September 2024
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| | President's Message
from
Emily Bridson | | | | Greetings Leaguers!
As Election Day approaches, we are working on exciting candidate forums to create thoughtful discussion in our community. Please consider attending these important events. The more members who attend will help us maintain a positive, civil environment. See events and information HERE .
As you learned last month, our Voter Services team is working hard, and we are thankful. Special thank you as well to our Communications team for providing impactful work. It takes a village of volunteers to make this happen.
We need an Observer Corps chair, if anyone is interested in leading a small team focused on reporting out on local meetings with elected officials.
Observer Corps information .
At the national level, this election cycle seems to keep throwing curve balls at us. When I connect with friends from around the nation, they tell me that our political system is causing quite a bit of stress and a feeling of unrest. I urge you to implement self-care strategies. I recently started swimming (with the help of a fancy watch to count my laps) and it has helped me feel more balanced and calmer. Let’s give ourselves grace as we all try to navigate these difficult and unpredictable times. | | In other developments, we want you to be aware of upcoming changes to the League’s structure of membership dues that will substantially impact our local chapter.
In 2025, LWVUS will implement:
• Dues distribution among national, state, and local chapters will be changed to increase funding at state-level leagues and lessen the funding to the local-level leagues.
• Greater funding will allow state leagues to give local leagues more support in the form of accounting help or other administrative resources. As we begin to write more grants, accounting becomes more complex. Managing complex bookkeeping is harder for a volunteer staff. As our league continues to grow, so will the complexity of our organization.
What will be helpful to support LWVGT:
• When joining or renewing, many members add a donation to their annual dues. Currently, the amount over our membership fee goes directly to our local league. In 2025, this will not be the case. The additional funding will be distributed between local, state, and national leagues.
• If you would like to keep your dollars local, we suggest you consider either donating additional funds on our website or writing a separate check to League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson.
• Finally, we will strive to make up the reduction in distribution of dues by implementing fundraising campaigns. Please consider giving on a regular basis if your budget allows. This will enable our local league to continue our current level of community programming, voter outreach and education, and other efforts to foster civic engagement.
Thank you for all you do.
| | | | President-Elect's Message
from
Betsy Boggia | | | | Hello to all!
It is so exciting to observe the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson (LWVGT) gearing up for this election cycle and to see the many ways the LWVGT has an important impact on our community. I want to call further attention to something Emily mentioned, which is the present need for a Chair of the Observer Corps Committee.
The Observer Corps is a long-standing tradition in the LWVGT and in leagues across the country. League members observe the meetings of local public governing bodies and then submit a brief report that is shared on the LWVGT website. The objective is to ensure transparency in government and keep League members and the public informed about the issues and actions of local government that impact our lives.
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The members of this committee provide an important service to the community, especially considering the reductions in local news reporting, which in the past has served a similar purpose. Statistics show that when there is a lack of reporting on local government corruption increases and voter participation goes down. While the LWVGT is not the press, we are fulfilling a vital role in covering these meetings and providing information and transparency. This helps to keep our elected officials more accountable.
I encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about the Chair position or the committee itself to email observercorps@lwvtucson.com
| | | Introducing
LWVUS CEO
Celina Stewart! | The League of Women Voters US is proud to introduce our new CEO, Celina Stewart! A legal scholar, esteemed public speaker, and lifelong democracy defender, Celina formerly served as LWVUS's chief counsel.
Celina herself has a direct message to League supporters: "We are living in a truly unprecedented and historic time. Every day there's a new attack, and women are being called to save our country...all I need to know now is: who is with me."
Are you with her (and us)?
Meet Celina
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The LWVGT T-shirts Are Ready to Order!
| The cost is a donation of $20.00. Pickup is at LWVGT office; no shipping is available. Consider purchasing more than one and donating it to a member. On the order form, indicate the size - S, M, L, XL.
