In this issue:
- President's Message
- Announcing 'Empowering Texas Voters' Podcast!
- Calendar of Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
- Women's Equality Day Event at Dallas City Hall
- 2025 League of Women Voters of Dallas Awards Luncheon
- Championing Change: Advocacy
- One Person One Vote campaign
- Board of Directors Opening
- Happy 90th birthday to member Harryette Ehrhardt
- Call to Action: Support the Equal Rights Amendment
- Become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar!
- New Members
| President's Message:
From the Desk of Sandy Thornton
It’s been a busy summer, and we haven’t entered the busy part of the election year yet!
We had our first meeting of the new board, elected in May, in June. As President, I am so pleased with the knowledge and enthusiasm of the returning board members. Our new board members, who are learning about the League and bringing so much positive energy, have already significantly contributed to what we have committed to accomplishing this year.
We will:
- Have a strategic planning session to set our goals for the next three to five years
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Update the Dallas League Handbook
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Freshen our website, review information, and archive dated information
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Work with coalition groups to register voters and Get Out the Vote
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Provide voter education via classroom instruction at colleges and universities in Dallas
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Provide voter education at senior living centers
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Provide registration and voter education events at public libraries and neighborhood associations
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Present weekly podcasts on voter education and more up until the November election
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Provide Voter Guides and Vote411.org to the public
Whew! All of that in the first six months of our fiscal year. Come join us as volunteers to help make this happen.
In late June, we sent four delegates to the National League convention. This was an energetic and inspiring event for us. The LWVUS Board recommended and the following were approved at convention:
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“Readoption of the Campaign for Making Democracy Work as recommended program for 2024-2026 which includes redistricting reform, voting rights protection, improving elections, money in politics and abolishing the Electoral College.
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Retention of all LWVUS positions in the areas of Representative Government, International Relations, Natural Resources and Social Policy as outlined in Impact on Issues.
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Concurrence with the LWV Washington state positions on the Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy.
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LWVUS-wide study on the Federal Judiciary.”
There seems to be renewed excitement in our Presidential election in November, but don’t forget there are down-ballot races. These races for US Senate, US House of Representatives, Texas Senate, and the Texas House of Representatives can affect our lives as much as or more than the Presidential race. The League will never endorse or denounce candidates or political parties. Still, it is our obligation to inform the public about the mechanics of voting and voter registration, to promote non-partisan information about issues, and to provide responses from candidates to relevant questions about the offices they seek.
To our members, prospective members, and volunteers - we need your help to meet the goals laid out above. Join us in Making Democracy Work.
In League,
Sandy Thornton
President LWV Dallas
| Announcing the 'Empowering Texas Voters' Podcast!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new podcast series, "Empowering Texas Voters: A Journey Through Voting Issues.” This weekly podcast is your go-to resource for everything you need to know to navigate the voting process successfully in Texas.
As we approach election day, join us on a journey through the intricacies of voting, from understanding voter rights to demystifying ballot measures. Our series is designed to empower and educate voters from all walks of life, ensuring that every voice is heard at the polls.
You can tune in to "Empowering Texas Voters" on Apple Podcasts and YouTube, with new episodes released weekly. Whether you're a seasoned voter or casting your ballot for the first time, this podcast is your guide to making informed decisions and participating in our democracy. | Calendar
Click here to view our full calendar
Program Events
Dallas Unity Concert: Your Vote Rocks!
Saturday, August 24th, Dallas Public Library Central Branch. More information here.
Women’s Equality Day Event: "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress"
Candidate Forums
Candidate Forum: US Texas Congress District 32 - October 4 12:00PM - 1:00PM at North Dallas Chamber of Commerce and on Facebook. Click here to register to attend in-person and click here for the Facebook stream.
Candidate Forum: TX State House District 115 - October 9 12:00PM - 1:00PM at North Dallas Chamber of Commerce and on Facebook. Click here to register to attend in-person and click here for the Facebook stream.
Candidate Forum: Texas State Board of Education District 12 - October 15 12:00PM - 1:00PM at North Dallas Chamber of Commerce and on Facebook. Click here to register to attend in-person and click here for the Facebook stream.
Volunteer Opportunities
Voter Registration at Richland Campus, Dallas College August 26 - 29. Multiple time slots available. Click here to volunteer.
|  | Save the Date: Celebrate Women's Equality Day!
Join us in recognizing the 105th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment on Women's Equality Day at Dallas City Hall. The special event themed "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress" features Karen Hughes White, President & CEO of Texas Women's Foundation, as our esteemed speaker.
