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Date: 12/15/2021
Subject: LWV of Piedmont | The Voter | December 15, 2021
From: League of Women Voters of Piedmont



Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.


Upcoming League Events
Defending Democracy Speaker Series
Starting January 11th at 4pm
Defending Democracy Series
The League of Women Voters of Piedmont, California proudly presents our 2022 Defending Democracy Speaker Series. This virtual speaker series will cover a range of topics related to elections, voters, and the health of our democracy. This series is cosponsored by a number of other local Leagues. Please visit our website for a complete list.

The talks will be held live on Zoom and YouTube and will each include question and answer sessions from the audience. All events begin at 4pm PST and are free and open to the public.
 
When: January 11, 2022 at 4pm
Where: Online via Zoom and YouTube (register for free to receive the Zoom link)
 
The series begins on January 11, 2022 with Carol Moon Goldberg, President of LWV of California, who will discuss voting rights.

Subsequent events include:
  • February 10: Rob Richie, President and CEO of Fair Vote, will discuss Rank Choice Voting
  • March 1: Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law, will discuss Election Law and the Supreme Court
  • March 30: Dr. Fiona Hill, Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution and former Senior Director for European & Russian Affairs at the National Security Council, will give us  an International View of US Election Subversion and the State of our Democracy.

Looking for some last minute gift ideas? Consider the following book ideas from speakers in our Defending Democracy Series.

In the News
Dr. Ingrid Banks joined LWVP on Friday, December 3, 2021 to discuss the origins and scholarship of Critical Race Theory (CRT). Participants were given homework prior to the event to learn about the origins and foundations of the theory from some of its founders. Those readings are linked below.

To watch the recording of the full event, please visit our YouTube channel.
 

Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard
PUSD Names New Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Piedmont Unified School District (PUSD) is excited to announce Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard, Ph.D., as its new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With over 18 years of progressive leadership experience in education, Dr. Vanden Wyngaard will lead PUSD’s effort to implement its goals and actions in regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the entire District.

“I am excited for this opportunity to be a part of the Piedmont community and to help PUSD achieve its goals involving this important work,” said Dr. Vanden Wyngaard. “I can’t wait to get started working with these amazing students and educators and build on the momentum that’s already in place.”



Action Alerts!
White House Grounds

Take Action: Tell President Biden to Champion Federal Voting Reforms

The Biden-Harris Administration rose into office only after the historic 2020 election achieved record-shattering voter participation and necessary expansions to voter access during a deadly pandemic. But now those very same expansive innovations and reforms for voting are under direct assault across the country. The League is calling for the White House to harness its substantial power and influence to lead the fight for voting rights reforms.

 Contact Pres. Biden

 

Take Action: Tell the US Senate to Support the Freedom to Vote Act

The fight for voting rights has been a long and enduring battle. The Freedom to Vote Act is a transformative voting rights bill that will protect and expand the right to vote, decrease the influence of money in politics and curb partisan gerrymandering. The Freedom to Vote Act ensures that our democracy is protected and serves the American people. Your voice will continue the fight for this sweeping voting rights package.

 

Take Action:  Tell Your Senators to Support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

Since the Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder rolled back key provisions of the VRA, the voting rights of millions have been threatened. These attacks have become more prevalent in the last few years, with the VRA being further comprised in the more recent Brnovich v. DNC.

The new version of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will restore the VRA and put an end to discriminatory voting policies.
 

Other Happenings
LWVP Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 5th at 7pm
Our next Board meeting is Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at 7pm. Our board meetings are open to all League members. If you would like to learn more about the League or are interested in becoming more involved, we'd love for you to join us. Register on our website for the Zoom link.





LWVP Book Club
January 18th at 4pm
Kill Switch book
For our January, 2022 book club meeting, we will be discussing "Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy" by Adam Jentleson. Please register and leave the "Send Confirmation Emails to Event Registrant" checked to receive the Zoom link in your inbox.

The book club discussion is open to the public - you don't have to be a League member. We hope you'll join us!


Great Decisions 2022
Registration Opens in January
2022 Great Decisions cover
The LWVP Great Decisions discussion group will be meeting virtually for 2022. We will meet every other week for eight sessions starting early February of 2022 to discuss each of the eight topics below plus the bonus topic of Changing Demographics. We will have at least one daytime group and one evening group.
Discussion times will be decided in early January 2022 and registration will open at that time. Interested in joining our discussion group? Complete the short interest survey below.
 
 
Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs with materials and resources produced by the Foreign Policy Association. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book, watching the DVD and meeting in a Discussion Group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. Each year, eight topics are chosen by a panel of experts. The grassroots, face-to-face model adopted by Great Decisions more than 50 years ago continues today, with tens of thousands of participants taking part in discussions nationwide annually.

We're social. Connect with us!
Not yet a member of LWVP?
 
 


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The League of Women Voters of Piedmont is a tax-exempt organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Our federal tax ID is 94-6094831