Issues:
Take Action
Call Your Senators: Protect Birth Control and Title X
Gag rule threatens access to affordable health care for millions who get care through Title X as Planned Parenthood was forced out of the Title X program. Read more and contact your Senators here.
Support the Effort to Put Medicaid Expansion on the Ballot
Read about how you can get involved.
Tell the Senate to Reauthorize VAWA now!
Now is the Time for Congress to Act on Gun Violence
Next week the U.S. House Judiciary Committee will hear three bills that tackle the issue of gun violence prevention. The legislation includes: HR 1186 to ban high capacity ammunition magazines, HR 1236 focused on Extreme Risk Protection Orders and HR 2708 which would prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from possessing firearms. Read more about these bills here and tell Congress to act here.
Don't Deny Residency Status to Legal Immigrants
The Trump administration plans deny permanent residency status (i.e. “green cards”) to immigrants who are in the country legally, but have used any form of government assistance. Tell your senators and representatives to oppose this policy.
Oppose Plan to Detain Immigrant Families Indefinitely
The Trump administration said it would unveil a new rule that would allow migrant families to be held indefinitely, ending a procedure known as the Flores Settlement Agreement that requires children to be held no longer than 20 days. Tell your senators and representatives to oppose this unconscionable treatment of migrants and their children.
Say NO to SNAP Changes in MO!
An administration proposed rule would force families to make the difficult choice between improving their financial situation, and eating their next meal. Sign this letter to "Say No to Changes in SNAP Eligibility."
End Child Detention
Urge Congress to support legislation like the Shut Down Child Prison Camps Act today! Sign the petition.
Demand Funding for Gun Violence Research
Gun violence is a public health epidemic. To make our communities safer, CDC and NIH must have funding to conduct research to determine the causes of gun violence and develop policies to reduce the toll that it takes. Sign the petition.
Tell the Democratic National Committee: Hold a climate debate
The next president of the United States must be prepared to take bolder, faster climate action than any leader has before. There is no more time to waste. Sign the petition here.
Red Flag laws save lives by empowering family members and law enforcement officers to petition a court to temporarily restrict a person's access to guns when they show these warning signs. Tell your senators your want a red flag law here.
Tell Congress: Pass the Families Belong Together Act
Acting on Our Mission
Oct. Program, Nonstop Onslaught: Fighting the Attack on Transgender Rights
Sayer Johnson, co-founder and executive director, Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG) talked about the lack of services or options for the trans community and how MTUG is working to change that. Read the program summary here.
Lunch & Learn with Jamala Rogers, Noted Black Activist
On September 24, WV hosted a Lunch & Learn with Jamala Rogers. Read more here.
Lock It for Love Volunteers Work to Keep Kids Safe
Andrea Bauman interviewed by KMOV news 4 about LIFL events on Saturday, Sept. 21 where volunteers will distribute FREE gun locks to those who have unsecured guns in their homes. Read more here.
Women's Voices Members Approve New Position Papers
WV Members approved three new position papers: Public Education, K-12, Post-Secondary Education and Workforce Development, and LGBTQ+ Rights.
Gun Locks Save Lives
Women's Voices past-president Lise Bernstein interviewed following the preventable deaths of children this summer. Watch the interviews here.
Women’s Voices Supports Campaign to Take Effort to Expand Medicaid to the Ballot
Read more here about how you can get involved.
Women's Voices Members attend Vigil in OK
A Heartland for Human Justice coalition group protested the separation of children and their families in immigration detention centers and participated in an interfaith vigil in remembrance of the children who have died while in detention. Read more.
Lifesaving Difference: How a Gun is Stored
New study shows safe gun storage saves lives.
Coalition Addresses Immigration Issues
Women's Voices is a founding member of the Heartland for Human Justice coalition.
Brittany Packnett Calls Us to Action
Visionary Voices: A Candid Conversation with Brittany Packnett
Read All About It!
October e-newsletter here
2019 Annual Report
"Fetal heartbeat" bill
Read our statement
Money talks, what is it saying to children?
"Our current system will continue unless we all take responsibility to make changes." Read commentary on education equity.
Gov. Parson: Expand Medicaid
Up Next
Racial Justice Book Club
Mon., Oct. 14, 6:15 p.m. at Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar Blvd., 63130)
The Making of Ferguson, Public Policies at the Root of its Troubles, by Richard Rothstein
Read more or RSVP.
Opportunity Fair
Sun., Nov. 3, 2 p.m., United Hebrew Congregation (13788 Conway Road, 63141)
Learn about opportunities to volunteer for organizations supporting individuals who were formerly incarcerated. Read more here.
Pay Day Lending: Sins and Solutions
Tues., Nov. 6, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Jewish Federation (12 Millstone Campus Dr., 63146)
JCRC will host panelists who will discuss the harmful nature of pay day lending, both to borrowers and the wider community and to discuss legislative and employer-based alternatives. Read more or register here.
