Join Us for 'Segregated History'
Negro History Week began in the 1920s and, by the 1970s, it was known as Black History Month. Each February, our country celebrates the achievements of Black people and their role in history. But what value can be derived from segregating the study of Black history from the study of white history or Native American history?
Our esteemed moderator and panelists will lead a discussion about the power of history in our lives. Plus, one lucky attendee will win a copy of McCormick's book, Several Were Paupers, Several Were Kings.
Moderator:
Mark McCormick is the director of strategic communications for the ACLU Kansas as well as an historian, novelist and sought-after speaker.
Panelists:
Gretchen Cassel Eick is an award-winning author and professor of history at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.
Pastor Robert Johnson is a board director of Kansas Interfaith Action and pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Wichita
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Weigh In on the Proposed Update to LWVK’s Juvenile Justice Position
Join us Sunday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. to review proposed changes to LWV of Kansas’ Juvenile Justice position. The current position is 22 years old. A team of members used the concurrence process to draw from the research of 17 other Leagues. The team also examined the Kansas juvenile justice statutes, which were thoroughly revised just over five years ago with input from the Pew Charitable Trusts, to recommend updates to LWVK’s position statement.
Read the proposed statement JuvenileJusticeSTATEMENT OF POSITION (proposed) Dec. 2021.docx.pdf and come ready to ask questions, learn more about the details, and find out about the process.
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Amber Stenger
President
913-620-5172 | jocoleague@gmail.com
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Making Sure We All Count
Sometimes, we all need to be reminded why we do the work we do.
This past month, our People Powered Fair Maps team, led by Connie Taylor, served as that reminder. Through partnerships, creativity and perseverance, they reached a milestone in their quest for equitable districts in Kansas: They found bipartisan legislative sponsors to present fair congressional maps–maps the team created–to the Kansas redistricting committees for consideration.
Their success was hard won. They’ve spent countless hours over the past several months preparing, strategizing and organizing, from learning redistricting software and studying state regulations to collaborating with and educating voters and communities.
The ultimate goal, of course, is for the Kansas Legislature to approve redrawn districts that ensure that every Kansan’s vote matters. We don’t know yet whether our elected officials will do what’s best for voters. But this team of League members and everyday activists showed them that fair maps are possible.
For Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City and Jewish Community Relations Bureau hosted a wonderful interfaith service and celebration. As the keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II talked frankly about the current political climate and the very real threats our democracy faces. He reminded the in-person and virtual audience that our actions, especially voting, matter: “There’s not a single person in here who is a zero. Everybody in here can make a difference.”
The People Powered Fair Maps team is a perfect example of how we can move the needle and a wonderful reminder of why we do the work we do: Together, we can make a difference.
Ready to do more?
Check out our redistricting page to find ways you can advocate for fair maps.
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2022 Annual Meeting: Restoring Faith in Our Democracy
Democracy has had a very bad few years, and it's tempting to take a break from working toward a more perfect union. For our annual meeting, Irene Caudillo, president and CEO of El Centro, will discuss why we need to stay in the fight and narrow the gap between voters and elected officials.
Agenda:
- 9 a.m. Welcome/announcements
- 9:05 a.m. Keynote address by Irene Caudillo
- 9:45 a.m. Business portion of the annual meeting will begin.
Members will vote on the proposed budget and the board/officer nominations. For details on the agenda and votable items, watch for the digital Annual Report. which will be sent to members in mid-February.
Open to the public. All are welcome. Advanced registration required.
Proposed slate of officers for 2022-2023
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President – Janet Milkovich (1-year term)
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Co-Vice-Presidents – Connie Taylor and Andrea Vieux (1-year term)
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Treasurer – Diane Pickett (2-year-term)
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Communications – Heidi Matthews (2-year term)
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Membership – Cherish Cho (2-year term), Victoria Smith (serving for 1 more year)
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Voter Registration – Claire Reagan & Ann Schuster (1-year term)
Nominating Committee for 2022
Submitted by 2021-2022 Nominating Committee:
Mary Lou Jaramillo, chair
Leslie Mark, Kathryn Hockley, Eileen Manza, Robyn Hart
Note: League members will vote on this slate at the March 5 Annual Meeting. | |
Survey Results: Top Program Topics
January 2022 Annual Member Planning Meeting
Thank you to all those who joined our January planning meeting and shared what they felt were important topics for programs in 2022. Below are the results of the survey. Next year's vice presidents will use your input when putting together the programs.
