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Welcome New Members
Melissa Green
Michaela Joy Kraemer
Marsha Mulherin
Jean Szoko
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Up Next
Volunteer Opportunity: North City Photo ID Project
Tues., Dec. 5, noon
Volunteer Opportunity: Lunch & Lock
Weds., Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m.
Criminal Legal System Reform Task Force
Weds., Dec. 13, noon
"Red Flag" Laws and Other Sensible Solutions to Curb Gun Violence
Thurs., Dec. 14, 7 p.m.
Advocacy Committee
Mon., Dec. 18, 1 p.m.
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Committing to “Ordinary Activism”
At year’s end, I often reflect on what has been accomplished and what is yet to be done. Serving among so many amazing women on Women’s Voices’ leadership team and alongside members and supporters certainly belongs on my 2023 accomplishment list. Together we have provided outstanding educational programs, built relationships with community partners, raised our voices against many injustices in our community, and given away thousands of gun locks to protect our fellow community members. Yet, as always, there are so many social justice issues still to be resolved that at times it seems impossible that we will make lasting progress.
I recently read a classic article by Paul Lachelier, PhD, a sociologist and activist, that gave me hope about the possibility of permanent change. Lachelier makes the point that the core of our democracy is activism, yet only a certain kind of activism will have lasting results. Extraordinary acts, like marches, demonstrations, strikes, etc. demonstrate “the power of ordinary people to resist and challenge elite power.” Yet any such victory is fleeting, since after each extraordinary act, the system often simply makes a few cosmetic changes and then essentially returns to the status quo. For Lachelier, “the fact that a privileged few make the decisions that affect all our lives” is the core problem of our democracy. The solution he offers is “ordinary activism,” that is, activism that becomes an intrinsic part of our daily lives as expressed in the institutions and communities in which we live. He offers the example of a collective, employee-owned and run business as an illustration of how ordinary activism can challenge the hierarchical and unjust economic systems governing many of our workplaces today. Speaking up in our homes, schools, workplaces, places of worship, city councils, etc. and insisting on alternatives to socially unjust structures and processes is how we at Women’s Voices can demonstrate our “ordinary activism” every day.
As we look forward to continuing our work in 2024, I send you, your family and friends warm wishes for the holiday season.
Source cited: Paul Lachelier, “Making History, Making Democracy Un-Extraordinary: Harvard Students Make History.” The Radical Teacher, Fall 2002, No. 64, pp. 31-35.
~ Liz Sondhaus
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"Red Flag" Laws and Other Sensible Solutions to Curb Gun Violence | |
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Thursday, December 14, 7 p.m.
In-person program at The Center of Clayton
50 Gay Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63105
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m.
Read more and let us know you're coming here.
Can a man accused of hitting his girlfriend and threatening to shoot her be convicted of violating a federal law designed to prevent domestic abuse – or is he protected by the Second Amendment right to bear arms? The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering this case. In 2022 a former student returned to the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School with an AR-15 rifle, opened fire, killed two people, and injured seven others. His family had tried to have his gun removed, but Missouri does not have a “Red Flag” law allowing police to confiscate the gun of a person who might harm himself or others.
Can the City of St. Louis ban military grade weapons? Can St. Louis City and County block teens from openly carrying guns? Or does Missouri law prevent counties from enacting gun controls? Are there any sensible solutions to the gun violence problem in the U.S. and our metropolitan area?
Join us to hear from experts who will present the legal issues and address the domestic violence perspective.
Speakers:
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Michael A. Wolff, attorney, former Missouri Supreme Court judge and chief justice, professor emeritus and former dean, Saint Louis University Law School | |  |
Jessica Woolbright, MSW, LCSW, executive director, Saint Martha’s | | |
North City Photo ID Project | |
Tuesday, December 5, noon-2:30 p.m.
Central Reform Congregation
5020 Waterman Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108
Spots still available!
Please register here.
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Wednesday, December 6, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion
7401 Delmar Blvd.
University City, MO 63105
(Enter via red door on Jackson)
Email Laura Rose with questions about this event at lrose@womensvoicesraised.org.
