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 be held weekly on Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m. The groups need volunteers. If you can help, access the sign-up form here.
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
Visionary Voices
Reginald Dwayne Betts: From Jail to Yale
At the April program, Reginald Dwayne Betts shared his views of the prison system, policing, and justice reform in a wide-ranging conversation led by Carol Daniel of KMOX News. His insights, informed by his remarkable journey from prison to his current life as an attorney, poet, teacher, and father, inspired ideas for changing police relations with communities of color to create a just legal system. 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 April 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 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.
Racial Justice Movie Club
Weds., June 2, 7 p.m.
Virtual discussion documentary
Dr. Rhea Boyd on “Pandemics + Policing + Protest”
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.
Segregated by Design - Housing Inequality in STL
Advocacy in Action Lunch & Learn with NCJW
Thurs., May 20, noon
Read more and register here.