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Welcome New Members!
Julie Brandenberg
Mary Gorman
Marta Gray
Glenna Hare-Waldholtz
Julie Johnson
Elizabeth Klein
Pamela Mack
Maggy Malcolm
Maryellen Picker
Rebecca Rogers
Lindsey Rohlman
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Words from Our Vice-President | |
Happy holidays Women’s Voices members, supporters and friends!
As the end of 2024 draws near, I’ve been reflecting on my approaching one-year anniversary as a WV board member. During this time, I have met many intelligent, passionate and dedicated people who not only believe in the importance of social justice, but are willing to do the hard, and sometimes frustrating, work necessary to achieve it. I especially admire all of the women on the board because they truly care about each other, our community and our mission. Although there are occasionally disagreements, everyone’s voice is heard and respected. This is an incredible group and I’m proud to be a member of it!
Welcome all of our new members! Please explore the Women’s Voices website at to learn more about our activities, upcoming events, “field trips,” etc. I hope you consider joining one of our committees to become actively involved in our work. I look forward to meeting or seeing you in person at one of the monthly Thursday night programs like the one on December 12, “Silencing Gun Violence: A Community Collaboration." If your membership has expired, this is a great time to renew it!
Please consider making an end-of-year donation to Women’s Voices Raised in order to strengthen our ability to advocate, educate and fight for equity and justice, abolish discrimination and protect our planet. These objectives will be in peril soon, so we need your support now!
I am saddened to report that our organizational manager, Laura Rose, will be leaving her position in Women’s Voices in mid-December. For the last seven years, she has done most of the behind-the-scenes work for our organization. Although several people have stepped up to help “fill her shoes," no one can replace her. Thank you, Laura, for everything you’ve done for Women’s Voices and for the board!
Feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or suggestions at vpres@womensvoicesraised.org.
Jean Calandrino, PhD
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WVR December Program
Silencing Gun Violence: A Community Collaboration
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Thursday, December 12, 7 p.m.
Center of Clayton
50 Gay Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63105
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m.
Read more and register here.
The St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission (VPC) works to reduce violent crime by promoting coordinated, well-resourced policies, support systems, and interventions among institutions serving those most at risk.
VPC’s public health approach to violence prevention employs an “upstream model” that examines how social determinants of health – the conditions of where a person lives, learns, plays, and works - affect their likelihood of involvement with violence.
Their public health strategy includes elements like greening of vacant lots which can be hot spots for violence, helping high-need individuals find employment through jobs programs, expanding free or low-cost early childhood education, and addressing community trauma and toxic stress with mental health programs.
A collaboration of over 75 government and nonprofit organizations, the commission includes social services, schools, government, research, workforce development, mental health, and other sectors. Join us to hear insights into the commission’s workings and ways citizens can support their work to minimize gun violence.
Speakers:
Jessica Meyers, director, St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission
Justin Mosley, project director, St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission
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Everyone Deserves a Second Chance | 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. | |
Behind every criminal record is a person with hopes, dreams, and the potential to contribute to society. However, having 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, finding adequate housing, and supporting your family.
500,000 Missourians with criminal records are eligible under current state law to have certain nonviolent misdemeanor and felony records sealed. However, the existing process is costly and complex, and only 1-2% succeed each year. A solution is on the horizon.
Bipartisan legislation (a Clean Slate Act) will again be filed by multiple sponsors for Missouri’s 2025 legislative session. A Clean Slate Act would make criminal record clearing automatic for certain nonviolent convictions, and would create an automated process to do so.
Clean Slate will give individuals more opportunities for legitimate employment and stable housing. After records are sealed, average annual incomes have been found to rise by more than 20%. Additionally, recidivism rates fall, making communities safer.
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.
Each new year begins with hope for a fresh start. Passage of a Clean Slate Act in 2025 will give thousands of Missourians and their families hope -- and a second chance.
Women’s Voices is a partner in the Missouri Clean Slate Campaign.
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November Program highlights - Wash U Owes U | |
At the November Women’s Voices program, Blue Ehrenstrom, a 2021 Wash U graduate, joined a St. Louis Public Schools Parent Action Council (SLPS PAC) member and district parent to share information outlining the necessity of the work being done by the SLPS PAC to financially strengthen local schools.
Public schools in St. Louis, like all public schools, mainly rely on property taxes to fund their operations and to educate local children. However, tax-exempt institutions such as universities and hospitals are not required to pay those taxes which support nearby school systems. In many other cities, universities with large endowment funds have agreed to participate in a Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program in which they contribute a very small percentage of this endowed money to their local school districts.
Washington University, on the other hand, which currently has an endowment worth $14 BILLION, contributes zero dollars in PILOTs payments! This is despite the fact that the SLPS system continues to face a funding crisis. The SLPS PAC is working to change that by organizing the community to pressure WU to contribute their fair share (approximately 0.001% of the endowment).
View the program slides here.
Community members can take action by asking Andrew Martin, chancellor of Wash U, to contribute approximately 0.001% of Wash U’s endowment to the PILOTs fund for St. Louis public schools.
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Volunteer Opportunity: Gun Lock Bundling | |
Friday, December 6, 11:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Webster Hills United Methodist Church
McKelvey Room
698 W. Lockwood Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63119
Use entrance on Lockwood COURT.
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It’s more than a magnet. Each purchase represents 19 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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Join Our Communications Team – Volunteer with Us! | |
We’re looking for passionate individuals to join our Communications Team to help with our newsletter and website.
What we’re looking for:
- volunteers with an interest in communications, editing, marketing, and social media
- flexible hours – volunteer from home at times that fit your schedule
- experience with Constant Contact and WordPress is helpful but not required
You can help us spread the word, amplify our mission, and inspire action! If you’re eager to contribute your skills, contact Michele Steinberg at membership@womensvoicesraised.org.
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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 us about the newsletter.
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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
698 W. Lockwood Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63119
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