Issues:
Take Action
On March 3, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which will provide much-needed election, campaign finance, and ethics reforms. Tell the Senate: Pass the For the People Act
Petition to End Armed Intimidation
State and town/city leaders across the nation must take this threat seriously by acting NOW to #EndArmedIntimidation. Sign the petition here.
Not fit for Congress: Expel the coup supporters now
Protect our neighbors with a utility disconnection moratorium now!
Missouri needs food and housing assistance NOW!
Tell senators to include a fifteen percent increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is an excellent stimulus for Missouri’s economy in addition to reducing food insecurity, so we must change his position on this! Also, with only two days left in the federal eviction moratorium, it is crucial that we secure $100 billion in emergency housing assistance and an extension of the moratorium. Contact Senators Blunt & Hawley here.
Demand stronger workplace health and safety protections for frontline food workers
Frontline food workers still lack the necessary protective gear to keep themselves safe in the workplace and are dying from the virus at alarming rates.In order to protect workers and keep communities safe, OSHA must enact and enforce emergency protections for food workers today. Read more and sign the petition here.
Call on the Missouri Supreme Court to Prevent a COVID-19 Public Health Crisis in Jails by Releasing People
St. Louis County had two jail employees test positive last month for COVID-19 and the County said nothing. We still do not know whether any detainees have been tested. Join Women's Voices in calling on the MO Supreme Court to act. Sign the petition here.
Tell Congress to Pass Emergency Fair Housing Funding NOW!
Call your members of Congress ASAP to ensure we have the adequate resources to respond to discrimination in this time of crisis. Contact your legislators here.
Contact your legislator to support emergency assistance to households with low incomes today!
Congress Must Act Now to Protect Victims and Survivors, Funding for Programs that Serve Them
Victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence are particularly vulnerable during this time. Congress must act now to protect victims and survivors and all people in America. It must also provide funding for the programs that serve survivors. Read more here.
More Action Alerts here!
Acting on Our Mission
Learn the Truth about the 1619 Project
The School District of University City has incorporated the 1619 Project into a class at the high school. At the June lunch & learn, speakers Dr. Sharonica Hardin-Bartley, Superintendent, Christina Sneed, Coordinator of K-12 Social Studies & 6-12 English Language Arts, Jai’ Den Smith, 2021 graduate shared their perspectives about the experience. Read the summary here or watch the recorded version here.
Advocate for Affordable Housing with Women's Voices
Members of the Racial Justice Committee have formed an Affordable Housing task force to monitor proposed housing developments that ask for tax credits or other public subsidies, work in their own communities to monitor zoning regulations and decisions of planning commissions and speak out at public meetings and write letters in order to help make change in the landscape of inequity that has kept so many people unable to afford housing. Read more here.
Immigration: We Lose When We Slam the Door
At the May program, speakers Anna Crosslin, former president and CEO, International Institute of St. Louis, Marie Kenyon, Director, Peace and Justice Commission, Archdiocese of St. Louis and Sr. Sandy Straub, CSJ shared their experiences working with immigrants. Read the full summary here.
Women's Voices Announces New LIFL Partners
At a press conference on April 13, 2021, Women’s Voices announced that free gun locks will now be available at all 30 St. Louis Fire Department firehouses. Four St. Louis County Library Branches now have free locks available as well. Read more here.
Cathy Gilbert Urges Safe Storage of Guns
Cathy Gilbert spoke to KSDK News Channel 5 after the April 11 accidental shooting of a 4-year-old in St. Louis, urging safe storage of guns in the home.
“We have gun locks available now at the four branches of the City Library. All a person has to do is walk in and say I need a lock," Gilbert said.
Women's Voices Lobbies for Voting Rights
Watch highlights from the MO Voting Rights Lobby Day here.
Women's Voices Featured on The Pulse of St. Louis
See co-president, Ruth Ehresman's interview on The Pulse.
Housing Justice in St. Louis County: Recent Developments, Future Possibilities
At the March WVR Lunch & Learn Dr. Molly Metzger, a senior lecturer at Washington University’s Brown School stated that the St. Louis region is facing a housing crisis and advised us on advocacy approaches as we work for solutions. Read the program summary here.
Read our Emails
Read the June Women's Voices newsletter, Loud & Clear.
Read our April 15 Keeping Connected email
Read our March 30 Keeping Connected email
Where are People Supposed to Live?
Barbara Finch, in her Nov. 25 commentary in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, states that "adequate housing that is accessible and affordable for every citizen is a prerequisite for a healthy community." Read more here.
Racial Justice Committee Tackles Housing, Criminal Justice Reform
Up Next
Racial Justice Movie Club
Weds., July 7, 7 p.m.
Virtual discussion of video:
Walter Johnson discusses his book, The Broken Heart of America: St Louis and the Violent History of the United States
Read more or register here.
Community Programs
Lawyers without Rights: Jewish Lawyers in Germany under the Third Reich
American Bar Association Travelling Exhibit
Exhibit Extended through September 2021, Law Library Association (10 N. Tucker, 13th Floor, 63101)
Read more.
Traveling Memorial for Missouri Children Killed by Guns in 2020
In St. Louis Area from May 14-July 16, 2021; locations vary
Sponsored by Missouri Gun Safety Advocates
Find dates and locations here. Read more about the exhibit here.
Legislative Session Wrap Up
Sat. June 19, 9 a.m., Barbre Park (411 N. Elm Ave., 63119)
Join Missouri State Senators Beck and May and Representatives Unsicker, Doll and Phifer for an end of legislative session wrap up.
Pershing Juneteenth Community Celebration
Sat., June 19, 9 a.m.-noon, Pershing Elementary School (6761 Bartmer Ave., 63130)
Masks and distancing will be respected.
Registration required for entrance; register here or read more here.
Housing Inequity: Past, Present, and Future
Tues., June 22, 7-8:30 p.m.
Read more or register here.
Rally: Respect our Vote, Secure Medicaid Expansion!
Rally with Jobs with Justice at the Governor's Mansion
Thurs., July 1, 11 a.m., 100 Madison Street, Jefferson City, 65101
Read more and register here.