 |  | Dear ~~first_name~~,
With the Primary Election almost behind us (there will likely be 2 Republican runoff elections), it is safe to assume this election season will be a sharp contrast in values that exist with each party's candidates. It will be extremely important for LWV-Wake to encourage nonvoters to vote and ensure we are EDUCATING voters through our candidate forums and VOTE411. We certainly have our work cut out for us. Of course, WOMEN POWER DEMOCRACY so we are up to the task!
During Women's History Month, one need only examine the women of the suffragist movement to understand the power of women. Please take a moment to watch a recent CBS News Saturday Morning excerpt about the Women's Suffrage Movement. You can watch it here:
As we see women's rights being eroded, we must become more vocal about the importance of elections and the power of women's votes. If you want to become involved in these efforts, please consider joining our Women's Rights Committee and/or our Voter Services Committee. All you need to do is make sure you are current on your membership dues and add yourself to the committee on our committees page. Also, reach out to committee Co-Chairs and let them know you are interested in being added to meeting notice/notes emails.
Speaking of our Women's Rights Committee, a big THANK YOU to Co-Chair Kristin Howard for organizing last week's Thank You letter writing campaign. Thank you letters were hand written to the seven U.S. House of Representatives from NC who supported last year's HJ 25 resolution to remove the deadline for the ratification of the ERA. Representatives were encouraged to keep up the fight until we truly have equal rights for ALL.
Looking for additional Women's History activities? Keep scrolling to learn about an exciting 'herstory' event at Shaw University on March 24th and how you can receive discounted tickets.
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Volunteers Needed for Voter Outreach at Alamo Drafthouse
The showing of the political satire Irresistible is SOLD OUT. We are very grateful for Alamo Drafthouse's for its marketing efforts and for providing the League a voter outreach table in the lobby. We will be asking event attendees to support the League with an optional donation and will provide donation envelopes.
We are still in need of a few more volunteers to assist at the outreach table. You can even volunteer AND watch the movie! Sign-ups and volunteer descriptions can be found under the Volunteer tab on our website and by clicking on the link below (you must be signed into the website in order to see volunteer opportunities):
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Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Timely Topics Chair and Co-Chair
Timely Topics is our public educational program that occurs monthly from September-November and Jan-April. Guest speakers are invited from government and nonprofit organizations to address a variety of topics related to the work of LWV-Wake.
The Timely Topics Chair and Co-Chair are responsible for soliciting speaker ideas from our issues committees and the board, and creating the Timely Topics program calendar. This position also coordinates with committees on speaker invitations and guest technology requirements, as well as securing in-person locations. Task lists and templates for communicating with guest speakers, as well as a list of potential locations/contacts are provided.
Women's Equality Day Chair & committee members
Women's Equality Day is LWV-Wake's largest fundraising event. It is held each August around Women's Equality Day. During this event, we recognize all women-elected officials that serve Wake County. We also feature a guest speaker.
The Women's Equality Day (WED) Chair is responsible for leading and organizing volunteers to secure the venue, caterer and guest speaker, invite honorees, develop a theme and manage the overall event. The committee works with the board, as well as our
fundraising, environment and communications committees to assist with event planning.This event has taken place for many years and all tasks are well documented and organized.
If you are interested any of these volunteer opportunities or want more info, please email Cheryl Tung.
|  | | Are you a reader who loves to share and talk about books you're reading? We're bringing back the League Lit Book Club! We plan to meet quarterly (every three months) to discuss books recommended by Leaguers, on the issues and people we care about. We generally read non-fiction, including biography and memoir, although occasionally we do read and discuss fiction on important topics. All books we read should be available in the Wake County Library. We're looking for old friends and new readers to join us, and we invite you to weigh in on how, where and when to meet. Please click on the link below to complete a short survey to better help us plan our book discussion meetings. Questions? Contact Terri Ring
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- 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.
