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Welcome New Members
Ellen Gough
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The Path to Racial Equity
I recently had the honor of participating on the St. Louis Racial Equity Summit Community Advisory Committee, collaborating with some of St. Louis’ amazing racial justice advocates to select this year’s Summit speakers. Presentations were selected targeting the Summit’s major topic areas:
- Justice For All (safety, policing, courts, democracy, etc.)
- Opportunity to Thrive (housing, wealth, neighborhoods, health, transportation, etc.)
- Youth at the Center (education, child well-being, etc.)
- Racial Equity (philanthropy, EDI, movement infrastructure, identity, etc.)
We know from recent surveys that WV members/supporters understand that educational events like the Summit and WV programs build both awareness and understanding. We would also like to be part of St. Louis’ racial justice transformation through action. In response, our committee chairs are actively seeking opportunities for action. When we hear of situations that require immediate action, we will share this information on our social media channels. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed!
As we consider how we can make a difference, a key question discussed by the Summit Community Advisory Board comes to mind: “How do we create racial equity?” This is an issue at the heart of Women’s Voices’ mission and vision. My colleagues agree that there are several key facets to racial equity:
- Go beyond the black/white binary that has been the focus of St. Louis’s racial justice work
- Include indigenous peoples, who are often invisible in the conversation
- Focus on progress and change, not just on the problem
- Identify the actions that will lead to specific change, both individual and systemic
WV is now also proud to support the summit as a Host Committee Sponsor. I hope you will join me and other Women’s Voices members and supporters November 9-11 at the 2023 St. Louis Racial Equity Summit. Together we will progress down the path to racial equity through awareness, understanding and transformation.
Warm regards,
~ Liz Sondhaus
| | | Support the WV Fall Fundraising Campaign | | | |
The Women’s Voices Fall Campaign is an essential source of funding needed to continue our vital social justice work. We ask for your contribution to help us fulfill our mission as we identify, research and discuss critical issues; mobilize, energize and inspire ourselves and others to action; and work as individuals and in community for social justice.
Your contribution stays in St. Louis and if you value our efforts to educate the community about the critical issues that impact the quality of life of our citizens, including gun violence, educational inequity, systemic racism, transgender rights, climate justice and many other issues, please make a donation today. With your financial support we can and will continue the essential work of raising awareness and spurring action as we speak out and fight for policies that protect the most vulnerable and respect the dignity of all people!
| | | Being Cherokee in St. Louis: Personal Stories and Hidden Truths | | |
Thursday, September 14, 7 p.m.
In-person program at The Center of Clayton
50 Gay Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63105
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m.
Please let us know you're coming here.
Missouri, like most states in the center of the U.S., has no Native tribes still in existence. The knowledge of either the history of Natives, or the experience of contemporary Native Americans, is one step further removed from people's consciousness. Using startling facts as stepping stones to fascinating and forgotten stories, Galen Gritts will start to remedy this phenomenon.
Speaker: Galen Gritts, registered member of the Cherokee Nation
| | National Voter Registration Day is September 19, 2023 | It’s beginning to feel a lot like 2024 out there! Make sure you are #VoteReady to hit the polls in the upcoming primaries & general election by registering or confirming your registration at NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org. | |  | |
Tower Grove Pride
September 23-24, 2023
| Stop by the Women's Voices table at Tower Grove Pride, an alternative pride event focused on local businesses and community organizations. This community-powered, independent festival is "LGBTQ+ centered with a broad mission to support and promote social justice for every disadvantaged, oppressed, or undervalued community." | | | Welcome Neighbor Supper Club | | |
Wednesday, September 27, 6 p.m.
Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion
7401 Delmar Blvd., University City, MO 63130
Read more and purchase your supper club ticket here.
Join us for our first Welcome Neighbor Supper Club. Introduce a friend to WV and support our refugee neighbors.
| | Lunch & Learn with the Consumers Council of Missouri | | | |
Rising gas, electric, water, and sewer bills have created an energy inflation situation – more and more Missouri families cannot afford the cost of their utilities. Many are skimping on groceries or medication to pay their bills. Losing service, or cutting back on service to reduce utility bills, is dangerous to health and safety. Our speakers will discuss the work of Consumer’s Council of Missouri, which focuses on leveling the playing field for Missouri consumers by scrutinizing utilities’ rate increase proposals and advocating for customer assistance programs that meet the needs of people who have low income. They will also discuss “time of use” rates and tools that customers who do not have low income can access.
Speakers:
Sandra A. Padgett, executive director, Consumers Council of Missouri
Jacqueline Hutchinson, director of advocacy, Consumers Council of Missouri
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New Co-Chairs Prepare to Relaunch Racial Justice Committee
Liz Sondhaus and Anne Litwin, the new co-chairs of the Racial Justice Committee (RJC), would like to welcome all interested members or potential members as we organize to relaunch the Racial Justice Committee for the next year.
In this coming year, we plan to continue to support the work of our two task forces: the Criminal Legal System Reform Task Force and the Attainable Housing Task Force. In addition, we plan to identify projects and partnerships in the community that we can engage with and support to advance the cause of racial justice in St. Louis. We will meet this month in person to brainstorm and prioritize new areas of work that members might like to be actively involved with.
Please join us on Saturday, September 30, from 1-3 p.m., at Venable Memorial Park, 10630 Country View Drive, Creve Coeur, MO for community building and brainstorming – and snacks! Please RSVP to racialjustice@womensvoicesraised.org if you are coming so that we may plan accordingly.
| | | Women's Voices Members Respond to Injustice! | | | Yvonne Serbell, in her letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, argues that the Second Amendment should not prevent the passage of common-sense gun laws. | |
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 editor Laura Rose.
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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
7401 Delmar Blvd.
University City, MO 63130
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