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Welcome New Members!
Barbara Bowser
Heather Blue
Irene Karns
Lily Overmann
Rosalind Williams
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Up Next
A Decade After “Ferguson” Improvement or Inertia?Thurs., Feb. 13
Attainable Housing Meeting
Tues., Feb. 18
Criminal Legal System Reform Meeting,
Wed., Feb. 19
What's Happening Since Amendment 3
Thur., Feb. 20
Advocacy Meeting,
Mon., Feb. 24
Reentry Resource Fair,
Thur., Feb. 27
Clean Slate Lobby Day
Weds., March 5
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I hope you are surviving this winter weather and have our next programs and events on your calendars. Each is timely considering the conversations we're hearing on a daily basis. We will celebrate Black History Month, Women's History Month and honor our WVR vision ”women working together to advance a world that values equity and justice for all, abolishes discrimination and protects the planet."
Our February program is “A Decade after “Ferguson”- Improvement or Inertia“ and March - “How did DEI Become a Dirty Word?” As an advocacy organization, it is more important than ever that we use our voices and focus on the concept that “politics is local." However, you may be thinking what can I do? I'm sharing five principles that might help each of us as we find ourselves in situations where we want to use our voice, but feel uncomfortable speaking up:
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Principle #1: Self examine - What am I asking? Do I have an agenda, trying to convince someone to change their mind, or seeking to hear the other's point of view?
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Principle #2: Be curious about what is being shared.
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Principle #3: Listen with the intent to understand the emotions behind their words.
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Principle #4: Be aware of tone and body language. Discuss neutrality.
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Principle #5 The goal is not to win an argument, but to increase awareness and accept differences.
Sometimes in conversation we may need to “agree to disagree.”
I hope to see you “in the room where it happens” for our programs.
Since we are a volunteer organization, we NEED YOU to help us to continue our advocacy and educational outreach. Please consider this as a personal invitation to become more involved. If you're not sure what's available, please contact me, Karen Francis, at: president@womensvoicesraised.org I'm always available to discuss anything you might want to do.
Your ally,
Karen Francis
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WVR February Program- A Decade After “Ferguson” Improvement or Inertia? | |
Thursday, February 13, 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 let us know you're coming here.
Speaker:
Annissa G. McCaskill, Executive Director, Forward Through Ferguson
Forward Through Ferguson (FTF) believes that one day, St. Louis can be a region that achieves Racial Equity—a state where life outcomes are no longer predictable by race. Embracing the Ferguson Commission’s mandate, FTF centers on impacted communities and mobilizes accountable bodies to advance racially equitable systems and policies that ensure all people in the St. Louis region can thrive. Learn more at Forward Through Ferguson Through Ferguson and Transforming 911.
Anissa G. McCaskill will discuss FTF signature priority areas, leadership, impact, new strategic plan, and future directions.
Photo Credit: Kevin Roberts, St. Louis Mag
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Please share among friends, but DO NOT post on social media. | | | |
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Reentry Resource Fair
Thursday, Feb. 27, 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Natural Bridge Library Branch
7606 Natural Bridge Rd
Saint Louis, MO 63121
The event is free to the public and no registration is required.
The WVR Clean Slate Committee will be sharing resources to address the needs of people returning to their communities from incarceration.
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Our Voices Support Clean Slate | |
When: Wednesday March 5 with snow date Wednesday March 12.
How: 15 passenger van leaves at 7:00 a.m. and returns by 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free! All costs of the day are covered by an Empower MO grant.
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Participants will be equipped with guidance on successful advocacy and will visit assigned legislators in pairs, offering education materials and support for Clean Slate legislation. Everyone will have time to visit their own state representatives and senators, and to marvel at our beautiful Capitol building.
Please call Rochelle Kaskowitz, 314-813-4686 or Karen Coulson, 636-544-5533 to register.
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Several “Clean Slate” bills to automate eligible criminal records expungements have been introduced this session by both Republicans and Democrats in the State Legislature. One of the Senate bills has already been heard by the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee in a public hearing on January 29. Rochelle Kaskowitz, the intrepid co-chair of the Criminal Legal System Reform Task Force (CLSR), traveled to Jefferson City and testified on behalf of Women’s Voices in support of that bill (SB 19).
YOU can help in less than 10 minutes by emailing or calling your elected representatives. Knowledge of details is not required; simply ask if she/he is aware of HB 953 or SBs 19 and 435, and let them know you support Clean Slate legislation.
Lawmakers will read and vote on hundreds of bills this session, so they need to hear from us on issues we care about. Look up your legislators here.
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Women's Voices Raised Lock It For Love Program Featured | | |
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Fox 2 News host Patrick Clark interviewed Dominique Newton, Assistant Manager at the Julia Davis Branch of the STL Public Library, about WVR free gun lock program, Lock It For Love.
Watch the interview here.
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One section of the proposed new MetroLink expansion line is currently planned to run street level on the northern border of the National Historic District of the majority Black Jeff-Vander Lou neighborhood, that will have a negative impact on the integrity of their historic neighborhood. The Coalition has asked us to take immediate action to support their effort.
Please choose one or more of the following actions:
For more information, visit the Coalition of St. Louis Citizens Against the Green Line.
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January Program highlights: Make a Difference in Someone’s Life: Be a Mentor | |
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In the January program Stephanie McCreary, chief purpose officer of Oasis Institute, educated us about the organization’s programs that match area seniors with two different mentoring youth opportunities.
Oasis mentoring involves, not academics, but becoming a role model, supporter, advocate and friend to a young person. It includes cultivating a healthy relationship that provides guidance, motivation and support for the mentee’s personal development.
Based in St Louis, the program is now active in 23 cities, with over 2700 tutors serving in 440+ schools. But the need is staggering. Two out of every 10 students in the US enter kindergarten with skills 2-3 years below their age level. Read more on our website.
Those interested in learning more about becoming a tutor within these programs can contact Stephanie McCreary at smccreary@oasisnet.org or 314-687-1122.
Watch the recorded program here.
View the program slides here.
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45th Anniversary of the Organization of Black Struggle | |
On Saturday January 25, The Organization For Black Struggle held their 45th Anniversary celebration. Thanks to Anne Litwin and Liz Sondhaus, Women's Voices Raised For Social Justice sponsored a table and several WVR members attended.
The evening started with a drum call (see photo). We sang the Black National Anthem (Lift Every Voice and Sing) and recognized those who have gone before us in the struggle. Anyone who was running for political office was recognized.
We had a wonderful meal and an excellent inspirational guest speaker, professor Robin D.G. Kelly from UCLA. He talked about a movement with a vision of what we want, not just who we are against. He cautioned that we must not expect immediate results. His thought of working people all over the world demanding and getting their fair share of pay and profit was motivating. The evening ended with a Q&A session. In all, a wonderful celebration.
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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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