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Clean Slate. Two Words. Second Chances.
Those two words also describe bipartisan legislation (a Clean Slate Act) that would make criminal record clearing automatic for certain nonviolent convictions, and would create an automated process to do so. Clean Slate bills with multiple co-sponsors are expected to be filed for Missouri's 2024 legislative session.
How often this season do we ask family members and friends, “What do you want for the holidays?” For hundreds of thousands of Missourians with criminal records, the answer is a second chance.
A criminal record, even after you have served your time and stayed out of trouble since your release, may prevent you from getting a job in your field, or maybe any job at all. 90% of employers do background checks. Women’s Voices member, Susan Glassman, has never forgotten her dismay years ago when company policy required her to turn away a qualified job applicant because of a shoplifting conviction when he had been 19. Eliminating candidates based solely on past mistakes has created a large pool of diverse talents that has essentially been taken out of circulation.
Clean Slate will give individuals more opportunities for employment. Average annual incomes have been found to rise by more than 20% after records are cleared, making it easier to support families and find adequate housing.
Businesses will be able to fill hiring shortages and expand their local workforces with people ready and eager to work.
Economists and all major Missouri chambers of commerce support Clean Slate. An analysis based on projected increases in wages after currently eligible Missourians have their records cleared shows an annual impact of $2.9 billion in increased economic activity in Missouri.
Each new year begins with hope for a fresh start. Let’s pass a Clean Slate Act in 2024 to give thousands of Missourians and their families a second chance.
Women’s Voices is a partner in the Missouri Clean Slate Campaign.
Visit our website for information about our support for this initiative. And for more information about joining the task force, contact Mary Schuman or Susan Glassman, co-chairs, at criminaljustice@womensvoicesraised.org.
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The Case for Reproductive Rights as Religious Freedom | | |
Clergy plaintiffs Jan Barnes & Cindy Bumb with speaker, Brian Silva | | |
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Brian Silva, Vice President of Outreach and Engagement for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, joined us for the November program to discuss the current status of his organization's lawsuit against the State of Missouri.
The lawsuit seeks to strike down Missouri’s abortion ban as a clear violation of the church-state separation provided in Missouri’s Constitution. Together with the National Women’s Law Center, American's United filed the suit on behalf of fourteen Missouri clergy from seven faith traditions.
Read the program summary here.
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It’s more than a magnet. Each purchase represents 18 years of women working together to advance a world that values equity and justice for all, abolishes discrimination, and protects the planet.
Your purchase of magnets will support the Women’s Voices mission:
- to identify, research and discuss critical issues;
- to mobilize, energize and inspire ourselves and others to action;
- to work as individuals and in community for social justice.
Order your magnets here today!
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Support the Ongoing Work of Women's Voices | |
As we approach the end of 2023 we are reminded just how grateful we are for your ongoing support of Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice. Much of the world around us is filled with chaos and heartache, including here in our local communities. At times it is hard to know where to start or what to do to change society for the better. Yet, your continued generosity gives me hope that we can make a difference!
If you believe in our responsibility to educate our community about critical issues impacting the quality of life of many of our citizens, including gun violence, educational inequity, systemic racism, transgender rights, climate justice, and many other issues, please make a donation today. If you support the need to go beyond education into action, please help provide the financial support needed to make this happen.
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Women's Voices Members Respond to Injustice! | | |
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Phyllis Evans, in her letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, commends Governor Parson for increasing the number of prisoners receiving pardons and encourages him to consider commuting sentences of those on death row.
Ann Mandelstamm, in her letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, thanks the paper and Tony Messenger for speaking out on the effort to bar Palestinian refugees from coming to Missouri.
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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.
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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.
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Annual Dues:
$60 (Regular Membership)
$100 (Silver Level)
$150 (Gold Level)
$20 (Student Membership)
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New members join here
Renewing members renew here or
Send a check (payable to Women's Voices) to:
Women's Voices
7401 Delmar Blvd.
University City, MO 63130
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