January 18, 2022

GWC January/February 2022 Newsletter


Letter from the Editor

As we welcome yet another year, and hope that this new year brings more fortune, let’s not forget our strength and resolution as Democrats. We must not lose sight of the progress we’ve made, even in light of sideways, or even some backwards, steps. We are moving forward! -- and the Global Women’s Caucus is resolute on maintaining that movement. 

2022 is another important election year. As you read the GWC Newsletter, we hope you will be encouraged and encourage others to VOTE. Be sure to request your ballot at https://www.votefromabroad.org/. It's recommended to request your ballot every year. For those of you voting in Texas, the first primary is March 1st. Your vote matters.

The GWC is growing, and we need your help. Join our team for this very important midterm year. Consider volunteering with us, help friends and family register to vote, or donate! It’s the new year, so make sure you’re registered to vote here!

We hope you enjoy this edition, and we look forward to seeing you at our events!

Stayce Camparo, Communications Co-director, Global Women’s Caucus

Over 10,000 members and growing! Join us

      


EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Political Framing: Building Bridges in Divided Communities

Join us to hear Dr. Dustie Spencer guide us through how to use the tool of “framing” to bridge Democratic messaging to a larger and often sceptical constituency of voters.

***  ****  ***


Books Abroad, The Global Women’s Caucus Feminist reading group, is excited to kick off the new year with an unforgettable read and discussion about the roots of misogyny, written by world renowned classicist Mary Beard.

***  ****  ***

RSVP to join one of our upcoming Zoom calls and learn more about our Violence Against Women research project that provides tactical and practical information to American women overseas who find themselves in violent situations. Our efforts also go towards advocating for legislation stateside.

***  ****  ***

Stay tuned for details about events taking place during Black History Month, including a film showing and discussion: “A Ballerina’s Tale” A documentary on African American ballerina Misty Copeland that examines her prodigious rise alongside themes of race and body image in the elite ballet world.

***  ****  ***

For a full list of events, including from other caucuses & chapters, visit our Events page.


GWC ACTION UPDATES

Happy New Year to all of our women warriors!

May 2022 bring us guaranteed women’s health, including contraception and abortions for all who want them!

The Reproductive Justice Action Team is continuing to have monthly webex meetings to discuss the dire state of anti-choice legislation and the SCOTUS Mississippi case. The situation is going from bad to worse as States write “trigger” laws that make abortion illegal if the Supreme Court overrules Roe v Wade. The Women’s Health Protection Act is stuck in the Senate with no visibility of when a vote will take place.

So, join the RJ team in a video campaign aimed at voters in States where we need people to register and vote to change the legislative landscape on anti-choice.

We just need a short 60 second video (instructions here), explaining why you feel it is imperative that women have the right to decide.

Our wonderful Angela Fobbs is going to help us edit the videos and make the clips into a YouTube worthy film. The more videos we get, the more we can saturate the media in the States that will make a difference.

***  ****  ***

January 27, 2020 was a historic day for women when the Virginia legislature ratified the U.S. Equal Rights Amendment – the 38th and last state needed to ratify the ERA before it was added to the U.S. Constitution. The full ERA text states:

Section 1: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States
or by any state on account of sex. 

Section 2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. 

Section 3: This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

That should mean that the ERA takes effect on January 27, 2022, HOWEVER, the U.S. Archivist has still not added the amendment to the Constitution.

Democrats Abroad, in conjunction with the ERA Coalition, is planning to submit a petition to Attorney General Garland on Jan 27, 2022. These signatures will be combined with a petition from Daily Kos. Please make sure your signature is on it – click here to sign.  

Need some inspiration to sign it – watch this 1 minute video.

Join Gloria Steinem, Alyssa Milano, and all supporters of equality in refusing to shut up until the Equal Rights Amendment is no longer held up!

Contact Shari Temple at [email protected] if you’d like to get more actively involved.

***  ****  ***

To volunteer with any of our teams, simply fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.


International News

Women’s Caucus Canada: Printable Postcards to Pass the WHPA

Reach out to your Democrats Abroad country committee with an eye-catching postcard encouraging them to contact their representatives and tell them to support the WHPA.  Reproductive rights need our protection now more than ever, and these postcards designed by Yael Glinda in Toronto will get your members’ attention!


Articles

Rights of Nature and Criminalizing Ecocide
By: Ann Baker

Those who most directly suffer the consequences of ecocide are most often rural, indigenous or poor populations, of which a majority are women. Read more...

***  ****  ***


Artist Corner 

Covid Manifesto

Cauleen Smith

https://www.theshowroom.org/exhibitions/cauleen-smith-covid-manifesto

At the beginning of the pandemic, 2020, Cauleen Smith took to writing notes about her experiences during lockdown while encouraging others to continue to connect with one another. Her artistic work is multi-disciplinary, and examines structuralist impacts on daily life. Covid Manifesto was displayed on the Piccadilly Lights in November 2020.


In Closing

As the 2020 general election attested, Democrats Abroad are a force that can make real change. We need that force activated once again for the ‘22 midterms. Consider joining the Global Women’s Caucus, and connecting with thousands of others on the same mission as we build our community strong. As a member, you can receive newsletters and meet other Americans at our events. Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube. Our website is constantly being updated with news and actions to get you and your family involved in the noble campaign for women.

And please remember that because we are a 100% all-volunteer organization, your donation goes a long, long way.

Even a tiny contribution means a lot to us!

Please follow this link and give what you can.

Thank you for reading this issue, and please share with your friends and family.

In solidarity,

The Global Women’s Caucus