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Dr. Emily Sterk joined the Milwaukee Turners as a Research and Advocacy Associate in September 2024. She has worked in various learning environments, including national and international universities, correctional facilities, youth detention centers, and adult education centers. As part of the “Confronting Mass Incarceration” team, Emily develops and contributes to the Milwaukee Turners’ expanding expertise in mass incarceration policy and creates research-informed programs for system-impacted individuals. Emily joined the League of Women Voters in the fall of 2024.
Join us for short presentations followed by discussion of how interested League members can advocate for change in our community!
Click here to register! | |
LWV is Fighting for Life-Saving Abortion Care
LWVUS and nearly 100 other organizations joined an amicus brief arguing that the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act(EMTALA) preempts Idaho’s abortion ban, which prohibits abortion in all instances unless necessary to save the life of the mother. EMTALA requires hospitals participating in Medicare to provide stabilizing care to any individual experiencing a medical emergency, regardless of their ability to pay. Contact Gail @ g.sklodowska@lwvmilwaukee.org if you want to join the fight for Reproductive Rights!
| NOW IS THE TIME……
Continuing the series on suffragists, we introduce Ida B. Wells today. The Fund Development Committee took on this project to educate LWVMC members about the important and sometimes lesser-known suffragists in the history of the League of Women Voters.
Ida B. Wells (1862-1931), prominent journalist, anti-lynching activist and suffragist, advocated for African American women’s political participation and voting rights. She successfully argued for the integration of women’s suffrage marches, cofounded the National Association of Colored Women, and later ran for political office.
At the 1913 Women’s Procession March (before Wilson’s inauguration), Black suffragists were told to walk at the back to avoid offending Southern white women. Wells refused and marched alongside white suffragists to integrate the demonstration. The float pictured displayed a banner "We demand an amendment to the Constitution of the United States enfranchising the women of this country," that would become known as “The Great Demand.”
|  | Ways to Give!!!
Thank you for your continued generosity to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. Your support is important as we tirelessly continue our work to register voters, engage our elected officials to maintain voting rights, step up our activism to fight against undemocratic actions by our government, and advocate for the causes we care about.
You can donate to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County in different ways:
- A cash donation with a check made out to LWVMC. Send this to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, 6737 West Washington Avenue, Suite 2218, West Allis, Wisconsin 53214.
- A credit card donation at https://lwvmilwaukee.org/content.aspx?page_id=301&club_id=152606
- A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. Please talk with your financial advisor to see how this can lower your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) if you are required to be taking distributions.A gift from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF). See your financial advisor to talk about whether this charitable gift strategy is right for you. Many local foundations offer help with setting up a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).
Please note that gifts to the League of Women Voters, a 501(c)4 organization, are not tax-deductible. Gifts to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, a 501(c)3 organization, are tax-deductible. The EIN number for LWVMC is 39-6096750. |  | | AmiraThePoet has curated and performed original spoken word pieces at various corporate and nonprofit events across Milwaukee and beyond. Her poetry serves as both a medium for creative expression and a tool for community engagement, aligning with her mission to inspire, educate, and uplift through the art of spoken word. Amira’s dedication to community service and the arts reflects her passion for fostering positive change and building solidarity within her community.
We are pleased to announce Amira will present an original poem at our Annual Meeting on May 31.
| | | JOIN THE SILENT AUCTION TEAM!
Volunteers are still needed to help with the Silent Auction we will be having during our May 31st Annual Meeting. Please consider joining the Silent Auction Team.
Team members will:
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Solicit donations from area businesses and organizations
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Accept and catalog donations at the office
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Prepare donations for display at the event
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Create descriptions of the donations for display with the items and for handout information
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Transport and unload auction items to and from the office on the day of the event
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Set up the auction items: decorate the tables and arrange the display of the auction items
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Assist auction buyers at the event: collect cash and checks and help with bagging up purchases
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Assist with the cleanup after the auction is over
If you can be part of this effort, please click the button below to volunteer as soon as possible! Please contact me directly with questions at my personal email address of eharrisce@aol.com. Thank you!
