WORKING FOR CHANGE
During the administration’s first 140 days, our vigilance has kept presidential action to a minimum. We stopped Trumpcare 1 and, although our removal from the Paris Climate accord is a black eye for America, our strong business community will not let us return to the days of severe air pollution. We need to continue to work for change.
SUMMER SOCIAL. We are uniting at the FREE RANGE BREWING Company on Wednesday, June 21 5-8 pm to renew our resolve to work for change. Other concerned groups are invited to attend.
CALL YOUR SENATORS ABOUT AHCA. Rumor has it that Mitch McConnell may rush Trumpcare through the Senate in the dark of night just before the August recess. Call Senators Tillis and Burr (contact info below) every day and tell them you do not like Trumpcare. Click here for more information about McConnell’s nefarious plans and here for detailed information about the National Threat to Women’s Health.
VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS. The Executive Committee has been busy further defining our vision and crafting a mission statement. After two weekend workshops, the group chose the following statements to guide us:
Vision:
Charlotte Women’s March will work to achieve parity
and opportunity for all.
Mission:
Charlotte Women’s March advocates for equality and equity
for all peoples, civic engagement, science and education,
and women’s health.
In the next several months each Interest Group will craft goals and objectives to accomplish our mission.
There was a general consensus that the best way to accomplish our mission is the work for CHANGE especially through civic engagement and the best way is to support candidates who will enact and preserve legislation that ensures parity and opportunity for all. MARCH ON!
I asked Gina Navarrete, one of our members who is a clinical neuropsychologist, to give us advice on how to cope with the Trump presidency. A summary of her article is below. To read the complete article click here.
Keep up the good work! March On!
Jan Anderson
Surviving the Trump Presidency
M. Gina Navarrete, Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist
The Do’s and Don’ts of building resilience after traumatic events
and learning to cope through meaningful action
What is RESILIENCE? Resilience is a person’s ability to adapt well and bounce back from traumatic or stressful events. Resilience is not a personal trait, it is a process that involves how you think, behave and act in the face of adversity; thus, it can be learned and implemented. The basic strategies are:
1. Identify your Support group and lean on them.
2. Find ways of relaxing and recharging your batteries.
3. Engage in positive activities.
4. Maintain good physical health. Eat well, get regular sleep and exercise.
5. Track your symptoms and talk with trusted loved ones or a therapist.
6. Get fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. Sunlight is a great mood regulator.
7. Find healthy distractions like a funny movie or an inspiring book.
8. Avoid seeing the Crises-de-jour as your own personal crisis.
9. Maintain your spirituality whatever being spiritual means to you.
10. Stay your course. Set goals and track progress.
11. Keep a healthy and hopeful outlook on life.
12. Seize the opportunity.
This is where the Charlotte Women’s March comes in. Make sure you stay connected to the movement or group you identify with and work towards common goals. Now is the time to BE
Be Vigilant – Join the Charlotte Women’s March.
Be Connected – Being part of the Charlotte Women’s March will help you feel supported and give you an equally important opportunity to offer support to others.
Be Focused – Find a purpose and work together toward common goals. Become an active member of one of the nine Interest Groups of the Charlotte Women’s March.
And remember . . . find ways to laugh. Because if we don’t laugh at this time, we would have to cry!! And some of what is going on today is funny . . . if it wasn’t so tragic.
Committee Reports or What We Did
The Legislation Group hosted a screening of the Zach Galifianakis documentary Democracy for Sale, which focused on North Carolina’s gerrymandering, voter suppression and money in politics. Next steps include polling the group to see what activities could be of interest going forward, as well as monitoring the North Carolina redistricting process in the wake of the Supreme Court rulings.
The Racial Justice interest group met May 25 with roughly 25 attendees. Frank Crawford spoke regarding Raise the Age legislation making its way through the state legislature. We are the only state left who still tries children ages 16 & 17 as adults. We also heard from Nikkea Wile and Susan McCarter with Race Matters for Juvenile Justice. We are forming a book club with Waking Up White by Debbie Irving as the first selection. Upcoming events include “field trips” to African American churches, NAACP meetings and the Museum of the New South. Touissant Romain, public defender in Charlotte and powerful public speaker, has agreed to speak with us. Dates to be announced.
Representing the LGBTQ Interest Group, Margot Parrott and Cathrine Verratti attended Dear Harvey readings; Chris Jones, Andrea Dulin, and Catherine Veratti attended the Happening luncheon; and Tammie Lesesne attended the I am Jazz book reading.
Mark it on your calendars! The next meeting for the Science and Environment Group will be on Thursday, July 13, 6:00 pm.
AHCA SENATE VOTE CALL YOUR SENATORS. Rumor has it that Mitch McConnell may rush Trumpcare through the Senate in the dark of night just before the August recess. Call Senators Tillis and Burr and tell them you do not like Trumpcare. And while you have Senator Burr on the phone, thank him for doing such a good job chairing the Intelligence Committee investigation on Russia. Click here for more information.
