Feb. 14: LWV's 104th Birthday! 

That's Valentine's Day, too, so show your local League some love with gifts of time, talents and treasure!  All committees welcome members. Feel free to play the field until you find your perfect match.

 Gifts of Time & Talents

REGISTER AND INFORM VOTERS:

Nine dynamic teams provide voter education, registration and voting information. Contact: voterservices@lwvmilwaukee.org

SUSTAIN OUR ORGANIZATION:

Help provide administrative support to enable ongoing League work by joining these committees: Finance, Membership, Fund Development, Communications, Technology. Contact: league@lwvmilwaukee.org

ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC POLICIES:

The League engages in nonpartisan issue advocacy in the public interest. This includes educating our members and the public about important public policy issues. Contact: advocacy@lwvmilwaukee.org

TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE:

Feeling ready for a deeper commitment? Our League relies on the dedication of those members willing to take on greater responsibilities. Contact: league@lwvmilwaukee.org

Volunteer opportunities

Gifts of Treasure

LWVMC is a small-budget, big impact grassroots organization. Donations of any size are appreciated!

Donate here.

LWVMC needs new places for sharing Get Out the Vote (GOTV) information

This week continues to highlight accomplishments in 2023.  Last week Part I of “2023 Year in Review” was published.  Part 2 of “2023 Year in Review” can be found elsewhere in this Update.  These are your accomplishments!  Your volunteer time and your financial gifts make things happen. 

Join us in 2024 as we expand our reach to non-members for sharing GOTV information. We continue to ask for:  

·       Contacts at businesses and corporations where you work as well as any Board affiliations.

·       Contacts at businesses you engage with, e.g. your bank, coffee shop, grocery store, restaurants, etc. 

Today, we ask for contacts at the professional organizations you belong to.  Professional organizations share information on their websites and in email and social media to their members.  Please share contact information with a key person at your professional association.

Join us for an inspiring event on International Women's Day, where women from all walks of life will come together to focus on the critical issue of pay equity and inclusion. This symposium, a collaborative effort by leading women's organizations, including LWVMC, aims to empower women with the knowledge and skills needed to advocate for themselves and others in the pursuit of fair and equitable compensation.

 Keynote speaker Emilie Aries, author of "Negotiate Like a Boss", will share her insights on negotiation strategies and effective ways to address pay disparity challenges. Attendees will engage in hands-on workshops to gain practical tools and skills. Other speakers will address the importance of civic engagement in advocating for a more just society. The afternoon ends with a lively Happy Hour at St. Kate's (across from the Marcus Center).

 Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this event is designed to empower women at all stages to take control of their financial futures. Register here.

2023 Year in Review – Part 2

Last week we reviewed the accomplishments of Voter Services during 2023.   This week we look at the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the Advocacy Committees.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee 

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee completed a Strategic Plan, as well as a corresponding Implementation Plan. The Plan is organized around five strategic areas: DEI Education, Personal Outreach, Community Outreach, Internal Communication, and Internal Practices.  It was presented to the Board in February. 

In June, the DEI Committee hosted a screening and discussion of Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom, an unscripted documentary that invites viewers into the story of Juneteenth – the holiday recognizing the end of legalized slavery in Texas – through the eyes of a Black man learning about the holiday from the direct descendants of those liberated. It was the inaugural film in the LWVMC’s DEI Film Series. 

In October, the Committee partnered with the Whitefish Bay Library for a  Public Issues Forum (PIF) entitled:  Freedom to Read:  How Librarians Fight Back Against Book Challenges and How the Law Protects them. 

International Women’s Day

Peggy Creer participated in a panel discussion in March on International Women’s Day.  Peggy presented the importance of voting, in general, and the importance of voting to advance issues of importance to women.

Advocacy 

Police Accountability and Community Safety Committee

The Police Accountability and Community Safety Committee's mission is to advocate for community safety and for policies and practices that promote accountable, equitable, transparent, and effective policing.  

Members attended Fire and Police Commission meetings and subcommittee meetings, as well as attending and monitoring the monthly meetings of several other bodies engaging in police accountability issues in Milwaukee. 

Members met with the Fire and Police Commission executive director, local government officials, and others to engage them in the recommendations shared in our 2022 Report. 

Reproductive Rights Committee  The newly formed Reproductive Rights Committee conducted its first public issues forum in November, titled, "Fact or Fiction: Dispelling Abortion Care Myths." The presentation of medically accurate information and the societal impacts of reproductive health care helped guide the debate on this controversial topic toward a civil, fact-based discussion of effective public policy-making.  

