Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | | The Voter
The official newsletter of the
League of Women Voters of Piedmont, CA.
Vol. 37, Issue 4 | November 3, 2025
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Welcome to November with the LWV of Piedmont!
In this issue:
- Holiday Luncheon - Information and Tickets!
- A Message from our President
- Volunteer With Us!
- Voter Information
- Unite and Rise 8.5
- Other League Events
- Civic Holidays and Other Dates of Note
- Immigration Around the Nation and State
- Reminders
But first, let's welcome these new members:
Sharon Anderson and Elizabeth Nixon
| | | HOLIDAY LUNCHEON - INFORMATION and TICKETS! |  | LWV of Piedmont Holiday Luncheon
Friday, December 5, 11:30a.m.-1p.m.
at
801 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont
We are pleased to host mediator, author, and peacemaker Larry Rosen for our Holiday Luncheon with the theme “The Enemies Project: Finding Connection in a Time of Division.”
The League invites guests to socialize with friends old and new, enjoy a catered holiday lunch, learn more about the League, and explore peace and understanding with our local speaker. Rosen will invite attendees to envision how individuals in community can serve as microcosms for what is possible on a broader scale, in our everyday interactions and in our willingness to engage across differences. Rosen’s talk promises to spark conversation, challenge assumptions, and inspire action around how ordinary people can become peacemakers.
Larry Rosen is a Piedmont High School father to Sadie (class of 2023) and Lila (currently a senior), founder of the mediation law practice Through Understanding, and the visionary behind his nonprofit, The Enemies Project. His wife Shelley Seto-Rosen is a PHS science teacher. Over his career, he has guided thousands toward lasting conflict resolution, and his widely-viewed TEDx talk, The Secret to Understanding Humans, has inspired audiences to reconsider how we relate to one another.
Event Details
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Date & Time: Friday, December 5, 2025, 11:30-1pm
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Location: 801 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont
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RSVP/Contact: www.lwvpiedmont.org/holidaylunch2025 $40/member, $45 non-member.
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Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
For more information on Larry Rosen and The Enemies Project, including links to their many episodes, visit https://www.enemiesproject.org.
| A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT | | LWV United States CEO, Celina Stewart gave opening remarks at the SUFFS pre-show reception. | | LWV of Piedmont members and friends enjoyed the LWV NIGHT at the SUFFS musical, including a pre-show reception and post-show talk back with LWVUS President, Dianna Wynn and cast members. While it was a fun night had by all, many of us were re-inspired to keep working for our democracy.
We invite you to join us in our work! | | | |
November 3, 2025
Dear LWV of Piedmont Members and Friends,
At the intersection of politics and history stands the compelling story of the suffragists, women who fought for our right to vote — most recently brought to life in the musical Suffs. San Francisco’s LWV hosted a wonderful League night out to see it, and while the evening was inspiring on many levels, the play’s message also served as a reminder: WE MUST KEEP GOING–especially when there is so much at stake in 2026 and beyond.
In April, LWVUS CEO Celina Stewart reminded us that our nation faces a constitutional crisis. The League responded with Unite & Rise 8.5, a clear roadmap to safeguard democracy — and it calls on each of us to act.
We all ponder the questions: “What can I do? Does this really affect me?” History answers clearly: when truth is challenged and rights are threatened, democracy frays. Ordinary people must stand up. Here in Piedmont, our work is part of a national movement to protect honest government, civil discourse, and a stronger future.
This season, I extend deep gratitude to the volunteers who keep our local League strong and visible. Yet to sustain our mission, we urgently need more hands, hearts, and minds. We are currently seeking members to fill these key roles:
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Secretary — Records minutes for monthly meetings
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VP of Membership — Welcomes and connects members
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Program Director — Shapes public programs and conversations
No special background is needed — only a belief in democracy, fairness, and community. If you have been waiting for the right moment to step in, this is it. Together, we will keep the LWV of Piedmont a trusted voice of integrity to empower voters and defend democracy.
Thank you for your commitment and courage. There is much work ahead — and no group I’d rather face it with than this League.
In League and In Purpose,
Lisa Gardner
President, League of Women Voters of Piedmont
| | LWV of Piedmont President, Lisa Gardner, LWV of California Co-President and Piedmont City Council Member, Lorrel Plimier and LWVUS President, Dianna Wynn enjoyed a reception hosted by the LWV of San Francisco before SUFFS. | | | TABLE WITH US AT THE EXPO!