Other topics members would like to see discussed in 2022 include:
- Mental health care funding in Kansas
- Protecting voter rights
- Education: Early childhood funding, censorship
- Climate: Transportation issues, water availability
- Housing equity
- Administration of Kansas elections
- Artificial intelligence impacts
- Immigration issues
- Judicial Reform
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DEI Moment: Black Health and Wellness
In February, 1926, noted African American historian, Carter G. Woodson, created “Negro History Week” to inspire communities to organize local events promoting the achievements by Black Americans and people of African descent. In 1976, President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month. The 2022 theme is “Black Health and Wellness,” focusing on how our healthcare system often underserves African Americans. No statistic is more compelling than the maternal mortality rate by race. According to the CDC, in 2019, the maternal mortality rate (per 100,000 live births) for Hispanic women was 12.6, for non-Hispanic white women it was 17.9 and for non-Hispanic black women, it was 44.0 – nearly double the death rate of white women. Please note that the U.S. ranks #57 in the world, alongside Latvia and Ukraine, with a maternal mortality rate of 19 per 100,000 live births.
Learn More:
Statistics: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/maternal-mortality-2021/maternal-mortality-2021.htm
What steps will reduce our maternal mortality rate? Note that the National Institutes of Health identifies addressing structural racism as a needed intervention. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7377107/
Action steps you can take:
1. Learn more and consider supporting Uzazi Village here in KC, a “nonprofit organization dedicated to decreasing maternal and infant health inequity among Black and Brown communities.” https://uzazivillage.org/
2. Learn more about the Johnson County NAACP. Virtual meetings are the second Saturday of the month at noon. https://www.jcnaacp.org/
Enrichment Activities as we honor African American History Month
February 16, African American Read-In (Olathe Public Library and MNU): https://www.mnu.edu/events/lecture-presentation-exhibit/african-american-read-0
Read the plethora of significant books by and about African Americans. Ask your JoCo librarian for suggestions.
Consider a self-guided driving tour, “A History of Segregation in Kansas City,” developed by the JoCo Library. https://voicemap.me/tour/kansas-city/dividing-lines-a-history-of-segregation-in-kansas-city
Do you know who Mamie Dillard, Carrie Langston Hughes, Eva Jessye or Oletha Faust-Goudeau are? Learn about Kansas African American suffragists then and now at: https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/mamie-dillard/20194
Have you visited the Quindaro site in KCK? https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/quindaro/15163
Submitted by Kay Heley
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TALKING ABOUT THE KANSAS ANTI-ABORTION AMENDMENT
Currently, the Kansas Constitution only protects a woman’s right to seek a safe, legal abortion within the current law - with all its restrictions. Now, that right is at risk because of a constitutional amendment that will be on the primary ballot in August 2022.
WHAT IS AT STAKE?
- The rights of people to control their own reproductive health care are under attack across the country — it is no different in Kansas. Roe v. Wade is no longer a safety net. We have to protect our rights here at home.
- Abortion is already regulated in Kansas with numerous restrictions.
- If the amendment passes, Kansans will lose their right to make these personal decisions in consultation with their doctor. Instead, politicians will interfere with these personal decisions.
- With abortion bans and restrictions sweeping country - and the real threat of Roe v. Wade being overturned - we must defend the Kansas Constitution and the rights of women.
This ballot measure would amend the bill of rights to say that “the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion” and that the state legislature has authority to pass laws regarding abortion. A “yes” vote supports amending the Kansas Constitution. A “no” vote opposes doing so.
Interested in helping to defeat this ballot measure? Contact us at contactus@lwvjoco.org. |
Legislative Coffees - Online at JoCo Library
Discover what’s percolating in the Kansas Legislature. Representatives and senators with constituents in Johnson County will discuss the new legislative session, followed by Q&A. You bring the questions!
