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Date: 8/8/2022
Subject: LWV-Wake Update August 8th 2022
From: League of Women Voters of Wake County



LWV-Wake Update 8/8/2022

 

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Dear ~~first_name~~,
 
Greetings from LWV-Wake.
 
Last week we experienced both joy and heartbreak on the issue of abortion rights. Kansas voters sent a message that they want government to stay out of their lives, while Indiana's state legislature declared themselves in full control of women's lives with the passage of a near total abortion ban.
 
Abortion Protections in NC
While we watch the abortion rights debate unfold around the country, we remain laser-focused on potential actions by the NCGA leadership in their efforts to reinstate the 20 week abortion ban after the Dobbs decision. Here's a recap of actions taken:
 
June 24th - Dobbs Decision by U.S. Supreme Court. Berger and Moore send a letter to AG Stein asking him to lift the injunction on ban as precedent no longer exists.
July 21st - AG Stein recuses himself and announces he will not seek to reinstate abortion ban.
July 27th - Attorneys for Berger and Moore file a brief asking U.S. District Judge William Osteen to vacate his 2019 ruling that blocked execution of the 20-week ban based on precedents set in Roe v. Wade.
August 3rd - District Judge William Osteen requests briefs from all parties in the case to file briefs by Monday, August 8th.  Briefs should outline their positions on whether his previous ruling blocking the law is still legal after SCOTUS overturned nationwide abortion protections on June 24.
August 8th - DOJ attorneys expect to file their brief. Attorneys have not publicly indicated their position. 
 
Abortion is STILL legal in North Carolina until fetal viability, which is between 24-28 weeks, or in certain medical emergencies. For more facts about abortion in NC, click here. 

News from the League
League Leaders Roundtable August 13th
If you are a committee chair or co-chair, project leader or have an interest in leadership opportunities in LWV-Wake, please attend our first League Leader's Roundtable. Board member, Laurel Voelker, will lead discussions on how to implement our 2022-2023 strategic priorities in League work, develop a work plan and share ideas for success. Breakfast will be served. To register, click on the link below:
 
 
Voter Services
As we approach mid-term elections, our Voter Services committee is determining projects aimed at educating voters and encouraging everyone to VOTE. Project ideas include combating mis- and disinformation about elections and voting, instilling confidence in our elections, and protecting our votes. If you are interested in working on upcoming election/voting projects, please email Marian Lewin.
 
Finance Committee Members Needed
As part of our strategic plan implementation, LWW-Wake is creating a finance committee. This committee will work with the Treasurer to expand the types of financial reporting presented to the board, create processes to mitigate financial risk and assist with the yearly budget process. Experience with, or knowledge of, budgeting, financial statements, and Quickbooks would be helpful. The committee will determine the frequency of meetings and work process. If you are interested, please email Elaine Okal
 
10 Days to Women's Equality Day! 
August 18th 5:30pm Dix Chapel
Put on your pearls and join us as we celebrate Women's Equality Day! We can't wait to be together again as we recognize all women elected officials who serve Wake County.
 
In addition, Janet Cowell, former NC state treasurer, state senator, and current CEO of Dix Park Conservancy, will serve as the keynote speaker. The event, held at the beautiful All Faiths Chapel at Dix Park, begins at 5:30 on Thursday, August 18th. We invite you to join us as a sponsor. Dues alone does not cover our annual expenses and we rely on sponsorships to help us fund:
  • Programming - Timely Topics, DEI Roundtable, and other programs during the year that serve to educate our community on important issues.
  • Civics Education program - A new program of short videos that provide information on local and state government, voting, elections, redistricting and other related topics, to our community.
  • GOTV/Election projects - As we approach mid-term elections, our Voter Services committee is planning a host of GOTV projects, including media promotion for VOTE411.org, candidate forums, door hanger and post card projects, yard signs, etc.  We must also push back against election disinformation meant to confuse, intimidate and harass voters, suppress the right to vote, or otherwise disrupt our democracy.
  • Leadership Development Training - As we focus on developing leaders among our members, we need to invest in training and materials to help potential leaders learn how to be effective in the League to ensure the growth and stability of LWV-Wake.
  • Technology - As the ability to reach citizens relies more on technology, LWV-Wake must adapt and invest in technology that allows us to educate, organize and activate in order to advocate more effectively. 
To learn more about our sponsorship levels and to register, click on the link below:
 
 
 

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LWV-Wake Strategic Plan Report Now Available
After six months of brainstorming discussions, rounds of decision-making and walls filled with paper and sticky notes, the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan Report has been completed. This report is an update to our 2017-2022 plan and is available here:
 
 
Our strategic planning process was facilitated by our immediate past president and LWVUS board member, Dianna Wynn. Dianna provided her consultant services and created this report as an in-kind donation. Dianna is a communications consultant, former college professor and author.
 
The LWV-Wake Board of Directors is responsible for implementing the plan, with the assistance of our members. All of our work is mission-driven and will serve to meet the goals and objectives outlined in this plan. We are extremely grateful for Dianna's contribution!

Upcoming LWV-Wake Events
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League Lit November 2022
  • August 10th 11am - Anna Julia Cooper Gravesite Trip & Lunch - League members and their guests will visit the gravesite of Anna Julia Cooper at the City Cemetery of Raleigh and learn the highlights of her accomplishments. After the visit, we will meet for lunch at a downtown restaurant. For more details and to register, click here.
  • September 14th 10am - Pauli Murray Exhibit at the NC Museum of History Field Trip & Lunch - Join other Leaguers to visit the Pauli Murray exhibition at the NC Museum of History. After the tour, we will gather for lunch at one of the restaurants across the walkway. For more details and to register, click here.
  • September 15th 2pm - League Lit - Will discuss The Women They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore. For more information and to register, click here. 
  • November 17th 2pm - League Lit - Will discuss Pelosi by Molly Ball. For more information and to register, click here. 

LWVNC Events
To see all upcoming LWVNC sponsored events, please view their Events Calendar
 
 

Women & Children First? Project
The News & Observer is examining poverty among single mothers in a series of articles and events that will be presented over the next few months. Their project, Women & Children First?, brings together advocates, public policy experts and others in an effort to identify state and local government policies that can be enacted to assist families in need. The project also serves as a platform for single mothers to share their stories and describe the challenges of providing basic necessities for their children. 
 
According to the News & Observer, over 1 in 3 of the state’s 1.2 million families are single mothers with children under age 18 living below the federal poverty line.

The poverty rates for Black, Hispanic and American Indian women, are roughly twice the rate for white and Asian women, according to the N.C. Tax and Budget Center report, “Status of Women in North Carolina: Poverty & Opportunity.”
 
A recent panel event, held on August 4th, included: N.C. House Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons (Guilford County), Heba Atwa, advocacy manager with the N.C. Budget and Tax Center, and LaSherron Geddie, a 37-year-old single mother raising five children in Raleigh.
 
The panel discussed the challenges for single mothers in NC and how a decade of underfunding programs, especially the absence of Medicaid Expansion, is viewed by many as a moral and economic failure. A recording of the August 4th panel discussion can be viewed 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.
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