Dear ~~first_name~~,
Thank you so much for your vote of confidence to be your President of the League of Women Voters of Wake County for the term of 2024-2026. And thank you so much for electing our fantastic Board of Directors to take us to our next level of accomplishments.
I am truly sorry that I missed the LWV-Wake Annual Meeting last Thursday night. I was hit with two infectious diseases at one time and was under doctor's orders to stay home. Thankfully, I am now on the road to recovery.
Today, June 24, 2024, marks the second anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) decision. According to the National Constitution Center, the Supreme Court’s Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson “tore away the constitutional right to privacy and bodily autonomy by giving states increased rights to limit and even outlaw abortions.” According to several sources, almost half of the states have issued or retained laws more restrictive of abortion rights. More than a dozen states have issued total abortion bans.
LWVUS commemorates and explains the anniversary here. LWVUS has also issued the following statement: “The League of Women Voters US believes that public policy must affirm the right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices and that every individual should have access to quality health care at an affordable cost.” The LWVUS Women’s Inequality Day Campaign in 2022- 2023 included restoration of reproductive rights as a central tenent, along with passing voting rights legislation and adding the ERA to the Constitution.
Are you interested in taking part in immediate action on the Dobbs issue? If so, there is action you can take. LWVNC and LWV-Wake both have advertised the following event which is taking place TODAY. At the Dreadful Dobbs Decision Day Event June 24, from 2 to 6 pm, you can show the General Assembly that the women of NC reject draconian laws over our bodies, health, and freedom. Bring your voice and your signs to the Legislature Building at 16 W. Jones St. and hear from a fantastic lineup of speakers.
Of course, this is only ONE of the issues we care about at the LWV-Wake. This is one day and one issue. LWV-Wake has been fighting for women’s rights for 104 years, and we may be fighting for women’s rights for the next 104 years. We are here for the long haul. Yes, I encourage you to do whatever you can for the one day and the one issue, but I am also asking you for more. We need to stay the course on all of the issues we believe in.
So what’s ahead? We believe in Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy. We believe in human rights, women’s rights, minority rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. We believe everyone should have an affordable place to live, that no one should be hungry, and that our children should get a good quality public education and inherit a world that will not be destroyed by global warming. There are battles raging right now on all of these issues, and we will need to plan carefully where and how we will engage in them.
Here is what we are planning so far. Our Women’s Rights Committee will kick off the Timely Topics Series in September where they will talk about Women’s Rights just in time for the November election. The Timely Topics Series is a strong part of our outward face, empowering ourselves and the public. We are also planning about a dozen Candidate Forums for the General Election on November 5, empowering the public as to what the candidates really think and feel about all the current issues.
Our yearly Women’s Equality Day will be August 22. This event empowers the public by inviting 83 Women (an incredible number) who are now elected to public office to come together and be celebrated.
LWVUS is empowering the public by revising the membership joining process and the dues structure. This will increase and diversify membership around the country as part of our DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) program. The communication team’s efforts, with Cheryl Tung’s guidance, is increasing the number of visitors to our website and our social media followers. This is our future; this is an important part of our outward facing voice, making more people aware of the presence of the League of Women Voters.
LWVUS is continuing the “Moonshot Project," one person, one vote, including the “National Popular Vote Compact," which is aimed at overcoming the archaic biases inherent in the Electoral College.
So, what do we need for you to do? In short, stay involved and get your friends involved. We have a lot of work to do.
Finally, as I regain my strength, let me thank you again for allowing me to serve as your President of the League of Women Voters of Wake County. I look forward to working closely, and actively, with all of you this coming couple of years.
Helen Zimmerman
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