Volume 4 Number 2
April 2019
“There’s nothing complicated about equality.”
Alice Paul, Ph.D. (1885-1977)
Written by author of the Equal Rights Amendment and relentless suffragist Alice Paul in 1923, these five simple words are the essence of today’s Charlotte Women’s March. They remind us that this concept should have been embraced 96 years ago. Instead these five words have either been ignored or met with fear, myriad forms of resistance, and discrimination since America began.
Believe it or not, one of the two issues front and center in North Carolina is gerrymandering, which goes back 207 years to 1812. The second is the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. That’s right, you read correctly, though introduced in 1923, it still needs one more state to ratify it – and NC could cast the winning vote. Both issues relate to racial and gender rights and are the reasons why CWM is raising awareness about them.
Raising awareness of inequality and taking action through collaboration to achieve equality are the cornerstones of today’s Charlotte Women’s March. Our Co-Presidents’ Letter below lays out our position.
Following their letter are articles designed to inform and provide ways for you to take action now.
EVENTS: Plan to attend the two YWCA Stand Against Racism events beginning with a forum featuring CWM Co-President Gina Navarrete on Apr. 25 and a CWM booth on Apr. 26; Reel Out Charlotte’s free opening reception on Apr. 28; a transformational CWM/Habitat for Humanity/Crisis Assistance Spring Workshop on May 9; and our first-ever Habitat Women Build Day on May 18.
ISSUES: Get up to date on ERA ratification and on-going gerrymandering efforts in NC. Our final articles relate to the needs of our growing organization:
NEEDS: CWM volunteer communication opportunities and our CWM Brand Perception Survey.
As Buddhist nun Pema Chodron says, “The future is the result of what we do now.” There’s lots of good to be done, as you’ll see below
Co-Presidents’ Message
All Women, Awareness and Action
We at Charlotte Women’s March have found ourselves both pleased and a little overwhelmed by our new role. CWM was – as were many other women-focused grassroots organizations – born two years ago in response to the 2016 election. We marched to protest gender inequalities that had either never surfaced, or if they had, never as painfully as before. That march, by thousands of women and men, has turned into a movement to make today’s world more equitable. (To read more, click HERE )
Save The Date
WHO: Charlotte Women’s March, Habitat for Humanity Charlotte, and Crisis Assistance Ministry
WHAT: CWM’s Spring Meeting: A Poverty Simulation
WHEN: 6-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, MAY 9, 2019. Check in from 6-6:15, poverty simulation begins at 6:30 sharp
WHERE: Habitat Restore, 1133 N. Wendover Road 28211
WHY & HOW: Over 100,000 of our neighbors live in poverty. One in five children goes to bed hungry every night. Conducted by Crisis Assistance Ministry, this workshop is designed to illuminate the complex issues surrounding poverty. If you’ve never participated in a poverty simulation, this must-do exercise will change you forever.
ATTENDANCE: Limited to first 80 registrants, and 20 volunteers needed to facilitate. Reservations required. For more information or to sign up go HERE
YWCA Stand Against Racism Events
The YWCA’s two-day Stand Against Racism events begin with an evening of conversation on April 25 from 6-8 p.m. on how immigration has affected Charlotte and include our own Dr. Gina Navarrette and other leading immigration experts. The next day, join us at the CWM table during the YW’s diversity-enriching event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (corner of Tryon and Trade Streets). For details click HERE
11th Annual
Reel Out Charlotte Film Festival
Charlotte’s only LGBTQ film festival is April 28 – May 5, 2019. At the festival’s free opening reception, 5 p.m., April 28that Camp North End (1824 Statesville Avenue, 28206), we’ll have a table and hear remarks by CWM leaders. Film festival tickets are 20% off for CWM members. For details click HERE
End Gerrymandering Now:
Its Legacy Lives On
It all started in 1812 when Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerryredrew election district boundaries for political purposes. The shape of his redistricting resembled the shape of a salamander and thus political cartoonists and others coined the phrase “gerrymandering.” Its legacy lives on in North Carolina and throughout the US, impeding progress on nearly all women-centered issues. Fast-forward to 2013, when both racial and political gerrymandering claims were made in NC courts – and now are on the docket of the Supreme Court. Recent bills have been proposed in the NC legislature to finally end gerrymandering. For more details click HERE
CWM Brand Perception Survey Results Are In
The CWM Brand Perception survey is complete. According to CommTeam member and survey administrator Becca Bernstein “We had a great response! Both emails had a strong open rate and a total of 204 people responded. The feedback was thorough and often personal. Next step – survey results will be presented at the next CWM Board meeting for discussion. We appreciate all who participated in the survey; details to come!
ERA Now? Just One More State
With ratification short by just one state, a women-led coalition in North Carolina is working to make it happen here. Alice Paul, who drafted the amendment in 1923, must be smiling from her grave! Details HERE
Volunteers Needed: Share Your Skills & Talents
At two years old, CWM has more than 2,000 members and is growing! Our Communications Team (CommTeam) is seeking help to spotlight the important work CWM has taken on. Co-chaired by Beth Davis and Mary Staton, CommTeam is a supportive group of volunteers challenged to share the message through email, social media, website, calendaring, events, writing, graphics and photography. Please respond HERE .We promise you’ll hear back promptly from Beth or Mary!
Mary T. Staton, editor, gratefully acknowledges the strategic assistance of
Beth Davis and graphic talents of Rachel Hewitt.