An update for League friends and subscribers. | Important Community Dates | LWV-BMC Public Events
Other Public Events
| | A New Take on Women's Equality Day | | On August 26, people across the nation observed Women's Inequality Day. The League partnered with allies across the equal rights space to create a video and tweet demanding that our representatives:
- Pass voting rights legislation
- Add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution
- Restore reproductive freedom to women and those who can become pregnant
Take a stand by sharing these videos, or your own message, across social media with hashtag #WomensInequalityDay. We may not be equal yet, but together we cannot be ignored. | | | A Student's Perspective on Voting | | In our August podcast, we welcome Annika Evenson of Brown County. Annika is the winner of the League of Women Voters Brown County 2022 voter turnout essay contest. Annika placed first in the high school category of the contest. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Brown County High School. She is currently enrolled at the University of Evansville in exercise science with direct admission to their physical therapy program. In the podcast, she talks about the biggest roadblocks to voting, how to encourage more people to vote, and why voters are disconnected from the voting process. - Becky Hill and Jim Allison | | | | Climate Change: What You Can Do Now | | The historic Inflation Reduction Act, recently signed into law by President Biden, includes sweeping climate and clean energy policies that are estimated to achieve 40% emissions reduction by 2030. But we still need an “all hands on deck” approach to keep the momentum going toward the urgently needed goal of 50% reductions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Here are two great opportunities for League members and other Indiana citizens to become more informed and engaged at the state level. - Kristina Lindborg | | The Indiana Climate Policy Conference will take place on Friday, September 16, 10:00 – 4:00, at the Indiana Interchurch Center in Indianapolis. This event is co-hosted by the amazing high school group Confront the Climate Crisis and Earth Charter Indiana, with the purpose of facilitating conversation among a variety of stakeholders on the development of state-level climate solutions. This will be a day of education and networking, with presentations by Indiana experts on innovative climate solutions. Several League members from across the state are already registered to attend, and you can register here, too. Click here for the conference schedule and list of presentations. | | | | Carbon Neutral Indiana: A Practical Guide to Climate Optimism is a new book by Daniel Poynter, of Carbon Neutral Indiana. The book includes over 60 inspiring stories of Hoosier entrepreneurs reducing carbon emissions. It also includes a directory of 50 organizations, 20 bills, and 16 how-to guides so readers can implement solutions in their households, organizations, and cities. Indiana State Senator Jim Merritt says, “Carbon Neutral Indiana: A Practical Guide to Climate Optimism is all about solutions and opportunities. It provides a roadmap that can benefit all Hoosiers.” You can order the book here, or you are most welcome to borrow a copy by contacting us at climate@lwv-bmc.org. | | | | A New Light Exposes Gerrymandering | In a recent Washington Post article, the subject of gerrymandering is thoroughly reviewed and put in the context of current technology. According to the article, "the [new] technology has persuaded judges to throw out gerrymandered maps in several states, including New York and Ohio. And it will be part of a case before the Supreme Court in October that could play a role in the 2024 election and the future of voting rights." - Jim Allison
| | League Offers Voting Information and Registration at Pridefest |  | | LWV-BMC members Deborah Meader (l) and Laura Rusk (r). |  | | LWV-BMC members Deborah Meader (l) and Monica Clemons (r). | | |
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League members were out in force to talk to voters at Pridefest on August 27 in Bloomington. Members attending included Monica Clemons, Vickie Dacey, Nancy Goswami, Kaye Hill, Deborah Meader, Laura Rusk, Ralf Shaw, and April Wilson. Much of the information at the table was new to many of the table visitors. For example, many were not aware of the League's VOTE411 site, which not only provides general voter information but also information on candidates and elections.
According to Laura, a student at Indiana University: "It was delightful to be a part of Pridefest and have the opportunity to talk to people about voting. I had the opportunity to register a first-time Indiana voter, and she was so thankful that we were there to help her. Several people hadn’t thought about whether their voter information was up-to-date until we had asked them if they were registered to vote, so we were able to help them update their information on site. Everyone was so kind and many people expressed their gratitude for the League." – Monica Clemons and Kaye Hill | | Learn About Issues Affecting Lake Michigan | The LWV Lake Michigan Region includes representatives of LWVs in Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Last year, the group surveyed representatives from each of the four member states, surrounding Lake Michigan, to determine which topics related to the preservation and protection of Lake Michigan were of most interest. With those results in mind, they have prepared a series of programs, with each program devoted to a different state.
Beginning on Thursday, September 8, 2022, and for the next three Thursday evenings, they will offer a program, via Zoom, to educate members and the public about the issues impacting Lake Michigan, in each of the four states. These programs are complimentary and open to the public. The Indiana program is on Thursday, September 8, 8:30-9:45 p.m. ET. Topics include climate change, PFAS, invasive species, coal ash. Click here to register.
Please share this information with fellow League members, your colleagues, family, and friends. | | BHARC Requests Donations, Volunteers | The Bloomington Housing Authority's Resident Council (BHARC) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization run for tenants of BHA by tenants of BHA. Wonder Woman is their woman's health fair. It is a women-only event, but they welcome men's help and support. They want this to be a safe place for the women in our community to get resources, support, and/or just have a fun kid free time in a safe environment! (They provide free childcare during the event.)
The event is scheduled for October 15, tentatively at Ferguson Crestmont Boys and Girls Club gym, hours TBD. They need donations of gift cards, gift baskets, jewelry, cash, etc., and volunteers to help set up, host a table or two, and help with tear down and cleaning. If you are interested, contact April Clark-Mermoud, bharc.vp.acm@gmail.com.
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