Upcoming Programs
May Program – Back On The Ballot: How To Defeat New Attacks On Reproductive and Trans Rights
Thursday, May 14
Center of Clayton
50 Gay Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m.
Program is free and open to the public.
The Missouri legislature is at it again. Staying true to their history of opposing the will of the voters, our elected representatives are launching ballot initiatives of their own. These measures attempt to trick voters into virtually eliminating the right to an abortion in Missouri and creating intolerable limitation on transgender healthcare and participation in public life. They are also trying to revamp the initiative petition process to make it virtually impossible for voters to influence policy in the future.
Our best tool to thwart these attempts is education, so our May session will help us understand the details of the proposals, the talking points to share with our circles of influence and ways to join the organized campaign to spread accurate information ahead of the vote.
Speakers:
Dana Sandweiss
Dana Sandweiss: President and a founding member of Access MO, a non-partisan state-wide political action committee advocating for reproductive health care and freedom.
Dana previously served as a research analyst for the Environment Committee in the Arizona House of Representatives and later lobbied for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. She attended St. Louis University School of Law and practiced law at Gallop Johnson & Neuman, L.C. in Clayton, MO, specializing in corporate, real estate, and environmental law.
Sandweiss is President and a founding member of Access MO, a non-partisan state-wide political action committee supporting candidates and initiatives advocating for reproductive health care and freedom. Dana serves on the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Board and is a founding member of Planned Parenthood Great River’s Leadership Circle, a network of over 600 philanthropists. Dana helped establish and serves on the board of Coeur Academy, a school dedicated to helping students with special needs achieve personalized goals through a child-led, research-based approach. Dana is a graduate of FOCUS Leadership St. Louis, Washington University’s Women’s Leadership Forum and the 2025 recipient of NCJWSTL’s Hannah G. Solomon Founder’s Award.
Katy Erker-Lynch
Katy Erker-Lynch: Executive Director of PROMO – the long-time state-wide LGBTQ advocacy organization.
Katy is a community-focused advocate and relationship builder whose experience spans nonprofit management, social impact tech startups, community organizing, and public-private partnerships.
Like so many young, queer Missourians, she left the state at 18 in search of a vibrant queer community and then went on to receive a Master in Public Policy from the University of Chicago’s Harris School along with a certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Boston University.
The folks she supported through her work in El Salvador and Boston, including trans women, commercial sex workers, and unaccompanied homeless youth and adults, taught her about their lived experiences and, together, they centered their voices through policy and advocacy actions. Those experiences continue to drive Katy to seek social and racial justice and to interrogate the root causes of inequity, while embracing a strengths-based approach.
June Program – Empowering Female Voices In Policy Decisions
Thursday, June 11
Center of Clayton
50 Gay Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m.
Program is free and open to the public.
Women often see societal issues through a different lens than their male counterparts, but get edged out of state level policy discussions by other, louder voices. Two women who collaborated across partisan divides to make their voices heard will share the most effective ways the rest of us can extend our influence as well.
Speakers: Senator Tracy McCreery and Jean Evans
Tracy McCreery
Senator Tracy McCreery, a Democrat, represents the 24th Senatorial District in St. Louis County. In her previous role as State Representative, she served as the ranking minority member for the House Agriculture Policy Committee, the House Emerging Issues Committee and the House Utilities Committee. She was previously a district aide and volunteer coordinator for state Sen. Joan Bray and served in the administration of Gov. Bob Holden. She has received numerous awards from constituent groups for her advocacy in supporting women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, education, agriculture and healthcare policies.
Jean Evans
Jean Evans was elected twice to the Missouri House before being tapped by Governor Parson to run the Missouri Republican Party. She recently started her own government relations firm, GO Consulting, LLC.
During her time in office Rep. Evans sponsored legislation to end child marriage and eliminate the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse. Evans also championed STEM programs and measures that make it easier for women to start a small business. Rep. Evans received the 2017 Catalyst Award from the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Chamber Champion Award from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and the 2017 Distinguished Legislator Award from the Missouri Community College Association
Upcoming Programs
Regular programs are held at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of the month, September-May.
2026 programs will be announced soon; please check back, or subscribe to our email list to be notified of upcoming events.
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