To register to attend, visit jocolibrary.org/events and enter “Legislative Coffee” in the search bar. These programs will be hosted using the meeting software Zoom. A Johnson County Library staff member will contact registrants via the email you registered with to provide more information about the program and instructions on how to access the Zoom meetings. You do not need to download any software or create an account.
Saturday, Feb. 12,10-11 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19, 10-11 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 26, 10-11 a.m.
Saturday, March 12, 10-11 a.m.
| Wyandotte County Legislative Coffees
Saturday, February 26, 2022, 9:00 AM
This program will be co-hosted by the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library Main Branch. We will use the meeting software Zoom. Registrants will be emailed instructions on how to access the Zoom meeting. You do not need to download any software or create an account.
All Wyandotte County state legislators were invited to participate in this Legislative Coffee.
Register in advance for this free virtual forum. After registering, you will receive an email containing information about joining the meeting.
Saturday, March 26, 2022, 9:00 AM
This program will be co-hosted by the Bonner Springs Public Library and Bonner NAACP. We will use the meeting software Zoom. Registrants will be emailed instructions on how to access the Zoom meeting. You do not need to download any software or create an account.
All Bonner Springs state legislators were invited to participate in this Legislative Coffee.
Register in advance for this free virtual forum. After registering, you will receive an email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Kimberly Baker
Marla Fricke
Leslie Guillott
Mary McDowell
Lindsy Myers
Linda Tamblyn
| New to Kansas at the start of the pandemic, Mapi Buitano is finding solace in nature and a welcoming League.
| Observer Corps Reports
Catch up on the actions, decisions and proposals of our local public officials.
- Charter Commission has NO proposed amendments to submit to the BOCC
- Grants to help homeowners in Lenexa and Prairie Village
- Mask mandates and other COVID-19 news
Read the latest summaries by League members who attend several public meetings in our area.
| Board and Committee Briefs
👧🏽 Voter Girl: The Voter Girl event planned for January 29 in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri has been moved to April 9 due to COVID concerns. The location will still be the Kansas State Olathe campus, and we could still use volunteers. If you are interested, please contact lwvjocovi@gmail.com.
✔️ LWVJoCo’s legislative priorities: The board selected three issues from LWV of Kansas’s legislative priorities to be our focus this year: People Powered Fair Maps (redistricting), reproductive rights and the defeat of the August primary ballot measure, and allowing for permanent or semi-permanent advance voting by mail.
📚 #TeachTheTruth Rally: The Kansas Interfaith Action Coalition opposes legislation to limit the teaching of American history in school. Suppressing the truth of American history, even the hard parts, is disrespectful to those who fought for equality and freedom. Teaching the truth sets our children up to succeed in the most diverse American workplace ever. Join the #TeachTheTruth Rally at the KS State Capitol on Feb. 15 at noon! RSVP here.
🗳️ Reproductive rights: During the August 2022 primary, Kansans will vote on an amendment that would remove our constitutional right to have an abortion. Visit Kansans for Constitutional Freedom to learn about the bipartisan coalition the League has joined, committed to defeating the amendment. You can also visit our updated Reproductive Rights page to learn more about the amendment and actions you can take.
🔆 Charter Commission: The Charter Commission’s work is nearly done, and all amendments have been defeated. The Board of County Commissioner races will remain nonpartisan. A huge thank-you to Eileen Marshall and Alleen VanBebber for closely following the months-long process and keeping our members up to date. You can read their updates here.
⏩ Sponsored memberships: In an effort to be more inclusive of people of all economic backgrounds, LWVJoCo offers four complimentary memberships. Students can now join for free as well. If you are interested in learning more about sponsored memberships, please email our Membership co-chairs Eileen Manza or Victoria Smith.
💡 LWVUS 55th Annual Convention: LWV’s next national convention will be a hybrid event in Denver, Colo. from June 23-26, 2022. Several LWVJoCo members typically serve as delegates, and our League helps pay for delegates’ expenses. Start thinking about whether this is something you’d like to attend and watch for information here.
📰 Stay current: Read about latest work of Leagues throughout the state in the latest issue of LWVK’s VOTER Notes newsletter.
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Psst, have you heard yet? LWV.org is rocking a NEW design look!
Check it out 👉 LWV.org
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