Please consider an additional donation! After ordering your T-Shirt, click the DONATE button in the upper right corner of the home page. You must order by September 15, 2024, and you will be notified when they are ready for pickup in the office. Only members can access the link to purchase T-Shirts. Order T-Shirts link is on the LWVGT Home Page
| | |
LWVAZ Bootcamps in
September and October
| We have organized a series of workshops on Zoom to provide all League members with a better understanding of its work at the state and national levels. 2024 and 2025 will be pivotal years for the national, state, and local leagues as they continue the transformation and transition journey started in 2019.
In these challenging times, it is crucial to strengthen our leagues as we respond to unprecedented attacks on our democracy and fight for fair and free elections. Join us as we grow and learn together about the League’s strategies, processes, and protocols to ensure success in advancing its mission of empowering voters and defending democracy.
Bootcamps take place on Zoom and registration is required. To stay informed and connected, keep a close eye on the LWVGT Calendar of Events. You can find the Calendar link on the LWVGT HOME PAGE. | LWVGT Members
and
Community Engagement
| | Thursday, September 05, 2024
Participants will engage in discussions about voting and elections in Arizona. These discussions will identify opportunities and spark individual and community actions to ensure that Arizona’s voting and elections systems best support the needs of Arizona and its communities.
Registration is free. Check-In and Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
When: 9:00 a.m. - Noon.
Where: YWCA
525 N. Bonita Ave, Tucson, AZ
| | | Community Conversation on
Racial Discrimination in Housing
in Tucson |  | We invite you to a community conversation, focused on Tucson, about the ongoing effects of racial discrimination in housing. Bring your experiences and personal perspective to this interactive conversation. Find general information on the event HERE.
What are racist covenants?
Why is there segregation in Tucson?
What is the generational impact of segregation on education, health, and wealth accumulation?
How have communities been disproportionately impacted by pollution?
How are schools funded differently in different communities?
Our community conversation draws on insights from the Mapping Racist Covenants (MRC) project, which tells the story of now illegal racist covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CCRs) that prevented people of color, as well as other marginalized individuals, from living in certain Tucson neighborhoods. Check out the history of your neighborhood by viewing the interactive map HERE.
| This community conversation on racial discrimination in housing in Tucson will be offered twice:
When: Saturday, September 7 from 10:30 am to noon
Where: Valencia Library, 202 W. Valencia Rd. Tucson, AZ
Please register in advance to attend HERE.
When:Thursday, September 12 from 6:30 to 8 pm
Where: Woods Memorial Library, 3455 N. First Ave. Tucson, AZ
Please register in advance to attend HERE.
These events will be facilitated by Victor Bowleg, Program Manager for the Dr. Laura Banks-Reed Center for Gender and Racial Equity of the YWCA of Southern Arizona and Jason Jurgevich, Assistant Professor in the School of Geography, Development & Environment at the University of Arizona. | | | |
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!
Update: So far, there are seven confirmed community partners who have agreed
to distribute five voter-focused Ready.Set. Vote! newsletters to their own networks.
| | | 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.
| Volunteer for Voter Registration Events
in September
If you have had recent voter registration training, sign up! Go to the LWVGT Calendar of Events HERE to see days, times, and locations.
| Volunteer for Candidate Forum Events
in September
Volunteer sign up links and information are on the LWVGT Calendar
2024 General Election Forums
Pima County Board of Supervisors District 2: September 17, 5:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Eckstrom-Columbus Library, 4350 E 22nd St. Tucson, AZ.
Board of Supervisors District 5: September 28, 1:30pm-2:30pm
Location: Quincie-Douglas Library, 1585 E 36th St, Tucson, AZ. | The Truth Above Everything Else:
Misinformation and the Election
Saturday, September 14, 2024
10:30AM – 12:00PM
Where: Murphy-Wilmot Library
530 N. Wilmot Rd.
Tucson AZ 85711
The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson and Pima County Public Library present a panel discussion from scholars of Communication, Journalism, and Government & Public Policy on the topic of misinformation, its impact, and what we can do as citizens inside this information environment.