| We are excited to offer League 101 again! Come learn about League structure, our history, and how you can get the most from your membership. League Membership Committee members Karen Furguson and Judee Lonnee look forward to guiding you through an interactive session with time for mingling. To register, click on the link below.
| Learn all about firefighting, fire prevention and Raleigh’s fire history at our tour of the Fire Training Academy at the Raleigh Keeter Training Center. We will also have an opportunity to watch the Raleigh Fire Cadets as they train to fight fires at the center. For more information and to register, click on the link below.
| | Looking for an opportunity to meet other members of LWV-Wake? Want to learn about the various committees and how you can get involved? Then join us on Tuesday, April 16 any time after 4:00 pm at Bittersweet, in downtown Raleigh. While registration is not required, you will receive email reminders if you register. To learn more about Bittersweet and to register, click on the link below.
| | Our annual meeting has been moved to June 20th this year to better align with our fiscal year end. During the meeting, we will announce the results of our electronic ballot voting for LWV-Wake Board of Directors and Nominating Committee, as well as approval of our 2024-2025 budget. Electronic ballot link and 2024-2025 proposed budget will be sent to all active members by May 20th.
Ticket price is $35 and includes dinner. There will be a cash bar for the first hour. For more details and to register, please click on the link below.
|  | | LWV-Wake members invited to TEDxShawUniversity
"Discover the Power of Ideas Worth Sharing at North Carolina's Oldest HBCU"
Members are invited to attend Shaw University's first TEDx event. TEDxShawUniversity is being held during Women's History month and will highlight “herstory,” a reframing of history emphasizing the role of women from the viewpoint of women.
This event will feature five speakers, including Dr. Sara Glova, who will be (drum 🥁 roll please) our keynote speaker for our Women's Equality Day fundraising event! Other guest speakers include: Evingerlean D. Blakney, Ph.D., Cynthia Barnes and two Shaw University students, Alaya Mack and Nakya Carter.
Dr. Sara Glova has provided a special discount promo code, SPEAKERFRIEND that can be used to save $20 off a $55 general admission ticket. Sara's only request is that this code not be made available on social media.
To use the promo code, guests simply need to enter code SPEAKERFRIEND at checkout on Eventbrite or use this direct link:
|  | Braver Angels hosts online discussion with
Dr. Adi Wiezel
The Braver Angels of Central NC present an online interactive discussion with acclaimed Social and Political Psychologist, Dr. Adi Wiezel of Elon University. Dr. Wiezel is an expert on partisanship and its impact on American politics.
Learn how our feelings of political hostility and fear outpace our actual disagreements on the important issues facing our country today. Dr. Wiezel will engage the audience with her compelling research and fun interactive experiments.
We will conclude with the results of the Braver Angels Trustworthy Elections Campaign, a real-world (and encouraging) example of how we bridge the political divide together.
Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket.
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Voter Girl Project Highlights | Our second Voter Girl Project was a huge success! A big THANK YOU to our members who volunteered to help the Girl Scouts learn about their three superpowers.....knowledge, voice and their VOTE. While they might not yet be able to vote in elections quite yet, the girls learned about the power of one vote and how to advocate for what is important to them.
Elected officials played an important role in this event as well. The girls heard about the responsibilities of a judge from Judge Julie Bell and Judge Allegra Collins, and participated in role-playing activities. Raleigh Councilor Christina Jones, Senator Natalie Murdock and Representative Julie von Haefen discussed local and state government and assisted the girls in various table activities.
We look forward to partnering with Coastal Pines Girl Scouts again next year! | In Memoriam
Ann Baker Ward
LWV-Wake lost longtime member Ann Baker Ward on March 7th. While Ann was no longer active in the League, she continued to support our Women's Equality Day fundraiser. Ann had a long career NCSU’s DH Hill Library for 28 years before retiring. She then worked part-time for the Wake County Public Library system. Our sympathies go out to her family. You can view Ann Baker Ward's obituary here. |
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. | |