In Memoriam
Dr. Deborah Ann Turner | Casting a ballot is more than a decision on representation;
it is an homage to the women and men who have been locked out of the process.
-Dr. Deborah Ann Turner | Dear ~~first_name~~,
Last week, LWV suffered a monumental loss with the passing of LWVUS President Dr. Deborah Ann Turner. To say Dr. Turner was an accomplished individual is an understatement. Among her lifetime achievements:
- Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, making her the first African-American in the specialty of gynecologic oncology.
- Participated in several medical missions in Tanzania to provide care to the country's children.
- Returned to school in 2007, while still practicing medicine, to earn her J.D.
- Elected the League of Women Voter's president for two terms at its 54th and 55th National Conventions in June 2020 and June 2022.
- Received several awards, including the Gertrude Rush Award, from the National Bar Association in 2015.
In addition to these accomplishments, Dr. Turner demonstrated her leadership at LWVUS by working for the expansion of voting rights with a focus on racial equity. She participated in many pro-democracy rallies and demonstrations, including a rally where she and LWVUS CEO Virginia Kase Solomón got into some "good trouble" and were arrested. She also wrote several articles and blogs about issues that are important to our mission.
Selected inspirational quotes from Dr. Turner appear on the LWVUS website here. LWV-Wake board member Retta Riordan asked me to share Dr. Turner's 3-part blog series, One Year After Dobbs: The Medical Impact of Anti-Abortion Laws. You can read those here.
I was fortunate to meet Dr. Turner when she visited North Carolina to attend the 75th Anniversary celebration of the Orange, Durham, Chatham League in September 2022. I found her to be extremely down-to-earth, exuding warmth and kindness. She was interested in what LWV-Wake was working on, and I discussed our Clouds Brewing beer partnership for the release of the "Wheat the People" beer with our logo. She was excited for us and, after hearing her speak that evening, I too was excited and proud to be part of an organization under her leadership.
Our thoughts are with Dr. Turner's family and those at LWVUS who worked closely with her and all who were inspired by her.
February is Black History Month: African Americans and the Arts
The following is a from recent LWVofWake Instagram post:
Did you know each year Black History Month has a special theme? In 2024, it's "African Americans and the Arts," and there's a lot to celebrate. Writers like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Maya Angelou crafted mainstays of American literature, giving us beautiful pieces of writing that still resonate deeply across ethnicities and eras.
Harriet Powers, a former slave, and her contemporary Thornton Dial are both important figures in American Folk Arts, each with captivating and unique styles and messages. Both used salvaged goods to craft narratives around African American culture.
"A Raisin in the Sun," by Lorraine Hansberry was the first play written by a Black woman to be produced on Broadway. This opened doors for more representation on stage and told of the Black experience to mainstream audiences.
In 1963, Sidney Poitier gave us a ground-breaking and moving performance in "Lilies of the Field." This earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, which he became first Black actor to win.
Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook throughout February as we highlight past and current achievements of black artists.
| VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
As we gear up for this year's elections in November, we are participating in and hosting a number of get out the vote events, and we need YOU. Events include:
- Wake Tech Voter Outreach on February 14th - Events will take place at South and North campuses. Volunteers will help students check their voter registrations and provide students with information about voting in the upcoming primary election.
- Postcard Party on February 24th - This event is an opportunity to meet people from other organizations who want to promote voting. Volunteers will participate in a short discussion about how to motivate others to vote and then complete postcards to send to a select group of voters. Snacks provides. Volunteers do NOT need to be members. Bring friends!
Additional events can be found in the events calendar below so please keep scrolling.
REMEMBER: To register to volunteer for the Wake Tech event, you must be logged into your LWV-Wake account. Non-members may register for the Postcard Party and do not need to log into our website in order the view this volunteer opportunity.
|  | | Voter Girl Project returns March 16th
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are excited to announce the return of Voter Girl Project! The program consists of civic engagement, advocacy and voting projects designed for all scout levels- Daisies to Ambassadors, with a curriculum appropriate for each level. This event was a huge hit for our volunteers and participants last year. We have expanded the number of participants this year so we need YOUR HELP in providing advocacy training to our future generation of leaders.
The full-day event will consist of a morning program (9:00am-11:30am) for grades K-3 and afternoon program (1pm-4pm) for grades 4-8.
