October 2024
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| | President's Message
from
Emily Bridson | | | | What a day! I was fortunate to attend our annual Running & Winning program at Pueblo High School on September 24th. Local women, who are elected officials, shared inspiring stories of why they decided to run for office to more than 50 teenage girls. These juniors and seniors were engaged and ready to learn. I am so excited to see if they will volunteer for a campaign or attend a local city council or school board meeting to take the next step into the world of public policy.
A special thank you to Committee Chair Isabel Georgelos, and her team, who planned, prepared, and created a special day for all. If you have been considering volunteering with us, this is just one amazing example of the power of the LWVGT and its members in action.
Over the last month, many forums and educational events have been held to provide non-partisan information to our community. I spoke to a local school board member and she said her candidate forum was the only one held this year for her race. I was able to watch it live on Facebook and it definitely taught me so much about Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) and the challenges it faces. Public schools need our support and proper funding to ensure educational opportunities for all students. The LWVGT plays a valuable role in hosting forums such as these, as local news reporting continues to dwindle.
| Please visit our website, lwvtucson.org, and log in to review the events calendar and join us. We also have virtual meetings if you are currently in a different city or prefer to learn at home.
In a week or so, expect a letter in your mailbox that was assembled by our hard-working office volunteers. I am humbly asking for your support of our efforts by a gift to our Greater Tucson League. A gift to our 501c4 will allow us to fund our most pressing needs, such as advocacy efforts, and serving underrepresented communities.
In addition, we know that women’s rights are at great risk and we have to do everything we can. There has never been a more critical time to support the great work that the LWVGT does every single day. I thank you in advance.
With only five weeks to Election Day, we can all do something. Please join us as we fight for a more equitable world for all.
Thank you for all you do,
Emily Bridson
LWVGT President
| | | | President-Elect's Message
from
Betsy Boggia | | | I continue to be so impressed with the breadth of work the LWVGT does and the vital role we play in our community. To that end, I want to alert everyone that in the coming weeks the Nominating Committee will be reaching out to members to gauge interests and share opportunities to be more involved in the LWVGT. You may receive a phone call or email from one of the committee members, so please feel free to have a conversation or to reply, even if you are not able to take on a specific role at this time. It helps us when we have a better understanding of our members’ concerns and interests, and we can update your profile to reflect both. As a reminder, the LWVGT is run and supported by volunteers, so it is the generous gifts of both time and money that allows us to do the important work we do.
Thanks to all,
Betsy Boggia
LWVGT President-Elect
| League of Women Voters US
Celina Stewart, CEO
&
Washington Mystics (WNBA) | | Editor's note: I was watching a Washington Mystics basketball game on TV, and suddenly I realized our new CEO was being interviewed!
She explained how LWVUS and the Washington Mystics have teamed up this election year (you can read more about that HERE). She also promoted VOTE411.
| | | LWVGT Members
and
Community Engagement
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Outreach Tabling
September 14, 2024 | | Members of the DEI Outreach Tabling Subcommittee attended the 16th annual Mentoring and Mixing event at the University of Arizona. This annual event is sponsored by the Black Community Council (BCC), and welcomes Black students and other students attending the U of A.
What we found were young men and women who were not familiar with LWVGT and who asked many questions such as: "Can I change my residency?" "Where can I find out about local candidates?" "Does the LWVGT have interns?" and from the office of Africana Studies Program: "Can you offer in-person voter registration instructions and emphasize the importance of voting?" We found genuine interest in what we do. | | | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Outreach Tabling
September 28, 2024 | | Members of the DEI Outreach Tabling Subcommittee attended the Pascua Yaqui Get Out the Vote Rally.
| | | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Toured the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center
September 19th, 2024
| Members of the DEI Committee heard an excellent presentation on the history of Chinese immigration and contributions to Tucson. You can learn about this history at TCCC history. Our thanks to Sandy Chan!
Check out TCCC events on their webpage TCCC.
| | September 5th, 2024
Arizona Town Hall: Voting and Elections in Arizona
Voter registration table | | | | September 14th, 2024
The Truth Above Everything Else
Three panelists from the event, which was very well attended.
Jeannine Reily (back to camera), Yotam Shmargad, and Kate Kenski.
| | | | Arizona 2024 Ballot Propositions Information!
You'll find a link to the document (in English or Spanish) on the LWVGT home page.
Still have questions? Join LWVAZ for an informational Zoom meeting on October 15th, 2024. To join the meeting, register here.
| | | |
Ready. Set. Vote! is a service of the
League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson
You can find the Election Calendar for 2024, redistricting changes, voter registration links, and so much more!
| | | VOTE411 is a national website that is run by the League of Women Voters to provide country-wide, non-partisan election information. You can access the website from any device and it is available 24/7.
