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Greetings Women’s Voices Members, Supporters and Friends!
September is a month of change - summer ends and autumn begins; children are leaving community pools and returning to classrooms; the oppressively sultry weather is (hopefully) going to be getting a bit cooler; the colors of summer flowers are going to fade as the reds and oranges of fall foliage become more vibrant.
Change can be, and usually is, very uncomfortable and difficult. However, it is an irrefutable necessity of life. All of us must change physically, mentally and emotionally as the months and years pass from infancy to older adulthood. As this slow metamorphosis occurs, our only options are to determine how we will respond to these inevitable transformations. Will we adapt and thrive, or resist change and stagnate?
Gerontologist Stephanie Rogers, M.D., Assistant Professor of Geriatrics at University of California San Francisco School of Medicine recommends that, as we age, we avoid getting too comfortable. Continually pushing ourselves physically, cognitively and socially facilitates healthy aging. This process involves embracing challenges that cause a manageable amount of discomfort (not extreme pain, unbearable stress or psychological harm). Adopting a “growth mindset” as we pursue these challenges, enables us to understand that, as we are struggling with new tasks, we are helping our brains, bodies and social connections to grow stronger. Anything we do that will get us out of our comfort zones will help us improve the aging process, but we have to continually push out of our cocoons to achieve the most benefit. This is true for people of any age,
by the way!
In our current political climate, it is so easy to think of things to be afraid of, complain about, and become enraged over while sitting on the couch and watching TV. This reminds me of the old joke about everyone complaining about the weather, but no one doing anything about it. Feeling upset but not actively doing anything to change the situation is an example of stagnating by not pushing out of your comfort zone. Now is the time to challenge yourself andbecome involved. Women’s Voices Raised provides many opportunities to
engage with others, get involved or learn something new. Through this monthly newsletter and our website you can learn more about our activities.
Women’s Voices Raised is currently going through a difficult change. For 11 years we have distributed free gun locks and provided gun safety information to the St. Louis community through our Lock It for Love program. However, we had to make the unfortunate and painful decision to pause the program at this time.
Despite the efforts of the Board and those volunteers who have been administering LIFL for many years, we have been unable to find replacements to fill the following key roles:
- A committee chairperson for LIFL who sits on the Board and coordinates with the LIFL volunteers
- A person who tracks the inventory of gun locks and follows-up with the libraries and organizations to whom we distribute the locks
- A person to assure volunteers are available to staff events where locks are handed out
It is my sincere hope that we will be able to find volunteers who are as passionate about gun safety as the wonderful women who held those positions for many years. I appreciate the work that they did to keep LIFL going. Thank you Melissa, Pat, Joanie, Laura, Linda and all of the amazing Gun Lock Ladies!
Please contact me with any questions, suggestions and comments at president@womensvoicesraised.org or leave a message for me at (314) 730-0471.
Alone, my voice seems small and faint, but when we put our voices together, we ROAR!
Your ally,
Jean Calandrino
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Thursday, September 10, 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.
Let us know you're coming here.
What if St. Louis had an attainable housing option for medium to low-wage workers, young professionals, and people transitioning out of being unhoused? Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, sponsor of this newly approved Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing concept will discuss how SROs are helping cities address rising rents, limited attainable housing, and growing housing insecurity.
Speaker: Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier is a public servant, mental health advocate, and community organizer who has represented St. Louis’s Seventh Ward on the Board of Aldermen since April 2023. Sonnier has built a legislative record centered on housing stability, tenant protection, and support for the city’s most vulnerable residents. Sonnier is driven by the conviction that basic needs -including housing- are human rights, that a healthy, thriving family life should not be an inaccessible luxury, and that lasting change requires building a St. Louis that works for #ALLNotSome, not just those who already have a secure place in it.
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Get November Election Ready: Registration, Election Info & More!
Tuesday, September 1
1:00 p.m.
