!! A Short-Term, Short-Time Volunteer Opportunity
This is what you have been waiting for….. A short-term and short-time volunteer opportunity that you can do from home! The task involves calling LWVMC members as a follow-up to the annual donation appeal letter sent to members from the president.
We are looking at a three- to eight-hour time commitment over the two-week period from November 27 until December 8. It is a telephone campaign that you can do from home. We’ll have everything you need from a call list, directions including a script, and a Q&A.
To volunteer and/or to ask questions, please contact Gail Sklodowska at g.sklodowska@lwvmilwaukee.org or by phone at 414-719-6791. You can also contact Mary Voelker, Fund Development Committee Chair, at m.voelker@lwvmilwaukee.org with questions. | A Very Special Thanks to the Coffee Sales Team and to Everyone Else Who Supported LWVMC’s 5th Annual Coffee Sale | | Many thanks to the Coffee Sales Team who sold more than $4,000 of coffee this year, which accounted for almost half of LWVMC’s total sales. The 17-member sales team included: Mary Jo Burgoyne, Molly Collins, Peggy Creer, Cathy Friel-Dombeck, Susan Ellsworth, Sarah Jakubiak, Candice Owley, Emily Tayler, Maria Rodriguez, Carrie Roethle, Diane Stiegerwald, Donna Spars, Mary Sussman, Ellen Trytek, Mary Voelker, Chris Weber-Sponnick, and Carol Wolcott. The coffee team members averaged $248 in sales each. A special shout-out to Cathy Friel-Dombeck, who led the pack with $648 in sales, and to Joanne Barndt, who coordinated the St. John’s on the Lake (SJOL) coffee sale, which resulted in sales of more than $600 at SJOL . A special thanks also to the more than 50 LWVMC members and friends of LWVMC who purchased coffee. | | |  | Absentee Ballot Certificate Envelope Redesign
LWVWI’s Ballot Bulletin series highlights measures that ensure our elections are fair, accessible, and secure. The newest feature: Absentee Ballot Certificate Envelope Redesign.
Wisconsin’s no-excuse absentee voting and opportunities for in-person absentee (or “early”) voting help boost voter turnout. The Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) recently updated the return envelope to make the certificate more user-friendly for voters and election officials. The envelopes are now color-coded to indicate which type of ballot is contained in the envelope.
Read more about the new envelope design and access past Ballot Bulletins here | LEAGUE CAFE
Our November League Cafe will meet on Friday, Nov. 17 at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Room at the East Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library, 2320 N. Cramer St. Milwaukee, WI 53211 (East · MPL).
Our meeting in November is a general discussion meeting. We meet to discuss any topics of interest to anyone who comes!
| NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Join Us! Wednesday, November 15, 6 p.m. by Zoom
Louise Petering will present information about reviving the Observer Corps in the context of a natural resources focus. Others will provide updates on their respective foci: renewable energy, the State League Natural Resources Committee efforts and the Coalition on Lead Emergency, etc. We will again discuss planning for a Public Issues Forum. Everyone, including non-members, are welcome.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 810 1955 1640 | Passcode: 365620
Questions? Please contact: Ann Batiza at 414-238-3903
|  |  |
Sat., Nov. 18, 2023, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Welcome remarks by the artists
Kohler Arts Center, 608 New York Avenue, Sheboygan
This event is free and open to all ages. Registration by November 11 is appreciated.
These exhibitions explore contemporary and traditional HMong art. Festivities will feature entertainment, demonstrations, and conversation. Light refreshments will be available. At 2:00 p.m. the artists will give welcome remarks. Special guests include the curator, artists and exhibition graphic designer. Learn more and Register Here
| Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogue
November 29, 2023 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm |
Bayview United Methodist Church
2772 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, Milwaukee
People of all faiths and no faith, all spiritualities and theologies gather in small groups to share a meal and participate in a moderated discussion using a proven model, evoking deep exchanges about lived experiences and the role of faith and/or spirituality in their lives. Through exploration and dialogue, participants learn about the beliefs and traditions of others within an atmosphere of respect and understanding, and are empowered to stand as witnesses for tolerance and inclusion.
|  | Honor Black Friday
Friday November 24, 2023 |7:00-8:15 p.m|
Jewish Museum of Milwaukee
1360 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee
BOGO Admission
Did you know that Black Friday is the name given to one day in London in 1910 when a group of 300 women marched to the Houses of Parliament as part of their campaign to secure voting rights for women? The devastating day earned its name from the violence meted out to protestors by the Metropolitan Police and male bystanders.
In honor of these brave suffragists, women buy one admission, get one free Black Friday! Bring your best friend, mother, sister, or daughter to learn about Women Pulling at the Threads of Social Discourse. The exhibit explores how female artists, using textiles as their medium, subvert the social expectations of crafting by lambasting this soft medium with social and political awareness.
|  |  | Support Democracy. Support your League.
Your support is critical to help our nonpartisan grassroots organization reach voters play a critical role in democracy. It would not be possible to empower voters and defend democracy without your support.
Thank you! | You have received this message from the mailing list of League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. If you would prefer not to receive these emails in the future, go to the opt-out page and modify your privacy settings. You can also request to be removed from our database completely. | |