Natural Resources Committee

In keeping with our focus on climate change in 2023, our committee has begun a long-term commitment with the approval of the LWVMC Board to support the MKE City/County Climate and Economic Equity Plan through advocacy and action. For example, we testified in favor of the use of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for implementation of the City Plan at a February meeting of the ARPA Funding Allocation Task Force. In June, the City Council voted to support the City’s plan, which the Mayor signed. 

In other actions related to climate change, we hosted the online Public Issues Forum, “Thirty Years of Recycling in Wisconsin: Successes, Challenges and Looking Ahead” which can be found here. One of our committee members provides regular updates on policies that affect climate change, in particular regarding electric vehicles, EV charging stations, and renewable energy production in the state.

To initiate coordination of League natural resources efforts around the state we spearheaded creation of a very active statewide LWV Natural Resources Committee, which meets monthly.

We also continued our active participation in the Coalition on Lead Emergency (COLE).  

The Disability Rights Committee was formed and held its first meeting.

Milwaukee REC Supports the League in Get Out The Vote Messaging

The Milwaukee REC department agreed to allow the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee to hang “get out the vote”  messages on banners at eleven playfields and two community centers. These banners are located at the following locations:

Southgate - 3350 S. 25th Street 53215*

Burnham Playfield - 1755 S 32nd St. 53215*

Oasis Senior Center – 2414 W. Mitchell St. 53204

Beulah Brinton Community Center – 2555 S. Bay St. 53207

Columbia Playfield - 1345 W. Columbia St. 53206

Franklin Square Playfield - 2643 North 13th Street 53206

Auer Ave. Playfield – 2221 W. Auer Ave. 53206

Green Bay Ave. Playfield - 3872 North 8th Street 53206

Stark Playfield - 4951 North 40th Street 53209

Custer Playfield - 4001 W. Custer Avenue 53209

Garden Homes Playfield - 4456 N. Teutonia Ave.53209

Browning Playfield - 5575 North 76th Street 53218

Bryant Playfield - 8718 W. Thurston Ave.

We want to encourage people to vote. These particular playfields are in wards with low voter turnout. 

We hope this will be the beginning of a long and successful relationship with the Milwaukee REC department.

LWVUS Honors Dr. Turner

We are looking for volunteers to help us register and welcome high school students as new voters. Join us and work alongside student helpers to facilitate student voter registration and distribution of voter information.  

Volunteer sign-up for high school registrations differs from volunteer sign-ups for other events.  All high school volunteers are required to take the online high school training (Voter Registration in Milwaukee and Waukesha Area High Schools2.pdf).  At the end of the training, there is a place to join our call list.  Once on the call list, you will receive notices about upcoming registrations and how to sign up for them. 

Election Observers Needed on April 2

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (LWVWI) is recruiting volunteers across the state to observe the Spring Election on April 2. Election observers help ensure a fair election by watching for signs of voter disenfranchisement and intimidation, and by monitoring the way Wisconsin's election laws and procedures are being applied. Even if you only have a couple hours to spare on Election Day, you can still sign up to be an election observer.  Learn more and sign up to volunteer today!
Volunteers will receive online training, a reporting form, a polling place assignment with flexible shifts, and an Election Day hotline number for questions or for reporting a problem. Questions? Contact LWVWI Voter Education Manager Eileen Newcomer at enewcomer@lwvwi.org or at (608)256-0827. Please share this opportunity with anyone who might be willing to be part of this vital program.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

1937 N Vel R Phillips Ave, Milwaukee

The History of Black Milwaukee presented by John Gurda

There have been Black Milwaukeeans for as long as there’s been a Milwaukee. African Americans were here when the future metropolis was just a fur-trading post, and they grew with the city during its rise as a hotbed of abolitionist activity, an industrial powerhouse, and a haven for immigrants. The Milwaukee Public Library hosts John Gurda, a Milwaukee-born writer and historian, for a talk on the history of Black Milwaukee.  

Tuesday, February 13, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Villard Square Branch

Saturday, March 2, from 3:30-5 p.m.
Washington Park Branch

Author Jonathan Eig in conversation with Cree Myles at Centennial Hall

Register Here.

We've Got to Try: Beto O'Rourke at Milwaukee Public Library

Friday, February 23, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.Centennial Hall, Milwaukee Public Library, 733 N 8th St, Milwaukee

Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogue

February 28, 6-8 p.m.

Congregation Shalom, 7630 N Santa Monica Blvd, Milwaukee

Register here. 

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.

Support Local 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! LWVMC