Join us once again to table at the
Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo
401 Highland Avenue, Piedmont
Sunday, November 16th
2:00p.m.- 4:00p.m.
Sign up for a shift HERE!
What is the Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo? In 2022, Piedmont Recreation Commissioners Dick Carter and Lisa Gardner, together with the Piedmont Recreation Department's Eva Phalen and Chelle Putzer, commenced a sub-committee study to survey Piedmont adults about their recreation needs following the Covid-19 closure and reopening. One area they found was that, while Piedmont offers activities for adults those surveyed were aware of, many were unaware of others. As a result, one of the recommendations Carter and Gardner offered the City was to create the Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo as a way of introducing adults to the numerous recreation opportunities within Piedmont through this event. Additionally, through the survey and the subcommittee, we learned that civic engagement, volunteerism, and programming such as what the LWV of Piedmont offer is a high priority for many adults!
We look forward, once again, to partnering with the City and other Piedmont based organizations to share about our League and seeing you on Sunday, November 16th, 2-4pm at the EXPO ! |  | | VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We are an all volunteer organization with "jobs" that range from once in a while tasks, like tabling for the Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo, to full year positions, listed below.
We currently have these volunteer roles, which can be done with a friend, ready to be filled:
- Secretary
- VP of Membership
- Program Director
Join our group of fun, passionate volunteers, and make a difference in our community!
For more information, please contact Lisa Gardner today by email at Lgardner555@gmail.com or by phone 510-867-9221.
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In the September 1st issue of The Voter, we explained the LWV-US Unite and Rise 8.5 movement. The goal is to motivate 8.5 million Americans to take nonviolent action in support of our democracy.
The actions that we can take in November include: Building Sustainable Partnerships. To this end, we look forward to connecting with other Leagues and organizations to bring you informative programming, volunteer opportunities and voter information as we go into the 2026 Mid-Term Elections.
For more information, go to www.lwv.org/uniteandrise and commit to being a part of this vital initiative for democracy.
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CIVIC HOLIDAYS and OTHER DATES of NOTE
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Upcoming Civic Holidays
Are you an Election Hero? If so, Monday, November 3, 2025 is your day to shine!
The League of Women Voters of Piedmont would like to thank everyone who participated in making our elections happen!
| | | | Veteran's Day
Tuesday, November 11th
Thank you, to all our Veterans who have served our country and to Piedmont City Council Member, LWV California Co-President AND Veteran, Lorrel Plimier for your ongoing service for OUR democracy!
| | |  |  | International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
is
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
#NoExcuse
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.
For at least 51,100 women in 2023, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act—their murder by partners and family members. That means a woman was killed every 10 minutes.
This scourge has intensified in different settings, including the workplace and online spaces, and has been exacerbated by conflicts, and climate change.
The solution lies in robust responses, holding perpetrators accountable, and accelerating action through well-resourced national strategies and increased funding to women’s rights movements.
For more information and credit for the above: https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day
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LWV California Events
Stay connected with other Leagues in California and their events here:
https://lwvc.org/events/
Here are events from around the Bay Area:
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Indivisble Tri-Valley Presents:
Understanding Medical Misinformation Through a Scientific Lens
Sunday, November 9, 2025
1:30p.m. to 3:00p.m.
by Zoom
This event is hosted by Indivisible Tri-Valley. LWVDV is sharing this event information as a courtesy to our membership.
Join Indivisible Tri-Valley for a panel discussion on medical misinformation and its impact on public trust and public health. The event will begin with a brief introduction, followed by an interactive discussion with a panel of experts.
Discussion will include:
- What medical misinformation is and how widespread it has become
- Its impact on public trust, health behaviors, and community well-being
- Why misinformation spreads so effectively
- Practical ways to counter it through fact-checking, credible sources, and improved scientific literacy
Participants will:
- Learn to distinguish between misinformation, disinformation, and evolving scientific knowledge
- Recognize the psychological and social factors that make misinformation appealing (prebunking)
- Gain practical strategies for debunking misinformation in personal networks
- Build skills to identify credible sources and effective fact-checking methods
- Explore the balance between individual choice and public good in public health
For more information and to register for the event, see: Understanding Medical Misinformation Through a Scientific Lens.