Save the date for Wednesday, August 28, 2024, and gather at the Dallas City Hall Lobby located at 1500 Marilla St., Dallas. We celebrate on the City Council meeting day closest to August 26, the official Women's Equality Day. During the event, enjoy a complimentary box lunch provided for all registered attendees.
Space is limited so we request that you please RSVP at lwvdallas.org. For more information about the Women's Equality Day event, reach out to Cecilia McKay at cemck@currently.com. We eagerly anticipate your presence as we continue our journey toward a future where all women thrive.
Join us, wear white, and be a part of this transformative event. Together, we can accelerate progress and create a more equitable society. | The 2025 League of Women Voters Dallas Award Luncheon
HOLD THE DATE
2025 League of Women Voters of Dallas Awards Luncheon
VOICES FOR CHANGE
Friday, February 21, 2025
11:00-1:30 p.m.
Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum,
14901 Dallas Parkway
Making Democracy Work Award 2025 recipient
Froswa Booker-Drew, Soulstice Consultancy
Eleanor Sutherland Volunteer Award 2025 recipient
Veronica Torres-Hazley, Torres Hazley Enterprises
Speaker
Mark Melton, Board Chair Dallas Eviction Advocacy Center
and recipient of the 2023 Eleanor Sutherland Volunteer Award
Co-chairs
Cristal Retana Lule, Children’s Health Community Relations Officer
and 2024 recipient of the Eleanor Sutherland Volunteer Award
Michelle George, Bank of Texas VP and Senior Community Relations Manager
Mistress of Ceremony
Lisa Sherrod, AT&T Assistant VP External & Legislative Affairs
and 2020 Luncheon Co-chair
| Championing Change: Advocacy
As we gear up for the upcoming elections and the next Texas legislative session, we invite you to join the League's advocacy efforts. This is your chance to make a tangible impact on the issues that matter most to our community. Whether you're passionate about being part of an issue committee or stepping up as an issue chair, we need your voice.
Join our LWVD Advocacy Group to champion change and lift up the issues that shape our future.
Interested?
Please fill out the form, and our Co-Advocacy chairs will contact you soon.
Together, we can make a difference! | One Person One Vote Campaign
The League has long opposed the Electoral College. This spring, LWVUS launched the One Person One Vote campaign to achieve a new system for electing future presidents by direct popular vote. It only made sense to kick off the Convention with an all-woman expert panel discussion about the movement to abolish the Electoral College.
Moderator Celina Stewart, LWVUS chief counsel and senior director of Advocacy and Litigation, was joined by historian and author Carolyn Dupont, program director Keesha Gaskins-Nathan, and advocacy and policy strategist Na'ilah Amaru.
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Happy 90th birthday to member Harryette Ehrhardt!
Our long-time contributing member and dear friend, Harryette Ehrhardt is celebrating her 90th birthday this month. To celebrate, Harryette invites her friends to make a donation to their favorite charity. How about a $90 donation to the League to celebrate our friend? | |
Call to Action: Support the Equal Rights Amendment
This weekend is the 101-year anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention, where Alice Paul first introduced the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The Equal Rights Amendment will enshrine equality of rights under the law, regardless of sex, in the Constitution.
More than a century later, the ERA is still not published in the US Constitution, leaving women and others across the nation vulnerable to having their rights further denied and eroded.
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Become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar!
Dallas County invites individuals to join its Volunteer Deputy Registrar (VDR) Program to support voter registration. VDRs play a crucial role by helping people officially register to vote. Learn more about the qualifications, duties, and procedures of becoming a VDR here.
There are multiple upcoming VDR training sessions in August and September. You can sign up for one here.
Spanish is a huge asset for voter engagement!
Are you a LWV member or voter services volunteer who speaks Spanish and would like to become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar (VDR)? We want your help to increase Latino voter registration and turnout. Norma Arratia is coordinating with Dallas County Elections to create a VDR training in Spanish over the summer. If you are fluent in Spanish please reach out to Norma at narratia227@gmail.com if you are interested in the Spanish VDR training.
| Welcome to our new members!
Catherine Gorman
Megan Manning
Keisha Nixon
Jennifer Porter
Nicole Reger
Karen Reid
Marie-Louise Van Hummel
Mary Wilson Dibbern | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | |
League of Women Voters of Dallas
6060 N. Central Expwy, Ste #500
Dallas, Texas 75206
(214) 688-4125
info@lwvdallas.org
lwvdallas.org
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