LWV Ann Arbor Area, Brighton/Howell Geographical Unit
LWV Ann Arbor Area, Brighton/Howell Geographical Unit
We are non-partisan. Everyone is welcome!
That means all political backgrounds and genders - the League is not "just" women. You need not be a member to attend any event listed below. Events are free, unless noted. NOTE: Our meeting days, times, and locations vary (though due to COVID-19, most everything we do is online these days).
We are excited to announce that registration for our March 16th 7:00 p.m. public forum (via zoom), in recognition of Women's History Month with our special guest Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, is now open. Our co-partner of this evening event is the Howell Carnegie Library, and their description of this dynamic speaker says it all:
"Women leaders of the 21st century stand tall because they stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before. We need to honor these history-making women during this Women’s History Month by remembering their names and carrying on their legacy.
Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins served two terms as the fifteenth president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, the only woman of color to have served as national president in the organization’s first one hundred years. Her career in public school and higher education spanned more than forty years. At the time of retirement, Dr. Jefferson-Jenkins continues to be an advocate and activist for civil rights, social justice, educational excellence, and stronger citizen participation in the electoral process for underrepresented populations. She is the author of The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters."
Dr. Jefferson-Jenkin's presentation encompasses all of the points we need to make to honor the past and acknowledge the profound advancements women have made, recognizing we still have work to do. Her focus will be on untold stories and unknown heroes, with a challenge to continue to move forward.
Please register through the Howell Carnegie Library's website.
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LWV MI President's message: Supporting HR1 and Common Sense Reforms
We are going through unprecedented times that challenge our mission to defend democracy and empower voters.
We have a positive direction to take, however. The League will be working to encourage passage of U.S. House bill HR1-For the People Act. ( ed. note: originally proposed in 2019, this bill will be re-introduced in 2021) The common-sense reforms in this legislation, which are deeply popular and have passed in many states and localities, aim to accomplish three overarching goals:
Without structural democracy reform, our nation will remain unable to fully address important substantive priorities for the American people, such as expanding affordable healthcare and stopping the spread of COVID-19, protecting the environment, and creating millions of good-paying jobs (excerpted from Dylan Vargas, LWV National). Attached are links to the bill.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1/text
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1
Be safe. Be well.
Christina Schlitt, President LWVMI
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Questions? Email us at LWVBrighton.HowellArea@gmail.com
We realized that to become more engaged with what is going on in Livingston County, we need to understand local issues and learn about those who represent (and want to represent) us. Several of us have been members of the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area. We were impressed by their inclusive, civil, non-partisanship approach. We asked if they would help us start a League of Women Voters (LWV) chapter in Livingston County. Because the LWV is concerned about keeping a good, neutral reputation, there is a long mentoring process involved. The rules state that those expressing interest in starting a LWV in their area begin by becoming a "unit of Geographical Interest" which we now are.
In early 2018, The LWV of the Ann Arbor Area agreed to mentor us which is why we have such a long formal name which is
"The League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area - Brighton/Howell Area Geographical Unit".
Join us! There is much work to be done in Livingston County. The work of many makes the load lighter and more fun! Our beginning priorities are getting Promote the Vote on the ballot this fall to keep voting secure and make it more convenient, voter registration, and understanding why redistricting matters. As our membership increases, we would like to host candidate forums so we can meet those who want to represent us and host informational forums to understand what issues directly effect us.
We are very appreciative of the many who fought for nearly 100 years for a woman's right to vote. With the right to vote came the realization that there is responsibility to learn about candidates and issues. This led to the formation of League of Women Voters (LWV) in 1920. The LWV has always been non-partisan. Today's LWV is very gender inclusive. Our members are passionate activists who support our work in all 50 states and in more than 700 communities. Join us today! We welcome everyone!
Copyright © 2018 League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, Brighton Howell Area Unit - All Rights Reserved.
Who's Who? Your Elected Officials can be emailed to you upon request.
Contact us at: LWVBrighton.HowellArea@gmail.com