Issues:
Take Action
Volunteer Opportunity to Support Urgent Advocacy on Medicaid Expansion Appropriations
Now that the budget bills are in the State Senate, it is critically important that Senators hear from constituents that they support adding Medicaid Expansion funding back into House Bills 10 and 11 (the normal appropriations bills).
Jobs with Justice and members of the MOVE Collaborative are starting phone banks, patching constituents through to their Senators. Calls will start on Tuesday, April 13th and will be held weekly on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. The groups need volunteers. If you can help, access the sign-up form here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/volunteer-call-with-us-to-protect-medicaid/
Federal Legislation to Expand Voting Rights: H.R. 1 – For the People Act
On January 4, the House re-introduced H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which will provide much-needed election, campaign finance, and ethics reforms. Sign the petition in support of H.R. 1
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
Women's Voices Participates in Rally to the Ballot Box
Watch highlights from the April 1 Rally to the Ballot Box here.
Women's Voices Featured on The Pulse of St. Louis
See co-president, Ruth Ehresman's interview on The Pulse.
What Would You Do with $250,000+? Diversity, the Gender Pay Gap and You
Sharing their research on the gender pay gap in the United States, speakers Ana Hernández Kent, PhD, Senior Researcher, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and Robin Lucas, Grassroots Advocacy Manager, American Association of University Women (AAUW) demonstrated how the gap significantly harms women and their families throughout their lifetime. They provided actions steps to reduce the gap, including legislation about which participants could contact their legislators to support. Read the full summary here.
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.
Reforms Help Police and Community: SB 60 and SB 61
Women's Voices Endorses Effort to Reform St. Louis
Reform St. Louis is a new grassroots coalition aiming to “put people over politics.” The coalition is exploring a ballot initiative campaign to reform gerrymandering and ethics laws at the Board of Aldermen. The goal is a more ethical, equitable, fair, accountable, and effective City government. Read more here.
Read our Emails
Read our March 18 Keeping Connected email
Read the March Women's Voices newsletter, Loud & Clear.
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., April 7, 7 p.m., Zoom
Discussion of the documentary, I Am Not Your Negro.
Read more and register here.
Visionary Voices
Reginald Dwayne Betts: From Jail to Yale
Thurs., April 22, 7 p.m., Zoom
Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice is proud to present Reginald Dwayne Betts, in conversation with Carol Daniel, KMOX News, as they discuss criminal justice reform, juvenile justice, and re-entry.
Read more and register here.
Racial Justice Book Club
Weds., May 26, 6:30 p.m. *NOTE NEW DATE*
Virtual discussion of White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
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.
Redlining and the Climate Crisis
Tues., April 6, 11 a.m. - noon
Read more and register here.
Firearms and the African-American Community
Weds., April 7, 7 p.m.
Read more and register here.
The Great Divide: Race in our Region -A Racial Equity Series with NCJWSTL & JCRC
Weds., April 14, noon
Read more and register here.