ASSAULT ON BIRTH CONTROL CALL Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney, 202/395-3080 HHS Secretary Tom Price, 202/205-5445 to object to the Interim Rule pushing further exemptions to the contraceptive mandate. The draft rule makes the exemption available to ALL employers, and creates an exemption for health insurance companies too. Click here for more information.
SUPPORT NET NEUTRALITY The Science and Environment Interest Group asks you to support Net Neutrality by commenting to the FCC and clicking “+Express” to state that they need to keep all ISPs on Title II for a free and open internet.
Numbers to Call
US Senate NC
Richard Burr 202/224-3154
Thom Tillis 202/224-6342
US House NC
Robert Pittenger 202/225-1976, 704/362-1060
Alma Adams 202/225-1510, 704/344-9950
Ted Budd 202/225-4531
US Senate SC
Lindsey Graham 202/224-5972, 804-250-1417
Tim Scott 202-224-6121, 864-233-5366
NC Senate
Leader Phil Berger 919/733-5708
Dan Bishop 919/733-5655
Jeff Tarte 919/715-3050
Joel Ford 919/733-5955
NC House
Speaker Tim Moore 919/733-3451
Mary Belk 919/733-5607
Chaz Beasley 919/733-5654
Andy Dulin 919/715-3009
Becky Carney 919/733-5827
John Autry 919/715-070
Upcoming Events
Monday, June 12
Communication between Immigrant Communities & Law Enforcement by People Power. Meeting between agencies/ambassadors for the immigrant communities with law enforcement representatives from Davidson, Cornelius, Mooresville, Huntersville. All welcome. • 6:30 – 8:00 pm • St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell, Davidson, 28036.
Thursday, June 15
Fake News: A Panel Discussion w/Local Media. Panelists are: Dr. Adolphus Belk, Professor of Political Science, Winthrop University; Sherry Chisenhall, Managing Editor, The Charlotte Observer; Dennis Milligan, News/Content Director, WBTV; Michael Harrison, Editor, Fort Mill Times. Register online at yclibrary.org or call 803/547-4114 • 5:30 – 730p • Fort Mill Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill, SC 29708 • For more information, click here
DiscussCLT: How a Broken System Led to two Charlottes. As the Keith Scott protests showed, rich and poor are growing farther apart in bustling Charlotte. Why? What does it mean? What do we do? Join us to discuss this and much more. Enjoy complimentary beer, wine and appetizers before the panel begins. Panelist: Ann Clark, LaWana Mayfield, Toussaint Romain, Adam Rhew RSVPs required. • 6:30 – 8:00 pm • Lenny Boy Brewing, 3000 S. Tryon St. • For more information, click here
Citizens & Govt: Working Together for a Quality of Life. Free. Charlotte City Council Member Patsy Kinsey discusses affordable housing and code enforcement, transportation safety and choices, as well as district updates. • 6:30 – 8:30 pm • Midwood International Cultural Center, 1817 Central Ave • For more information, click here
Friday, June 16
“Gendered” An Inclusive Art Show/Opening Reception by Young Affiliates of Mint. Gendered seeks to create an inclusive arts forum for gender and its common intersectionalities with race, class, sexuality, and identity. • 7:00-10:00 pm • Mint Museum • For more information, click here
Saturday, June 17
Conversation vs Confrontations by Black Political Caucus of CLT-Meck. How to ensure positive interactions between law enforcement and young Black Males in Charlotte. Topics include: Positive Activites, Conflict Resolution and Roque Element in Law Enforcement.• 12:00 – 2:00 pm • Trinity Episcopal School, 750 E. 9th St.• For more information, click here
Tuesday, June 20
ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Team Monthly Meeting • 6:00 – 7:30 pm • Park Rd Baptist Church
Wednesday, June 21
Charlotte Women’s March Summer Social • 5:30 – 8:30p • Free Range Brewing • For more information, click here
Saturday, June 24
March Against Domestic Violence by Latin American Coalition & Domestic Violence Advocacy Council. Free. Open to Public. Hear from survivors & professionals. On-site Spanish speaking interpreters • 11:00 am • 4938 Central Ave
Thursday, June 29 – Sunday, July 2
National NOW 2017 Convention in Orlando, Florida • For more information, click here
Thursday, August 10
A-List: EmpowerHER Luncheon by United Way of Central Carolinas • 11:00 am – 1:00 pm • Embassy Suites Uptown
Saturday, August 26
Women’s Equality Day • For more information, click here
Saturday, August 26
Overcoming Shame: How to Deal with Body Image by Women’s Advisory Board & UNC-CLT Women. • 9:00 – 11:30 am • UNCC • Cone Center Auditorium • For more information, click here
Saturday, August 26 – Sunday, August 27
Charlotte Pride Festival • Uptown
All of this information is posted on our Facebook page in greater detail.
Keep us posted on what you have done: send your notices and photos to
charlottewomensmarch@gmail.com
You can help rally the troops so we don’t ever forget:
this is NOT the new normal!