Registration is Required
| | Dylan Smith: Moderator
Dylan Smith is the Editor and Publisher of the Tucson Sentinel, a pioneering nonprofit local independent online news organization. He was the founding Chairman of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, organizing a group of publishers of local news outlets across the country. Prior to founding the Sentinel, he was the Online Editor of the Tucson Citizen. | | Dr. Kate Kenski: Panelist
Dr. Kenski is a Professor of Communication and Government & Public Policy at the University of Arizona. She teaches political communication, public opinion and research methods. Her current research focuses on incivility in online forums and multimedia teaching strategies to mitigate cognitive biases.
| | | | Dr. Jeannine Relly: Panelist
Dr. Relly is a professor of the School of Journalism with an appointment in the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona. She is an international journalist reporting on global conflicts. Dr. Relly developed and taught courses focused on theory and practices, quantitative and qualitative research methods, media and humanitarian crises, disinformation, and information security. | | Dr. Yotam Shmargad: Panelist
Dr. Shmargad is a computational social scientist at the University of Arizona whose research focuses on understanding how digital platforms shape social and political life in the US. His research speaks to questions about how social media can both fuel political polarization and incivility as well as extinguish their flames.
| | | DEI Committee
Guest Speaker
Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 |  | | Anthony Akator Jr. is a senior at BASIS Tucson North. He currently serves as president of the NAACP Youth Council and Chair of the education workgroup at the Governor Youth Commission. He is deeply involved in community service. From cleaning up garbage in his local community, volunteering at his school, and helping out at the diaper bank, Anthony is committed to making a positive change in his community.
Furthermore, Anthony is also deeply invested in social justice, political science, and international affairs. He has regularly given speeches advocating for voting rights and civic engagement, was a founding member and current co-leader of Students for Unity (a community service club that discusses ongoing public policy and political matters), and he has repeatedly argued for the need of American leadership on the global stage particularly in regards to international development.
Finally, Anthony cares deeply about the rule of law and hopes to become a lawyer. He has served as president of his Mock Trial team, helping lower the cost of entry for the club, and over the summer shadowed attorneys working in Major Crimes and Domestic Violence as part of the High School Enrichment Academy.
| | | Public Programs:
Securing the Ballot
Saturday, September 21st, 2024
| | For more than 100 years, the League of Women Voters has helped citizens understand how they can cast their vote in elections. As unfounded claims of voter fraud continue to circulate ahead of November's election, the LWVGT will bring together officials from Pima, Pinal, and Maricopa Counties on September 21st to help voters understand more about the integrity of the vote.
Attendees will hear how these counties are preparing for the 2024 election and insuring that the process is conducted with fairness and integrity.
When: Saturday, September 21. Doors open at 9:00 am and the panel discussion will take place from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
Where: Junior League of Tucson, 2099 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information go the LWVGT Calendar of Events HERE .
| | | National Day of Racial Healing Committee
Saturday, September 7th | What is racial healing?
Racial healing is the experience shared by people when they speak openly and hear the truth about past wrongs and the negative impacts created by individual and systemic racism.
Racial healing helps to build trust among people and restores communities to wholeness, so they can work together on changing current systems and structures so that they affirm the inherent value of all people.
This past January the LWVGT, the YWCA of Southern Arizona (MacArthur Foundation), LULAC, OCA, NAACP and other groups sponsored our first in-person NDRH. You can watch last year's event HERE .
| This Saturday, September 7th, there will be a National Day of Racial Healing (NDRH) planning and update meeting at the League LWVGT Office at 1:30 p.m. More information is HERE.
We are busy planning our 2025 NDRH Program, that is scheduled for January 18th, 2025. We would like LWVGT members and Tucson community members to assist our planning by joining and supporting any of our sub-committees: Educational Panel; Student Poetry/Art Contest; Cultural Performance; Youth Activities; Food; Donations; Publicity; Set-Up/Clean-Up; and Program Brochure/Schedule.
I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 7th. If you cannot attend but can contribute let me know. Victor Bowleg bowlegv@gmail.com
| | | Membership Committee
Swap Meet
Sunday, September 15th, 2024
| How can you declutter your home and do something wonderful for other people at the same time? By sorting through your possessions and bringing your items to the LWVGT Swap Meet! Your household items will help others create a home of their own. Examples of items might include dishes, books, luggage, small appliances, and cooking utensils. Please note: we cannot accept clothing. The event will be held at the LWVGT office, and any member can take home items.
