April 2018 Newsletter



Monday, April 2nd, 2018


 

April 2018 Newsletter

In This Issue

Did you Celebrate Women in Public Office Day?

Our 2018 initiative was all about honoring the selfless service of elected women. NFWL members went above and beyond to recognize March 19 as Celebrating Women in Public Office Day, with 27 municipalities and 15 states passing a proclamation thanks to the hard work of over 50 elected women. See who celebrated with us below.

Passed:

  • Bardstown, KY- Councilwoman Kecia Copeland
  • Cedar Park, TX- Councilwoman Heather Jefts
  • Charlottesville, VA- Mayor Nikuyah Walker
  • Chippewa County, WI- County Supervisor Kari Ives
  • Clinton, NJ- Mayor Janice Kovach
  • East Greenwich, RI- Councilwoman Sue Cienki
  • Federal Way, WA- Deputy Mayor Susan Honda
  • Holyoke, MA- Councilwoman Brenna Murphy McGee
  • Key West, FL- Representative Holly Raschein
  • Lancaster County, NE- Commissioner Deb Schorr
  • Manatee County, FL- Commissioner Priscilla Trace
  • Meridian, ID- Mayor Tammy de Weerd
  • Memphis, TN- Councilwoman Patrice Robinson
  • Miami Gardens, FL- Councilwoman Lisa Davis
  • Mobile, AL- Councilwomen Gina Gregory and Bess Rich
  • Republic County, KS- County Clerk Kathleen Marsicek
  • Riverside, NJ- Mayor Lorraine Hatcher
  • Perris, CA- Councilwoman Tonya Burke
  • Portsmouth, VA- Vice Mayor Elizabeth Psimas
  • Shreveport, LA- Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch
  • Somerset County, NJ- Freeholder Patricia Walsh
  • Springfield, MA- Councilor Kateri Walsh
  • State of CA- Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin
  • State of DE- Representatives Stephanie Bolden, Ruth Briggs-King, and Helene Keeley
  • State of GA- Representatives Sharon Beasley-Teague, Doreen Carter, Karla Drenner and Sandra Scott
  • State of HI- Senator Donna Mercado Kim
  • State of KS- Senator Pat Pettey and Representatives Gail Finney and Eileen Horn
  • State of KY- Representative Attica Scott
  • State of MA- Massachusetts Women’s Caucus
  • State of MI- Senators Judy Emmons and Tonya Schuitmaker
  • State of MN- Representative Roz Peterson
  • State of NE- Senator Carol Blood
  • State of PA- Representative Joanna McClinton
  • State of NY- Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis
  • State of SC- Senator Katrina Shealy
  • State of WI- Representatives Kathleen Bernier and Lisa Subeck
  • State of VT- Representatives Sue Buckholz and Linda Joy Sullivan
  • Suffolk County, NY- Legislator Kara Hahn
  • Trenton, NJ- Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson
  • Wayne County, MI- Commissioner Martha G. Scott
  • Winter Springs, FL- Commissioner Jean Hovey

In Progress:

  • Ocean County, NJ- Freeholder Ginny Haines
  • State of CO- Representative Lois Landgraf
  • State of NJ- Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso
  • State of WA- Senator Kristine Reeves

What is a Smart City?

NFWL’s Grab ‘n Go website page is the place to go for cutting-edge resources and top-notch event toolkits.

Have you checked out our materials from Digi.City? Smart Cities are a hot topic of the moment and we have the resources you need to be a thought leader on the issue. Follow us all week long on social media as we explore smart cities.

Learn More

Nominate an Elected Woman for a Trip

NFWL partnered with the American Council for Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) in 2017 to nominate elected women under the age of 40 for ACYPL’s international exchange trips. NFWL is continuing to nominate women in 2018 and we are looking for your help.
Nominate a Woman

Partner Post

Help Great Childhoods Happen with Prevent Child Abuse America

At Prevent Child Abuse America, we believe that every child deserves to grow up feeling safe and loved. Every year during April we recognize Child Abuse Prevention month and highlight the ways that each of us can help prevent child abuse and ensure great childhoods happen in our communities. But we can’t do it alone.  We all have a role to play in the healthy development of our nation’s children.

Child abuse and neglect affects millions of children every year and costs taxpayers billions of dollars.  Research shows that investing in healthy child development reduces the likelihood of costly conditions including chronic health problems, lost productivity, mental illness and substance abuse, among others.

As legislators, you have a powerful voice. You can play a role in child abuse prevention by supporting programs and policies that protect and help children and families. For example, legislators can voice support for funding streams that go towards proven programs, such as Healthy Families America – an evidenced-based, voluntary home visiting program shown to reduce child maltreatment, improve child health and school readiness, and strengthen family self-sufficiency.

We must do more to protect our children and prevent child abuse and neglect from happening in the first place. Doing so will help strengthen America families, improve our communities, and build the next generation. With your help, we can make a difference.

To learn more about Prevent Child Abuse America and the policies and programs we support, visit preventchildabuse.org.

Take Action with the Red Sand Project

Raise awareness for Human Trafficking and Child Abuse this April by participating in the Red Sand Project. This is a community art project where red sand is placed in cracks to represent those who fall through the cracks or are often overlooked. Organize an event in your community and tag us (@electedwomen) on social media so we can share!

“Human trafficking is a major policy focus of NFWL,” shared 2018 NFWL Chair Montana State Representative Kimberly Dudik. “I have found the Red Sand Project to be a great way to raise awareness for human trafficking and I hope you will join me this April in hosting your own event.”

Take Action Now

Keeping Up with NFWL

 

NFWL Featured on Comcast Newsmakers

Comcast Newsmakers is the longest-running news and public affairs platform of any cable operator in the country. Centrally focused on issue-based conversations, Comcast Newsmakers welcomes regional and national trailblazers to discuss ideas, assess community challenges and progress, and inspire meaningful action. NFWL Executive Director Jody Thomas appeared on the show to discuss elected women and the importance of civil discourse.

Watch Video

NFWL Attends PLEN Congress

NFWL Executive Director Jody Thomas was asked by the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) to facilitate a panel on Local and Federal Policy during their annual PLEN Congress at the George Washington University.
View More Photos

NFWL at Women of Courage Awards

The State Department cordially invited NFWL Executive Director Jody Thomas to attend their annual International Women of Courage Awards on March 23, 2018. First Lady Melania Trump presented several women with awards recognizing their bravery in standing up for women. NFWL loves celebrating women of all backgrounds and was proud to be part of this ceremony.
See More Photos

NFWL Hosts Happy Hour

On March 27, our Board Member, NEI, graciously hosted NFWL for a Happy Hour at their DC office. Local private sector partners were invited to the event, where Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso spoke about her experience as a member of NFWL.
Get Involved with NFWL

 


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