Simply enter VOTE411 into your browser or click here VOTE411 and bookmark it.
| Running & Winning Committee
Pueblo High School
Tuesday, September 24th
| Each year, in the fall semester, LWVGT conducts Running & Winning, a one-day workshop for junior and senior girls at a Tucson area high school. The American Association of University Women and the YWCA of Southern Arizona co-sponsor the event.
Running & Winning aims to foster participants’ leadership skills and interest in public service. The students have a unique opportunity to learn from women who have served as elected officials, plan a campaign, and participate in a mock election.
KVOA stopped by and you can read their story HERE.
| | A diverse group of women, who have been elected to public office, attended the event. The junior and senior high school girls who signed up to participate spent time with these elected officials, asked them questions, and got a start on networking. In the afternoon, each table of 4-6 girls were guided by a facilitator and prepared a mock campaign. They chose a member to be a candidate for office, decided on a topic for the campaign, conducted some research, wrote a short speech, and designed a poster. This was presented to the whole group and the most effective campaign was voted the winner.
| | | Public Programs
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
6:00-8:00pm | Arizona Ballot Propositions Explained
When: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
6:00-8:00pm
Where: Zoom
Please register to attend this event to learn about the 2024 Ballot Propositions. The event will be held via Zoom: you will receive the Zoom link after registering for the event. Registration is required. You can register HERE.
| National Day of Racial Healing Committee Meeting
Saturday, October 19th
1:30-2:30pm | Save the date!
National Day of Racial Healing Program
January 18th, 2025
We are busy planning our 2025 NDRH Program. We would like LWVGT members and Tucson community members to assist our planning by joining and supporting any of our subcommittees: Educational Panel, Student Poetry/Art Contest, Cultural Performance, Youth Activities, Food, Donations, Publicity, Set-Up/Clean-Up, and Program Brochure/Schedule.
Our next committee meeting is Saturday, October 19th at the League LWVGT Office at 1:30 p.m. More information is HERE. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 19th. If you cannot attend but can contribute let me know. Victor Bowleg bowlegv@gmail.com | Issues & Eggs Committee Meeting
Friday, October 25th
3:30-5:00pm | | Save the date for the 2025 Issues & Eggs Breakfast Forum
Safe Lives, Safe Homes: Examining the Connection between Domestic Violence and Housing
When: Friday, March 7th, 2025
Where: Doubletree by Hilton Tucson
Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ
Time: TBA
Issues & Eggs Committee Meeting
When: Friday, October 25th
3:30-5:00pm
Where: LWVGT Office Conference Room
800 N Swan, Suite 126
Tucson, AZ 85711 | | | How You Can Make an Impact
and Support
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
|
Honor and Support DEI by Exploring
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th-October 15th, 2024
| Hispanic Heritage Events in Tucson can be found HERE.
Pima County Public Libraries has a curated list of films and documentaries for you HERE.
AZPM has curated sources for you HERE.
National Hispanic American Heritage Month offers information and links to other sites such as the National Park Service and the Smithsonian. Find those links HERE.
Learn about Hispanic Serving Institutions (HIS) HERE.
|
Honor and Support DEI by Exploring
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October, 2024
| Find information and local events at Emerge.
"Data that drives change: MMIWG2T Reporter’s Notebook" by Chelsea Curtis February 26, 2024. Read the article at Luminaria.
ASU's Research on Violent Victimization Lab (ROVV) "is conducting a comprehensive study on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) by surveying and interviewing with ASU Indigenous students to learn more about their victimization, MMIP, lived experiences, resiliency, and service needs." Read about their recent findings HERE.
From the White House, the Proclamation on the 30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) HERE. | We want to hear from you!
All committees and members are encouraged to submit articles and information to be published in The Voter. Photos of events are also welcome. However, be sure that LWVGT members allow their photo to be used.
Please be advised that the 20th of the month is a hard deadline for the next issue. However, exceptions can be made if your event happens late in the month. The editor may reach out to Committee Chairs requesting summaries and photos for events late in the month.
Submissions are welcome at To submit an article for The Voter
| | Elected Officers
President: Emily Bridson
President-Elect: Betsy Boggia
Secretary: Barb Colvin
Treasurer: Patricia Tapke
Voter Services: Linda Maccabe
Public Programs: Teresa M. Jenkins
Membership: Kate Stewart
Advocacy: Lovely Ganthier | | Board-Appointed Directors
2024-2025
Christina Andrews
Constance Hargrove
Sadie Shaw
OPEN
Elected Directors
2024-2026
Bob DeLaney
Isabel Georgelos
Linda M. Longlet
2024-2025
Teleia Taumanu
Grace Marie Theesfeld
OPEN
| | | Click HERE to find The Voter and other newsletters.
|
Official Address
800 N Swan Suite 126
Tucson, AZ 85711
| |