League of Women Voters of Oak Park & River Forest Newsletter March 2022 Volume 8 Issue 8 |
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Dear Friends,
March brings a new season, 40 days of fasting for some, an Irish celebration for all, and a reminder of women’s history. This year’s theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” While that is a tall order, it’s fitting given the last two years.
It is with deep gratitude that we acknowledge the women in both the front lines and behind, who kept us safe, clean, informed, healthy, taught, fed, and clothed during the pandemic. We are particularly indebted to those women who gave comfort and held the hand of a loved one when we could not. It was a heavy load, and their grace does indeed inspire hope.
If you’re interested in “herstories,” read about Latinas who made baseball history; Dr. Gladys Tantaquidgeon, a Mohegan medicine woman; women of color who made STEM history; and the poignant story of Holocaust survivor Camilla Gottleib’s purse. All these and more are being collected by the Smithsonian in advance of the future Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. Read about them here.
As members of the LWV we know, of course, the history of suffrage. Or do we? Read this thoughtful article by Vassar College history professor Rebecca Edwards: “These women never saw suffrage as their only goal or even their main one. The combined injustices of marital coverture, racism, economic oppression and sexual violence were more central to their vision. Indeed, the 19th Amendment wasn’t a global fix. Passed in the Jim Crow Era, it did little to expand political rights for African-American women in the South, who remained disfranchised until the later civil rights movement.” Read about this history here.
Congratulations to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to be nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court! We wish you fortitude as you successfully maneuver what will likely be a repulsive confirmation process; we have your back.
Eleanor Roosevelt was born into great privilege during the Gilded Age, yet she advocated for expanded roles for women in the workplace, the civil rights of African Americans and Asian Americans, and the rights of World War II refugees. Help celebrate Women’s History month and hear her story on Sunday, March 20 at 2:00pm. See below to order tickets.
It is the end of the third day of what experts call the worst outbreak of war since Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939. An unprovoked, full-out war was launched by Russia against a sovereign nation with a democratically elected president. Full stop. Please remember our democracy-loving Ukrainian sisters and brothers and keep them in your thoughts.
Peace,
Jane and Joan
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What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than to hear Eleanor Roosevelt’s story told in her own words in a virtual performance on Sunday, March 20, at 2:00pm? Tickets are $25 and will benefit League programs.
This one-woman show presented by Schaumburg’s Lynn Rymarz is a fundraiser for the LWV OPRF. The Zoom presentation will be followed by a Q&A with Ms. Rymarz, who performs as famous women in history such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Hamilton, and Julia Child. Go here to purchase tickets.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Her Story, Her Day, is drawn from her writings, including her long-running newspaper column, My Day. Discover the path that led her on the journey to her marriage to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to being the mother of six children, and to the White House, where she will tell you of her work during WWII. She will share with you how she gained the confidence to step out of the traditional women’s role and how she faced her fears, celebrated her joys, and grew from her struggles as a daughter, wife, mother, and friend. See and share the flyer here.
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Next Week! Second Tuesday Forum |
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Sign up now to learn about The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact: What is it? How does it Work? coming on Zoom March 8, 9:30am. Our new LWV OPRF member Barbara Paterick will discuss the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and what it could mean nationally and for Illinois. For additional information on the NPVIC, go here. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
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LWV IL Issues Briefing Starts This Week |
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There is still time to register for the LWV IL Issues Briefing. Sessions are scheduled every day from Saturday, March 5, to Friday, March 11. Cost of $25 pays for all sessions. Go here to register.
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Have you thought about getting more involved in the League and our mission of advancing democratic principles? Meeting interesting people? Designing thought provoking programs?
Our local League has openings for 2022-23:
Treasurer: The board member tracks local league finances—familiarity with QuickBooks is a plus.
Second Tuesday: A chair or co-chairs organize this monthly (October – April) civic forum and facilitates discussion on timely issues such as sustainability, redistricting, and the Electoral College.
Advocacy: This committee chair helps members advance League positions with our elected officials by setting up meetings and facilitating communication.
Observers: Coordinates with our volunteers who observe and report on public meetings.
Our outgoing members in these positions are more than happy to help with the transition. For more information, contact Nominating Committee co-chairs Judith Crown, or Tina Birnbaum,
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Chicago Women's History Center - Sunday, March 6 - 2:00-3:30pm - Illinois' Reproductive Health Act and the War on Women's Choice: History, Policy and Practice. Register for this virtual free program here.
Oak Park River Forest Museum - Tuesday, March 22 - 7:00pm - Universal Suffrage: Looking Back and Forward - Jeanne Schultz Angel, presenter. Tickets are $10 and $7 for members for this IN PERSON program. Register here.
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Thanks to everyone who purchased popcorn from Double Good last week. This easy peasy and delicious fundraiser raised $760 for our League! More than $1520 worth of popcorn was purchased by 35 supporters from three states. There were 14 essential worker donations. Thanks to everyone who supported these efforts! |
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