Education Equity: Claiming Space for Learning in Public Schools
Thurs., Nov. 14, 7 p.m., The Heights (8001 Dale Ave., 63117)
Read more or RSVP here.
Montgomery, Alabama, Trip
November 17-19
This 3-day trip will provide participants an in-depth opportunity to learn about mass incarceration and civil rights. Read more.
Look & Learn: Open Your Eyes at EyeSeeMe
Sat., Nov. 23, 3 p.m.
EyeSeeMe Bookstore (6951 Olive Blvd., University City 63130)
Read more.
Community Programs:
What Can We Do About Gun Violence?
Tues., Oct. 15, 7 p.m., Eliot Unitarian Chapel (100 S. Taylor, 63122)
Andrea Bauman, co-chair of the WVR Campaign for Common Sense Gun Solutions, will talk about Lock It for Love, a program that provides free gun locks to people at community events who have unsecured guns in their homes, and Gail Wechsler, Moms Demand Action member, will talk about SMART, the organization’s program to educate the public about common sense gun laws and responsible gun ownership. All are welcome.
Courts Matter – Protecting the Judiciary is Everyone’s Issue
Thurs., Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., NCJW STL (295 N. Lindbergh Blvd. 63141)
Learn about NCJWSTL’s coalition to keep our courts fair and balanced as
well as what is happening in our judicial landscape in both federal and state courts. Read more or RSVP here. Read more here.
Learn the Facts about the Criminal Justice System
Thurs., Oct. 17, 7 – 9 p.m., St. Martin’s Episcopal Church (15764 Clayton Rd., 63011)
Anthony D’Agostino, Director of Criminal Justice Ministry and Laura Toledo, Director of the Center for Women in Transition will speak. Read more here.
Mental Health Matters: Access Challenges and Calls to Action
Fri., Oct. 18, 12 - 1:30 p.m., Paraquad (5240 Oakland, 63110)
Hear from panelists Alison Kraus, MSW, Director of Evaluation and Planning Behavioral Health Network for Greater St. Louis and Tamara Kenny, JD, MSW: Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement Catholic Charities of St. Louis at Empower Missouri’s Free Friday Forum. Read more here.
Understanding What it Means to Be White and Privileged
Sun. Oct. 20, 3 – 5 p.m., Kirkwood UCC (1603 Dougherty Ferry Rd., 63122)
A new, free monthly program for allies concerned about the current rise in white supremacy and who want to be anti-racists. It is based on the work of Dr. Shelly Tochluk, creator of Witnessing Whiteness. Read more here.
She Leads Opening Speaker: Brittany Packnett in Conversation with Kayla Reed
Thurs., Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis
Brittany Packnett, in conversation with Kayla Reed, with a Fire-side chat in Graham Chapel will open the “She Leads” two-day event celebrating the 45th Anniversary of the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Fellowship. *This opening keynote event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Read more here.
‘James Baldwin and the Moral Crisis of American Democracy’
Thurs., Oct. 24, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis
Eddie Glaude, the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and frequent MSNBC contributor, will present this public lecture. Professor Glaude will draw from his research for his forthcoming book, "Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own," to be published in April 2020. Read more or RSVP to rap@wustl.edu or 314-935-9345.
Uniting North and South: Part II of The story of the Delmar Divide and What We Can Do About It
Thurs., Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Rigali Center (20 Archbishop May Dr., 63119)
Part II features Molly W. Metzger and panelists. Metzger’s research focuses on local, state and federal housing policies, examining how these policies often reproduce patterns of segregation. She strives to build and share research with a host of community partners, in order to move housing policy toward the goals of racial equity and economic justice.
Read more here or view the flyer.
A Criminal Justice System Panel Discussion
Thurs., Oct. 24, 7 – 9 p.m., St. Martin’s Episcopal Church (15764 Clayton Rd., 63011)
Hear the stories of people who were formerly incarcerated and now work in the criminal justice system. Read more here.
The Color Of Compromise
Mon., Nov. 4, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., Wrighton Hall, Room 300 at Washington University in St. Louis
Public dialogue between author Jemar Tisby and John Inazu on Tisby’s acclaimed book The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism. This event is free and open to all. Read more here or RSVP to events@carverstl.org.
Karine Jean-Pierre on 'Four Hundred Years Forward: Freedom in Our Time'
Sun., Nov. 10, 3 – 5:30 p.m., Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis
This event features Karine Jean-Pierre, NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst and is part of a three-part trilogy to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the United States. The 400 Years Plus Trilogy explores various aspects of Black experience, struggle and resiliency from historical and current perspectives. It also reflects on Black contributions, identity and progress in the next century, serving as a time and space for fellowship, celebration and inspiration. Read more here or download the flyer.