Mirowitz Center
8 Millstone Campus Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146-6604
Register Here
Get ready to vote with confidence! Nationally recognized attorney Denise Lieberman discusses Missouri’s voting process, including registration basics, important deadlines, voter ID requirements, absentee voting, and different ways to cast your ballot. In addition, Denise will explore accessibility resources for voters, offer practical tips for spotting misinformation, and explain where to find trustworthy election information.
Program co-sponsored by the Mirowitz Center, Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, and Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice.
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Private Tour of the Old Courthouse
Saturday, September 26
11:00 a.m.
The Old Courthouse
11 N 4th
St. Louis, MO 63102
4th and Market Street
Register Here.
Join us for a private, ranger-led tour of St. Louis’s recently renovated Old Courthouse. featuring its historic architecture, courtroom history, and the stories of Dred and Harriet Scott.
Following the 30-minute tour, we will remain at the courthouse to explore and reflect on the rich history and legacy of the Scotts, whose freedom suits helped shape the course of American history.
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The More You Know: Understanding The November 3rd Ballot
Tuesday September 29
7:00 p.m.
Congregation Shaare Emeth
11645 Ladue Rd
St. Louis, MO 63141
The upcoming November 3 election will include several important ballot measures that could have a significant impact on Missourians.
Amendment 3 would repeal the reproductive-rights amendment approved by voters in 2024, largely ban abortion again, and constitutionally prohibit gender-affirming medications and surgeries for minors.
The November ballot should also include the People Not Politicians redistricting referendum and the Respect MO Voters initiative petition Missouri’s citizen initiative process.
Gain the knowledge you need to make an informed decision on these important ballot measures before you enter the voting booth.
This program is co-sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church, Parkway United Church of Christ, NCJWSTL, Women's Voices Raised For Social Justice, League of Women Voters and JCRCSTL.
Registration information coming soon.
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Story In The Public Square: Understanding the Real Challenges to Voting Rights
Friday, October 2
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel
100 South Taylor Ave.
Kirkwood, MO 63122
Register here.
The next film in our social justice film series is an episode from the PBS show Story in the Public Square. After the film Eric Fey, Democratic Director of Elections for St. Louis County and Rick Stream, Republican Director of Elections for St. Louis County will lead a discussion.
The event is co-sponsored by Women's Voices Raised For Social Justice and Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel.
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Dr. Janet Shibley Hyde, author of the book The Psychology Of Gun Violence – How Smart Choices Can Save Lives
Over 120 Americans die daily from gun violence and another 200 are wounded. The country has more guns than people and our rate of gun homicides is 26 times that of other wealthy countries. Guns have now surpassed auto accidents as the leading cause of death for those under 18.
Here at home, Missouri has among the weakest gun laws in the country. Since 2017, the state has allowed people to carry concealed, loaded firearms in public without a background check or permit. There is no requirement for a license and no minimum age requirement to buy a gun. Not surprisingly, Missouri has among the highest rates of gun homicide in the country.
Dr. Hyde’s proposed solution involves pairing science with psychology to transform attitudes, much like the movements to reduce smoking and to enhance auto safety. Shifting the conversation from the rights of gun owners to the rights of the rest of us to live in safety.
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Missouri Expungement Options & 3 Daughters and 1,000 Sons Success Stories
On August 25, Women’s Voices members and guests heard from passionate activist Sandra Keely, who founded and leads 3 Daughters and 1000 Sons, a Missouri nonprofit organization that helps eligible individuals get arrests and convictions removed from public records.
Sandra’s organization offers twice monthly workshops to explain how to file a petition and what to expect at every step along the way to make the process less intimidating.
There are some 500,000 people in Missouri who qualify for having their criminal records – convictions and arrests — closed to the public. Historically, only about 1% have received relief. Most eligible individuals are unaware of their rights or overwhelmed by the process and the cost. As Sandra says on her organization’s website, “Our mission is simple: no one should be locked out of a second chance because of cost, confusion, or lack of support.”
Watch the recorded program here.
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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 - Civic Voice (Standard Membership)
$100 - Equity Steward
$150 - People’s Advocate
$20 - Justice Supporter (Student/CommunityMembership)
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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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