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League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville
Fall Meeting: Reproductive Justice
A CONVERSATION ON REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE WITH DR. NICOLE BARNETT
Wednesday, November 13, 2025, at 6:30p.m.
The League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, and Emeryville (LWVBAE), in partnership with Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal), proudly announces an evening with Dr. Nicole Barnett, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California, for an inspiring discussion on *Reproductive Justice: Equity, Access, and the Future of Care.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: DR. NICOLE BARNETT
Dr. Nicole Barnett recently assumed the role of President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California on July 1, 2025, after serving as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer since April 2024 and as a Board Member for seven years, including three as Board Chair.
A fierce champion for reproductive freedom and health equity, Dr. Barnett brings decades of leadership experience in clinical, operational, and community health settings. Before joining PPNorCal, she held numerous senior leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente, including Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Executive of Richmond Medical Center and Regional Director of Nursing and Clinical Practice for Northern California. Her work has driven measurable improvements in equitable care delivery and reduced health disparities across underserved communities.
A trained sexual assault response nurse, Dr. Barnett has provided critical forensic exams and served as an expert witness, ensuring justice for survivors. She began this vital work after early training at PPNorCal’s Fairfield Health Center—a full-circle connection that underscores her enduring commitment to reproductive health and justice.
Dr. Barnett is also a passionate educator and mentor, having lectured and served as a clinical instructor in nursing and public health programs throughout the Bay Area. She holds degrees from Oberlin College, Contra Costa College School of Nursing, and California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she earned her BSN and MBA, and a Doctor of Health Sciences from Nova Southeastern University.
EVENT DETAILS
- Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: Zoom
- Cost: The donation of a minimum of $40, appreciated. Students encouraged to attend for free.
All proceeds will support the work of LWVBAE and Planned Parenthood Northern California.
- REGISTER HERE http://bit.ly/49h2QuL
- For more information email press@lwvbae.org or follow @LWVBAE and @PPNorCal on social media.
MEDIA CONTACT: League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, and Emeryville - Email: press@lwvbae.org | Website: www.lwvbae.org
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IMMIGRATION: Around the nation and state
|  | LWV US has stated that immigration policies should promote the reunification of immediate families, meet economic, business, and employment needs, and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. https://www.lwv.org/other-issues/immigration.
LWVC has stated its position at https://lwvc.org/position/position-immigration. The LWVC has noted that ICE’s operations in Los Angeles and around California mark a troubling escalation – workplace raids coupled with the arrest of community members exercising their First Amendment rights to observe and protest. These tactics, along with the federal activation of the California National Guard and the deployment of U.S. Marines, weaponize fear to terrorize not just undocumented residents, but anyone who would stand with their neighbors or participate in democratic discourse. See https://lwvc.org/ice-activity-escalating-resources-protect-communities.
LWV US and LWVC issued a joint statement on June 8, 2025, stating in part:
The President villainizing protestors is nothing but a performance to direct violence against the American people. By deploying the National Guard, against the wishes of state officials, the administration intends to cause fear and distract from their inhumane immigration raids [and] silence voices of dissent. The President's overreach signals a larger crackdown on protests across the country meant to intimidate us from speaking out…The League of Women Voters condemns these actions. … We will not be intimidated into silence. See www.lwv.org/press-releases.
The League urges everyone who is concerned about ongoing ICE activity to learn about the resources listed below.
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Join, or Renew Your LWVP Membership!
Continue your commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy by joining or renewing your membership with the League. The new system, through LWVUS, allows you to pay what you want (with a minimum of $20), and to set up auto-renewal. Membership lasts for one year after joining or renewal (on a rolling basis). To renew, please click here: https://portal.lwv.org/membership?state=CA&league=0012E00001usOAhQAM
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Weekly Virtual “Lunch with the League”
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Join us for a weekly virtual lunch date with LWV of Piedmont, President Lisa Gardner. Come learn about our plans, discover opportunities to get involved, share your ideas for events, activities, or projects, or chat local, state, national or global politics!
Registration is required.
Drop in for a bit or stay for the whole hour. Every Tuesday, 12-1pm Zoom Register Here:
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We're social. Connect with us!
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Not yet a member of LWVP?
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