Elizabeth Harris-Hodge
|  | Tell the Federal Government to Recognize the ERA
The League of Women Voters continues to fight for equal rights year-round. With the onslaught of government attacks on our liberties and democracy, we must keep showing up by educating about our hard-fought progress and demanding equality.
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is an amendment to the US Constitution that protects the equality of right under the law regardless of sex. The ERA has met all ratification requirements and been recognized by the executive branch yet has not been published in the Constitution. The federal government's failure to acknowledge this duly ratified amendment prevents true equality and threatens the integrity of our democracy.
The ERA will give the courts greater power to fight sex-based discrimination, protect against the rollback of rights, and pave the way for progress towards sex and gender equality. It is a vital tool in the fights against unequal pay, workplace harassment, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, limited access to comprehensive healthcare, attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, and more.
In an incredible victory in January, President Biden released a White House statement affirming that the ERA is the 28th Amendment to US Constitution and the law of the land. This is largely thanks to advocacy by the League, our partners, and people like you.
The Equal Rights Amendment is fully ratified and has been affirmed by a US President. The federal government must uphold the Constitution and recognize our 28th Amendment now. Voices like yours got us this far in the fight. Add your name to the petition to demand that the government recognize the ERA as the 28th Amendment. Equality and democracy depend on it. |  |
April ‘25 Climate Action
With Milwaukee County Community, Environment, and Economic Development Committee’s approval of the County Climate Plan, it will proceed to the County Board for final approval. Thus, two opportunities for climate involvement or action remain in April. Provided below are 1) dates with locations and 2) live links to a) event registration b) information from reputable sources, c) League positions and d) a report back form. If you need guidance, notify l.petering@lwvmilwaukee.org.
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April 24 - Milwaukee County Board vote on County Climate Plan, Noon, Courthouse Room 200. Attend, hold up a sign in support, and report back.
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April 26 - Rock the Green Event, presented by Milwaukee Riverkeeper & the City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St., featuring The Zach Pietrini Band. Attend and report back.
Information on Milwaukee City Climate and Equity Plan & the County Climate Action Plan 2050
Information from DNR followed by health effects and costs of natural gas plants …
League positions on Climate Change support curbing greenhouse gas emissions and moving to renewable sources of energy to protect human health and Earth’s ecosystems:
|  | | April is National Volunteer Month, and a perfect time to celebrate our member volunteers. Thank you for everything you do as a volunteer and member of the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. Our combined efforts in service to our commitment to educate and empower voters make a difference. This is the way to defend democracy!
| | Our next meeting is on April 25 at 10:00 a.m. at the East Side Library, 2320 N. Cramer St. (There is parking behind, turn in through an archway). We alternate a “specific book” meeting with a “general discussion” meeting . April is general discussion and in May we will be discussing the book, "How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery in America”, by Clint Smith.
Because of Memorial Day, the May meeting will be on the 5th Friday, May 30. Even if one doesn’t read the book, our discussions are always interesting and it’s a great way to meet other League members. We are reserved at the East Side Library for May as well.
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Town Hall April 19 in Glendale
Local grassroots organizations have invited Sen. Ron Johnson to a town hall meeting to hear from Milwaukee area constituents. The event will take place Saturday, April 19, from 10 am to noon at Nicolet High School Auditorium, 6701 N. Jean Nicolet Road, Glendale. Space is limited so registration is required. Register here.
Event organizers will record the session so that constituents' concerns can be shared with Sen. Johnson in the event that he does not attend.
|  |  | | UW-Madison Elections Research Center
April 24, 1:15- 5 pm., In-person or virtual
The Fragility and Performance of Democracy in the U.S.:Taking Stock After the First 100 Days of the Trump Administration will explore the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency. Intense partisanship, public distrust in institutions, and concerns about government accountability have raised doubts about the sustainability of U.S. democracy. At the 100 day mark of the Trump presidency, this event evaluates both the current situation and the overall health of the American political system.
Hear scholars share their insights on the new politicization of the administrative state, presidential messaging, and the state of democracy and governance in America.
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Accessing Members-Only Resources on the LWVMC Website
The website contains resources for members-only. Members must be logged in to see this information.
| 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
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