Greetings!

Happy spring! Every day the day gets longer, and every day we reach a higher vaccination threshold. It's time for our annual meeting, so we're exploring outdoor options this year for an in-person event! Save June 17 on your calendar and stay tuned!

There's a lot going on now that the legislation session is in full gear. Please review the list of important dates and read more about them below.
Important Dates:

5/20: Transportation and Climate Initiative
4:00 - 5:00pm
More info below

5/24: The Race to Zero Emissions: MA Next Generation Climate Law
4:00pm

5/24: State Redistricting Hearing, CD-2
5:30pm
More info below

6/8: Mindful of Race Program begins
6:30 - 8:00pm
More info below

6/17: LWFC Annual Meeting
6:00pm
Save the date!

6/24: 2021 LWVMA Convention—“Expanding the Table: Making Democracy Work for Everyone”
Mindful of Race

This 8-week program is for white people looking to understand and dismantle the white supremacist structures of our society and expand their comfort with having conversations about race. We will read the book Mindful of Race by Ruth King. Participants are asked to commit to attending all eight sessions, which will be held on Tuesday evenings over Zoom, from 6:30 to 8 pm, starting June 8. Limited to 12 participants. Register by emailing LWVFC here.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative: Improving The Regional Economy and Health For All
Thursday, May 20, 2021
4:00 - 5:00pm 

LWVMA is pleased to announce this important, multi-state webinar on the Transportation and Climate Initiative and implications of TCI in our respective states and for the country! Join League members from CT, RI and MA, and advocates and experts on TCI for this special, tri-state League sponsored event to learn how we can all help reduce pollution while investing equitably in modern, clean, regional transportation solutions.
Special Joint Committee on Redistricting Public Hearing
Congressional District 2

Monday, May 24, 5:30pm

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting has started holding hearings to collect public input for drawing maps for Congressional, state legislator, and Governor Council districts. The hearings are being organized by Congressional districts. The hearing for Congressional District 2, currently represented by US Rep. Jim McGovern, will be held on Monday, May 24, at 5:30 pm. 
 
While the hearings are being held by Congressional District, the Committee wants to hear from the public regarding redistricting for the state level districts in addition to the Congressional districts. In particular, the Committee wants to hear about specific insights about your local community such as highlighting racial, ethnic, or language groups, school districts, transportation hubs, commercial districts, watersheds, and other communities of interest that should be considered in redistricting. Oral testimony is limited to 3 minutes (they cut off the video exactly at 3 minutes). You can submit written testimony, too.

We encourage you to publicize the hearing, listen to the hearing, or provide either written or oral testimony. Guidance and talking points are available! Click here to sign up to testify or get the link to watch the hearing.
It's been a long year of social distancing, virtual meetings, virtual living. We're very much looking forward to seeing your faces in the flesh, and thrilled at the prospect of an in-person annual meeting. We'll let you know the details soon.

There's also some real business to address: the board has updated our bylaws to remove gendered language, and now it's up to you, our membership, to vote on it. In preparation, you can find the bylaws draft here.

It's also time for board and officer elections. Are you interested in leading or joining the board? We'd love to have you! Nominate yourself or let us know if you have a recommendation—many hands make light work!
In League,

Marie Gauthier, President
Nicole Moore, Vice President
Marge Michalski, Treasurer
Laura Luker, Secretary
Jean Cherdack, Director
Christine Turner, Director
Joannah Whitney, Director