Loud & Clear
December 2022
Welcome New Members

Toni Chavers
Words from Our President
As the end of the year approaches, I want to express how very grateful I am for all of our Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice members and supporters. Your help is vital to the important work we do. We do our work for the many people who still suffer under oppressive systems and policies and for the many victims of tragic gun violence in our community and across the nation. 

We accomplished a great deal in 2022, including: 
  • Engaged the community at free educational programs on vital issues: domestic violence prevention, voting rights, criminal legal reform, women’s economic self-sufficiency, transgender discrimination and reckoning with enslavement’s legacy 
  • Distributed gun safety information and more than 7,800 gun locks through our Lock It for Love program
  • Promoted racial justice through a comprehensive program that included a series of Lunch & Learn sessions and partnerships with local organizations
  • Encouraged voters to head to the polls on November 8 through an extensive postcard mailing campaign
  • Joined area organizations for the Interfaith Gun Safety Initiative to end gun violence in St. Louis beginning with an Interfaith Vigil to Save Children’s Lives 

Looking forward to 2023, we know that our commitment to economic and racial justice, voting rights, criminal legal system reform, educational equity, reproductive justice and so many other critical issues must continue. 

The Women’s Voices Annual Campaign provides the funding needed to make our vital work possible. If you believe children in every community deserve equal education, that families should have adequate health care, that children should be safe from gun violence, that women deserve the right to make decisions about their own bodies, that all community members should have access to attainable housing and transportation, please make a donation today. 


Your contributions will help us continue to speak out and fight for policies that protect the most vulnerable, ensure equity and justice for all, and respect the dignity of all people. With our voices raised together, we do make a difference!

~ Liz Sondhaus
Today is Giving Tuesday – the Global Day of Giving
Please help us reach or surpass our goal of 40 donations on #GivingTuesday!! 
 
Here is how you can support Women's Voices:

> Donate! If you are in the position to give even a small donation, we would be very grateful.
 
> Share! Please share one or two posts on your social media (Instagram and Facebook) to help amplify our message and outreach.
 
> Connect! We will highlight some of our key partners, especially from 2022 in our posts. Learn more about their ongoing efforts and support them as you are able.
Book Banning: What's Happening and What You Can Do
Wednesday, November 30
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Virtual Event

Learn about the latest on efforts to ban books in Missouri and what actions you can take to fight these efforts.

Featured speakers:
Jill Schupp, State Senator
Melissa Corey, Missouri Association of School Librarians
Margaret Conroy, Executive Director of Daniel Boone Regional Library System
Lunch & Learn with St. Louis Post-Dispatch executive editor, Alan Achkar
Thursday, December 1, noon
Virtual Program
Women's Voices knows that a robust, inquisitive free press is vital to our democracy and that coverage of local and regional events is necessary to create community and enhance civic life. Today, new platforms and delivery are rapidly changing in terms of what and to what extent matters are covered. Join us for a conversation with St. Louis Post-Dispatch executive editor, Alan Achkar, when he will discuss his new role and the future of the paper.
Gun Violence: Caring for Trauma Victims
Thursday, December 8, 7 p.m.
In-person program at The Center of Clayton
50 Gay Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63105
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a mask will be required for entry.
The U.S. is a nation dealing with trauma from gun violence. An Everytown for Gun Safety survey showed that the U.S. gun death rate is 13 times that of other high-income countries. The crisis is even more profound in the City of St. Louis, with just four zip codes accounting for nearly half of the city’s homicides and nearly one-third of all aggravated assaults with a firearm in 2017, according to the Gifford’s Law Center. What can be done to address this senseless violence in our community?

At the December program, we’ll hear from Barnes-Jewish hospital trauma surgeon, Dr. Maggie Spruce, adjunct instructor of surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, who will address the prevalence of gunshot wounds that has created a public health crisis. Sean Marz, from Alive and Well Communities, will describe the benefits of trauma-informed care for gun violence survivors.
Membership Minute
November Program Highlights Mental Health Resources
Jessie Brown discussed the overall challenges faced by those with mental health conditions, as well as the services available at National Alliance on Mental Illness St. Louis, including crisis intervention training, seminars and support groups for those.   
 
Jennifer Higginbotham described the opportunities available to clubhouse members through the Independence Center's evidence-based clubhouse model of integrated mental health care. 
 
Clubhouse member Brian shared his personal story about how clubhouse membership has had a significant impact on his life. 
 
January Program to Focus on Chilling Effect of Extremism
“The Big Chill” will be the topic of the Women’s Voices program on Thursday, January 12, reflecting not only the probable winter temperature but also the chilling effect of current extremism and fundamentalism in our society. Speaker will be Dr. Marie Griffith, who directs the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. Dr. Griffith’s research and writing focuses on American Christianity, including the changing profile of American evangelicals and ongoing conflicts over gender, sexuality and marriage. 
Women's Voices Members Respond to Injustice!
Lise Bernstein, in her letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, writes that we need to let Secretary of State Ashcroft know that we oppose the proposed rule that would censor librarians and infringe on our right to free speech.

Pamella Gronemeyer, in her letter to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, writes that the local Illinois vote suggests Medicare for All is popular.
Have something to submit for Loud & Clear?

Loud & Clear is the official monthly e-newsletter of Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice and is usually distributed on the first Monday or Tuesday of the month. The general deadline for article submission is the Wednesday prior to publication. Click here to contact editor Laura Rose.
Membership Info
Even if you can’t come to meetings or become personally involved, your membership is important…and greatly appreciated.

Benefits of Membership
When you join Women’s Voices you:
  • Make our voice stronger when we advocate with elected officials.
  • Provide support to the organization by adding your name to our advocacy efforts.
  • Provide ideas and suggestions to help determine how to define our positions and choose our causes.
  • Participate in advocacy activities in any way that you want or is possible for you.
  • Take pride in your affiliation with a strong, progressive group of women working for social justice.
  • Help cover our administrative and outreach costs through your dues.
Annual Dues:

$60 (Regular Membership)
$100 (Silver Level)
$150 (Gold Level)
$20 (Student Membership)
Send a check (payable to Women's Voices) to: 

Women's Voices
7401 Delmar Blvd. 
University City, MO 63130