Items may be brought to the League Office during office hours, 10:30am to 12:30pm beginning Monday, September 9 through Friday, September 13. If other times are needed please email lwvtucsondesktop@gmail.com.
The Membership and Youth Committees will recruit college students to participate and become members for only $10.
If you would like to help plan this event please email membership@lwvtucson.com
Please spread the word and stay tuned for more details!
| For eleven years the LWVGT has hosted the Issues and Eggs Breakfast Forum on the first Friday of March. We have held a breakfast at a local hotel where a program of panelists provide information on a selected topic. Previous topics: Murdered & Missing Indigenous People: Shining a Light on a Continuing Crisis (2024); Women's Equality: Celebrating Women's Leadership in Challenging Times (2023); and Women of Greater Tucson Powering Democracy (2022). You can watch recordings of previous meetings HERE.
Organizing has begun and you can join in the fun. Click HERE for contact information.
Issues & Eggs Committee Meeting
When: Friday, September 13th, 3:30pm
Where: LWVGT Office Conference Room
800 N Swan, Suite 126
Tucson, AZ 85711 | | | Gun Violence Prevention Committee
|
Domestic Violence (DV) in Pima County is a serious health and safety issue. Why does this committee care? Because in a normal year the Tucson Police Department and the Sheriff's Department respond to 15,000 DV calls. Because Pima County has a higher rate of intimate partner firearm homicides per 100,000 residents than Maricopa County. Because DV is often a gun issue, as guns are frequently used to intimidate, threaten and control an intimate partner or family member. Many of these perpetrators are prohibited possessors.
Over the last eight months our group has been holding listening sessions with representatives of law enforcement, courts, medical professionals, and other involved agencies and legislators. We have been seeking insight into our community's difficulties in adequately protecting DV victims, as well as solutions to the various problems of enforcing and prosecuting domestic violence misdemeanor and felony cases. These sessions have all been open to LWVGT members. We hope to have them edited and on our website in the near future.
Please contact Kathy Aros at kathyks1@aol.com if you would like to join us. Previous knowledge of gun safety issues is not necessary. We are all learning as we go.
| Committee Events
Summer, 2024 | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Toured the African American Museum of Southern Arizona
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Thank you to Executive Director Beverely Elliott for our informative tour.
The museum has been collecting oral histories and you can find them HERE
| | | DEI Outreach Tabling Event
Juneteenth Celebration
June 15, 2024 | Membership Committee's
Meet and Greet
July 27th, 2024
| | Current and potential LWVGT members gathered for a coffee social event at AJ's Fine Foods.
Attendees met LWVGT leadership and discovered how to get involved in election activities this fall. | | | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Fresh Start Fundraiser Breakfast
August 23, 2024
| | Members of the DEI Committee attended Fresh Start's Fundraiser Breakfast.
DEI Outreach has tabled at their events, which are amazing.
You can learn more about the next Fresh Start Empowerment Clinic HERE .
| | | | Getting to Know
Advocacy Committee Chair
Lovely Ganthier
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The Voter: Tell us about your background.
Lovely Ganthier: I am an accountant by trade and very active in the community. I’m the Chair of the LWVGT Advocacy Committee, which places me on the LWVGT Board as well as the State Board. Outside of the League, I serve as treasurer of the NAACP and the College level Staff Council at the University of Arizona. I’m on the Board of I Am You 360, I volunteer with Jewish Family and Children Services, and when I can the YWCA.
I love to give back to my community, which is a reflection on the way I was raised and a personal belief of mine that you give as much as you take. I believe in the power of giving and I feel that ‘it’s more blessed to give than to receive.’
Lovely Ganthier: It’s been amazing. I have some very important mentors-Judy Wood and Pinny Sheoran. Both women, who have more experience in the League than I do, agreed to mentor me.
