Joint Statement from Wisconsin Voting Rights and Civil Liberties Organizations on the Arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan
On April 25, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin joined with our partners around the state in issuing a joint statement on the deeply troubling news of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s arrest by federal agents at the courthouse. Moments like this test our values. We believe in a Wisconsin where everyone’s rights are respected, the law is applied fairly, and public trust in our justice system is earned through transparency and accountability—not fear or duress.
We are monitoring this situation closely. We urge investigators to proceed with integrity– upholding the essential principles of justice and due process that protect all our fundamental freedoms. We ask our communities to stay engaged and committed to the principles of fairness, truth, and justice. Read the full statement here. |  | CALL TO ACTION: Extending Medicaid Coverage to One Year Postpartum
The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin supports the passage of Assembly Bill 97, the companion bill of SB 23 which was just passed almost unanimously by the Senate on April 22, 2025. This bill extends postpartum healthcare for one year after giving birth for those who are Medicaid eligible. We are asking voters to call their state legislators in the Assembly to urge them to request that the Speaker of the Assembly bring the bill to the floor for a vote and to pass AB 97. Read the full call to action here.
|  | | Mark Your Calendars!
Day Without Immigrants & Workers
Thursday, May 1, 9:30am
Join Voces de la Frontera and the League of Women Voters Milwaukee County as we come together in a powerful demonstration of our collective strength to:
- Stop scapegoating immigrant workers and separating families!
- Defend Medicaid food assistance and public education!
- Stand up for sanctuary!
Immigration reform with a path to citizenship now!
Meet at Voces de la Frontera, 733 W. Mitchell and march to the Federal Courthouse, 517 E. Wisconsin.
Wear your League T-shirt, bring your nonpartisan signs (no political parties mentioned or political candidate endorsements) and let's march together. Contact d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org to arrange a meeting point and for more information.
League Protest Safety Guidelines here
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Are you a person who likes to have your “ducks in a row,” dot those i’s and cross those t’s? The Governance Committee is looking for someone to join us in our important work to help the Board and all of LWVMC reach its full potential. Behind the scenes we work to establish organizational policies and procedures, including job descriptions and charters, that help our officers and committees do their best work.
So, if you’re a policy wonk, administrative nerd, bylaws stickler, strategic planner, great collaborator, communicator and detail-oriented, this is the place for you! We meet virtually once a month and are an extremely productive and collegial group.
You can read the charter for the committee here. Please contact Governance Committee Chair, Lorna Grade, if you are interested in joining at l.grade@lwvmilwaukee.org. | | Thanks to all who attended our “exploratory” advocacy event to address Mass Incarceration - a key community issue.
Emily Sterk, from Milwaukee Turners (and an LWVMC member) presented local data for consideration and specific areas of work in which we can participate. More dialogue to come as this new committee determines 2025-2026 goals and objectives as well as other partnership opportunities. These advocacy efforts will complement the work of the jail-based Voter Services Committee led by Joan Hansen and Liz Aelion. Contact Emily at esterk@milwaukeeturners.org to make a difference! | | |  | | 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 |  |  | County Executive Signs Zero Carbon Emissions Plan
Members of the LWVMC Climate Action Group, led by Louise Petering and Candice Owley, were present on April 25 as Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed a County Board Resolution for county government to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. League members have been very involved over the past several years to advocate for the Milwaukee City and County Climate & Economic Equity Plan, which focuses not only on carbon emission reduction, but also on providing family-supporting green jobs in the city. LWVMC conducted a public issues forum on the topic in 2022.
Information on Milwaukee City Climate and Equity Plan & the County Climate Action Plan 2050
Read full article here. |  | NOW IS THE TIME……
Today we introduce Edna Fischel Gellhorn in our series on suffragists. Edna Fischel Gellhorn (1878-1970), a Missouri suffragist, reformer, and philanthropist, helped found the League of Women Voters.
In 1916, Gellhorn participated in a women's rights protest dubbed "The Golden Lane" at the Democratic national convention, held that year in St. Louis. Some 7,000 women carrying yellow parasols and wearing yellow sashes lined both sides of the road leading to the convention. In the front row were two little girls representing future voters.
This picture is a re-enactment of the 1916 protest, the picture of which is black and white.
In 1920, she became one of the founders of the League of Women Voters. She declined Carrie Chapman Catt’s invitation to become the organization's president, but served instead as vice-president, as a member of its board of directors, and as president of the St. Louis League for three terms. She also served as the first president of the Missouri League of Women Voters.
Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna_Fischel_Gellhorn)
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Municipal Clerk Appreciation Week - May 4-10, 2025
During the week of May 4-10, we pause to recognize the municipal clerks who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that our elections are secure, accessible, and fair. Their dedication to accuracy, transparency, and service is foundational to our democracy and to the work we do as League members.
Whether they’re processing voter registrations, managing polling places, or answering late-night questions, clerks are trusted stewards of the democratic process in every Wisconsin community.
Let’s show our gratitude! Reach out to your local clerk this week with a thank-you note, social media shout-out, or kind word. Together, we can lift up the public servants who make our elections possible.
You can find your clerk’s contact information at: myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Municipal-Clerk.
And to make recognizing your clerk easy, here’s a sample message you can send.
Don’t wait till May 4, send a note to your municipal clerk now!
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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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