Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | | The Voter
The official newsletter of the
League of Women Voters of Piedmont, CA.
Vol. 37, Issue 5 | December 2, 2025
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Welcome to November with the LWV of Piedmont!
In this issue:
- Thank you, Volunteers!
- A Message From Our President
- Special Announcement
- Volunteer With Us!
- Voter Information
- Unite and Rise 8.5
- Other League Events
- Dates of Note
- Immigration Around the Nation and State
- Reminders and Club Express Notice
- Weekly Virtual "Lunch with the League"
But first, let's welcome these new members:
Denise Bostrom, Amanda Docter, Ginger Gardner, and Nancy Lenahan
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On Sunday, November 16th, 2025, from 2–4 p.m., the Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo brought community members together at the Piedmont Veterans Hall for an afternoon that was both fun and informative. The event offered a vibrant showcase of local programs, resources, and opportunities for adult engagement in Piedmont—and the League was proud to be part of it.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to members Allison Knapp and Lorrel Plimier for staffing our table and warmly representing the League throughout the event. We also appreciate Elene Manolis, who was tabling with the Piedmont Seniors, for stopping by to cheer us on with her signature enthusiasm. Moments like these remind us how strong and spirited our League community is when we show up together.
Thank you to everyone who participated to make the Expo a success!
| | LWVP Member Elene Manolis (far right) and Friends table for the Piedmont Seniors at the Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo 2025. | | Lorrel Plimier and Allison Knapp chat with Mark Herrick about the League of Women Voters of Piedmont. | | | | A fun and informative afternoon was had by all at the 2025 Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo!
See you next year! | | Piedmont City Council Member, Lorrel Plimier and Piedmont Mayor Betsy Anderson, take a moment to chat with Piedmont Adult Recreation Expo Co-Chairs, Dick Carter and Lisa Gardner. | | | A Message From Our President | |
December 2, 2025
Dear LWV of Piedmont Members and Friends,
As the year draws to a close, winter invites reflection, and in the quiet between holidays and the turning of the calendar, I am personally appreciative of those who carried the work of the League before us: organizers, advocates, and community-builders who refused to let complacency take root.
This month, as we celebrate the progress, (see our statewide Advocacy Wrap Up and our LWV California Year in Review ) I am reminded that the coming year will demand steadfast resolve. The challenges facing our democracy are serious, but so is our capacity to meet them. The League’s national call to Unite & Rise 8.5 continues to guide our efforts, reminding us that defending truth, expanding participation, and strengthening community are not seasonal commitments — they are everyday acts of citizenship.
Here in Piedmont, our strength has always come from our people - longtime members, new members, volunteers, partners, and friends — who have shown up, spoken out, and ensured our League remains a respected voice. To that end we have key volunteer opportunities, which can all be done with a friend, that when filled will assist us to better do our work. They include:
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Secretary
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VP of Membership
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Program Director
If you would like more information about these roles, please feel free to contact me personally by phone at 510-867-9221 or by email Lgardner555@gmail.com.
In League and In Purpose,
Lisa Gardner
President, League of Women Voters of Piedmont
| On October 28, 2025, Kandea Mosley Gandhi, of the LWV of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville, and our own Piedmont City Council Member, and former LWV of Piedmont President, Lorrel Plimier were appointed as Co-Presidents of the League of Women Voters of California. Both bring deep experience as League leaders and a strong commitment to collaborative leadership. The LWV of California Board has watched many local Leagues successfully adopt shared presidencies, and this model continues to prove its value. A Co-Presidency reduces the pressure on any single leader, acknowledges the time demands faced by members who may hesitate to take on the presidency alone, and opens the door for more intergenerational leadership. Together, Kandea and Lorrel will help shape a more sustainable, inclusive model for governing the League.
The League of Women Voters of Piedmont congratulates Kandea and Lorrel and looks forward to rolling up our sleeves to do the work of the League! |  | League of Women Voters of California, Co-Presidents Kandea Mosley Gandhi and Lorrel Plimier attend the "No-Kings" protest in Albany, CA on Saturday, October 18, 2025. | | 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 December include: National Partnerships for Local Engagement. 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.
Check out this short informative video about Unite and Rise 8.5 courtesy of the League of Women Voters of Austin Area and find ways to support Unite and Rise 8.5 in our community.
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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LWV California Events
Stay connected with other Leagues in California and their events HERE.
Here are other events to consider, below.
| | | Sunday, December 7, 2025 - 3:30-5 p.m. PST
An Invitation for League of Women Voters Members:
The League of Women Voters of California is pleased to announce the launch of a new statewide Advocacy Interest Group for its members: the Reparations Advocacy Interest Group (RAIG).
Building on the Oakland League’s groundbreaking Reparations Task Force, RAIG will bring together League members from across the state to learn, discuss, and explore how the League’s values and positions align with ongoing reparations efforts at both the state and local levels.
With California laying the groundwork for future reparations programs through bills such as SB 437 and SB 518, members are invited to deepen their understanding of this issue and engage in meaningful dialogue.
RAIG will provide education, resources, and space for thoughtful conversation as we collectively examine the history, current legislation, and emerging advocacy opportunities. All California League members are invited to join RAIG’s online Meet & Greet on Sunday, December 7, from 3:30–5:00 PM—please share widely and encourage interested members to sign up.
|  | | Friday, December 12, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 p.m. PST
Racial Justice Act-Community Webinar
Celebrate the passage of AB 1071 (Kalra) Racial Justice Act: Court Procedures by joining our community webinar on Friday, December 12 from 12:00-1:00 PM. Join American Friends Service Committee, Amnesty International, California Coalition for Women Prisoners, the California Public Defenders’ Association, Californians United for a Responsible Budget, the Ella Baker Center, Initiate Justice, Silicon Valley Debug, and USF School of Law to celebrate the passage of this impactful bill.
In 2020, we helped pass the California Racial Justice Act (RJA), authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra and supported by a coalition of social justice organizations. Our work continues today with AB 1071, which will ensure access and clear pathways to justice for both people incarcerated in state prisons and those formerly incarcerated.
Join us as we reflect on the legislative wins of this year, share key updates on how this bill could impact your loved one’s case, and discuss the future of the Racial Justice Act. We hope to see you there! | | | |
From the League of Women Voters of California: Join us in strengthening democracy across California. This year, our focus is Countdown to Midterms: Invest in Democracy. Together, we aim to raise $12,000 to expand voter education and ensure Californians understand the true power of their vote.
Please go HERE to make a contribution to this important fundraiser. | | | |
On this day we honor the lives lost in the 1941 attack and all who served during World War II
| | | | December 15th is National Bill of Rights Day!
President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Bill of Rights Day on December 15, 1941. We recognize the importance and history of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. | | | 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.
| Reminders and Club Express Notice
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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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NEWS FROM CLUB EXPRESS
Starting in early December and into 2026, you may notice some new user interfaces when you login to our LWVP website. They are built to make your experience faster and more intuitive. We’re not changing any features or functionality, just offering a better interface!
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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:
Starting soon, we will be hosting a series called "Docs and Discussions". Together, we will watch a short documentary and share a conversation together about what we watched.
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We're social. Connect with us!
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Not yet a member of LWVP?
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