I consider my role to be advocating for the causes and positions of the League as well as the passions of the people who are on the Advocacy Committee. We have several subcommittees, currently the most active one is the Gun Violence Prevention Group. As the Chair, I attend their meetings. I attend to listen and to learn. I’m always looking out for how I can support them. Is there something they need communicated to the Board? Do they need a liaison between our local jurisdiction and State leadership? I consider it a big part of my role to be there for them. One of the things I’ve very proud of as the Advocacy Chair is the ability to collaborate and partner with people on the committee. I lend my support, bring my ideas, and supply my energy, but it’s about taking their passion and amplifying it as best I can. Which is what advocacy is all about!
I want to celebrate the win with the Arizona Abortion Access Amendment. The League committed to gathering 10,000 signatures and there was a major unified effort for that. That’s something the Pro-Choice Community did together.
The Voter: Tell us about your approach to or philosophy of leadership.
Lovely Ganthier: My philosophy of leadership is servant leadership. I believe that the hallmark of a leader is to develop yourself, with an eye toward being able to elicit the best in those that are with you. That’s how I approach the people I’m working with. One eye focused on accomplishing our goals, another eye on ‘how is the team doing?’ Making sure everyone is shining because we’re impactful through intentional unity.
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I recently started interacting with a newly formed group, we are working on the local ballot propositions. On that team, it’s all about how we can enjoy the benefits of collaboration and get things done. How can we make the work genial, and how can I help us be the best that we can be?
The Voter: How do you see the Advocacy Committee supporting and enhancing our efforts for DEI?
Lovely Ganthier: That’s a very strong passion of mine. At one of my first meetings on the LWVGT Board I heard Linda Maccabe say that one of her goals is to reach out to underrepresented communities. That made me happy, and I take that to heart. I believe in inclusion. Advocacy is supporting that by reaching out to these communities. Where I take it further is I’m engaging different groups all the time and I’m having conversations with people about voting. I’m proclaiming that they can make a valuable difference.
The Voter: What have you learned about yourself with your experiences in civic engagement?
Lovely Ganthier: I learned more about my inner fire. I’m naturally a shy person. I don’t like to be the speaker. I’m the person who likes to be in the back of the room observing. But when Emily asked me to be a speaker at the John Lewis National Day of Action event, I said yes! And then I got up there and tried to ignore the fact that my heart was going so many miles per minute. I am pushing the limits of my personality and using my passion for the issues and the people to get over my inner fears.
The Voter: What does the Advocacy Committee need?
Lovely Ganthier: We have lots of opportunities open for volunteers right now! I am actively looking for people to join the Legislative Breakfast Committee. I’m looking for people to join the Environmental Issues Committee. After the local ballot proposition team completes their work, there will be opportunities for members to join the Speakers Committee to go out and speak to community groups. Advocacy is the voice of the League and whether you are an introvert or extrovert we can help you find where you can shine.
The Voter: What do you do to relax, to restore, to refresh so you can continue to do the work that’s important to you?
Lovely Ganthier: I am very active in my spiritual life. I go to church and that is, for me, a bit of a boost for the system. I love spending time with nature. I will go on hikes, and I like to climb Tumamoc Hill to sit up there and meditate.
I love to curl up with a book and get out of my own headspace. Every now and then I like to take a week off and I will turn off electronics and go somewhere. I come back refreshed, the batteries are recharged, and that keeps me going.
| | | Thanking Judy Wood
For Her Many Years!
| To find the PDF containing photos and wonderful stories about Judy, log in to the LWVGT HOME PAGE, then do the following: 1) click on Members, 2) scroll to Document Library, 3) click on History (over on the right), 4) click on Judy Wood Stories - Lifetime Achievement, and 5) download the PDF.
| How You Can Make an Impact
and Support
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
| 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
Linda M. Longlet
Isabel Georgelos
Bob DeLaney
2024-2025
Grace Marie Theesfeld
Teleia Taumanu
OPEN
| | | Click HERE to find The Voter and other newsletters.
|
Official Address
800 N Swan Suite 126
Tucson, AZ 85711
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