Volunteer sign-ups are a now available for both AM and PM shifts. Remember, you must first log into the website as a member to access the volunteer section of our website.
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- February 7th 12pm-1:30pm Timely Topics: Affordable Housing & Homelessness in Wake County - Problems & Solutions. Join us as we welcome Lorena D. McDowell, Director, Housing Affordability & Community Revitalization for Wake County and Ashley Lommers-Johnson, Chief Executive Officer for the Raleigh Housing Authority. Discussion will focus on homelessness and lack of affordable housing in Wake County, how their respective organizations address these issues, the challenges they face, and potential solutions. For more information and to register, click here.
- February 10th Members-Only Potluck 11:30am-1:30pm - The Membership Committee is hosting a potluck brunch/lunch in southeast Wake County* on Saturday, February 10, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Any member is welcome to attend. Take advantage of this chance to get acquainted in a member's home, with stimulating conversation and good food. It's a great way to connect and learn what has drawn others to join, especially if you're new. To learn how to sign up, click here.
- February 20th 4pm - 6pm Member Meetup at Ladyfingers Market & Eatery - All members are invited to join the Membership Committee at Ladyfingers, Glenwood Place, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Arrive and leave at whatever times fit your schedule, but come and join us as we talk, share news, and make new friends. Registration is NOT required, however, if you would like to receive reminder emails, please register. If you'd like, bring a friend! More details and registration link can be found here.
- March 13th 6pm-8pm League 101 Join us to learn about League structure, our history, and how you can get the most from your membership. To learn more and to register, click here.
- March 21st 12pm-1:30pm Timely Topics: Wake County Food Security Program - In Wake County, nearly 10% of our community faces food insecurity. The Wake County Food Security Program is dedicated to addressing this issue. Join us as we learn more about this program.To register, click here. Remember to bring a bagged lunch!
- April 18th 12pm-1:30pm Timely Topics: Meet the Superintendent of Wake County Public Schools - Dr. Robert Taylor will discuss his role as superintendent and his next steps in moving forward on the school system's strategic plan. This is an in-person event so bring your own lunch. To learn more and register, click here.
| | State Courts 101
Pro Choice NC and Emancipate NC are hosting "State Courts 101" to discuss the importance of state courts in protecting our rights and democracy. Learn how courts impact our lives and how we can advocate for a fair judiciary that is committed to equality under the law. This presentation is being held via Zoom. To register, click here. |  | | Power the South Recap
On January 26-27, LWVUS hosted Leaguers from around North Carolina for a Power the South presentation. Attendees representing LWV-Wake were Kristen Howard, Elaine Okal, Cheryl Tung and Helen Zimmerman. Marian Lewin, LWV-Wake member and LWVNC board member also attended.
There were several informative sessions that focused on effective organizing, mis- and dis- information and attracting and engaging members.
One of the most inspirational moments was during the presentation 'Strengthening our People Powered Movement' that featured a recording from Dr. Martin Luther King's speech about power that included the following quote:
“Power properly understood is nothing but the ability to achieve purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political and economic change. … What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”
Indeed there is much to learn from Dr. King! Listening to him speak these words provided much needed inspiration as we focus on collaborating and messaging around the power of voting. For more details about last week's Power the South event, read Key Takeaways from Power the South on LWVNC's website here.
|  | | Check Your Membership Status! The League Needs Your Involvement and Support
The last quarter of the calendar year brings all of us much activity and many distractions. It may be an excellent time to check on your membership status with the League. Many memberships expired between July 1 and the end of December. Don’t miss your access to programs, events, socials, and the news alerts by having your membership expire.
Go online (www.lwvwake.org) and log in to your account (the upper right hand corner) and click on “join or renew” to pay your current dues online via a credit card or PayPal. You may also send your check ($60 for individuals; $90 for households) to the office (3509 Haworth Drive Suite 306 Raleigh, NC 27609) and your payment will be recorded and your membership status updated. If your membership lapsed earlier in the year, you many need to rejoin as a new member.
Questions? Concerns? Email Membership Co-Chair Dale Cousins @ dalenbill@gmail.com.
There is work to do in 2024. Let’s make it an active and happy 2024 with individual support and efforts.
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Looking for information from a past newsletter? Previous League Updates can now be viewed on our website's home page. Look for the "League Updates" blue tab on the top menu.
Thank you for continuing to support the League of Women Voters of Wake County.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Tung
President | | The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. | |