In This Issue
- Co-Presidents' Message
- May 28 Election Information
- Annual Meeting Information
- DEI Committee Chair's Message
- Remembering Rebecca Bergstresser
- Now Hiring
- Upcoming Events
| Co-Presidents' Message
Mark your calendars for May 18, the date of our highly significant 87th Annual Meeting.
We extend a warm invitation to all members, whether you choose to join us in person or virtually. This meeting is a crucial platform where we shape the future of the Dallas League by adopting the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, endorsing the Nominating Committee’s slate of board members, ratifying bylaws changes, adopting the program, and other League business. Your voice matters, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts on how we can improve the League.
This is the League's state and national convention year. LWV Dallas was well represented with 15 delegates to the Texas convention, which was held last month in Dallas. Jessica Rivera-Lucas and Denita Jones both presented workshops, and Cecilia McKay and Becky Brakke organized and oversaw the silent auction. Next up will be the national convention, scheduled for late June. Four delegates from LWV Dallas will attend this convention in Washington, D.C., and we will look to bring back good ideas for Dallas.
In June, after the Annual Meeting, newly elected Board members will receive an on-boarding introduction and orientation to the duties and responsibilities associated with teach position. The opportunity is also available to all board leaders who may enjoy a "refresher" review. Additionally, this summer we will release the Strategic Plan Request for Proposal (RFP) and to engage a facilitator for upcoming planning sessions.
The usually quiet summer will be busy with internal League training and planning, but we still will also be gearing up for many Voter Registration and Education events before the national election. Volunteers of all kinds are always wanted and multilingual volunteers are especially needed! Join us, please!
Remember, voting is both a privilege and a responsibility.
Your vote is your voice.
In League,
Libbie Lee and Sandy Thornton
Co-Presidents – LWVD | Prepare to be a Voter!
The May 4 election is coming up on Saturday! If you or your friends haven't voted already, now is the time. This municipal election includes races for city council, school district trustees, and Dallas College trustees. Voters in some cities will also vote on bond referendums, charter amendments, and other municipal races.
Prepare to be a voter!
| How to Vote by Mail for the May 28 Election
In Texas you must apply to vote by mail every year. Dallas County Elections Department can receive applications beginning on January 1. The deadline to apply for the May 28 election is May 17, but we advise that you send your application early to allow for potential delays by mail.
- 65 years or older
- Sick or disabled
- Out of the country during early voting and Election Day
- Expecting to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- In jail but otherwise eligible to vote
Want to track your Ballot by Mail? Click here to use the Texas Secretary of State's Ballot by Mail Tracker.
Want a video explanation of the Ballot by Mail process? Watch these LWVTX videos.
| Annual Meeting Information
The 87th League of Women Voters of Dallas Annual Meeting is coming up on Saturday, May 18th, and we want as many members as possible to attend! The hybrid meeting will be held at J. Erik Jonsson Dallas Central Library in the 1st floor Community Showcase Room and members will also be able to attend via Zoom. For in-person attendees, a boxed lunch will be provided at no cost, but a $10 donation would be appreciated. To register, click here!
The Annual Meeting is a yearly event where a quorum of 10% or more of our members vote on important League business such as:
- Adopting a local program for the next League year
- Electing officers, directors and members of the nominating committee
- Adopting a budget
- Voting on any other items that must be approved by the membership. These can include amendments to bylaws, changes to LWVD advocacy positions and other issues that the board would like the membership to vote on.
To view the submitted reports, proposed bylaws amendment, and proposed budget, please view the separate Annual Meeting Notice email.
| The Crucial Role of DEI on Texas College Campuses
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are vital components of fostering a welcoming and enriching environment on college campuses across Texas. These initiatives aim to create a space where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and supported in their academic and personal pursuits. However, recent closures of DEI departments pose a significant threat to the progress made in advancing these principles, leaving behind a void that undermines the educational experience for many.
Texas, with its rich tapestry of cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives, stands to benefit greatly from robust DEI programs within its institutions of higher education. These programs not only celebrate the diverse identities of students, faculty, and staff but also actively work to address systemic inequalities and promote social justice. They provide essential resources and support networks for marginalized communities, including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities.
By fostering an inclusive environment, DEI initiatives contribute to the academic success and holistic development of all students. They facilitate cross-cultural understanding, promote empathy, and prepare students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. Moreover, research has shown qthat diverse learning environments enhance critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
The closures of DEI departments on college campuses in Texas represent a setback in the pursuit of educational equity and social progress. These closures not only diminish the resources available to marginalized communities but also send a troubling message about the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Without dedicated DEI efforts, students may feel isolated, unsupported, and unable to fully engage in campus life, hindering their academic performance and overall well-being.
Furthermore, the absence of DEI initiatives perpetuates existing disparities and systemic injustices within higher education. It fails to address the root causes of inequality and limits opportunities for historically marginalized groups to access and excel in higher education. Ultimately, the closure of DEI departments undermines the mission of colleges and universities to serve as engines of social mobility and knowledge dissemination.
In conclusion, the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on college campuses in Texas cannot be overstated. These initiatives play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the campus community, fostering academic excellence, and advancing social justice. The closures of DEI departments represent a significant setback in the pursuit of these goals and must be met with renewed commitment and investment in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
- Denita Jones, LWVD Director and Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
| Remembering Rebecca Bergstresser
Rebecca Louise Baird Bergstresser, 83, died on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the Jack Byrne Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. Rebecca was born November 19, 1940, in Seoul, Korea, the daughter of Richard and Golden (Stockton) Baird. She graduated from Berkeley High School in 1958. She studied history at the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH, graduating with honors in 1962. She earned a master’s degree in teaching at Duke University in North Carolina in 1963 and a Ph.D. in History from Stanford University in California in 1973. Her academic research focused on the abolition of slavery in Brazil. In 1976, Rebecca and her family moved to Dallas, Texas. 1985 Rebecca served as President of the League of Women Voters of Dallas. Her work in Dallas also included teaching service at Southern Methodist University and leadership of SMU's Women's Center and its Community Engagement Programs. She served a term as a trustee of the Dallas Independent School District.
She is survived by her husband, now of Garland, TX; her daughter, Laura Bergstresser, and son-in-law, Rick Kendall of Vermont; her son, Daniel Bergstresser, and daughter-in-law, Kim Nicoll of Massachusetts; her grandchildren, Mae and Henry Bergstresser and Lilly and Will Kendall, her brother, John Baird of Centennial, Colorado, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Many Dallas and Texas Leagues of Women Voters members attended her memorial service at Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas on Saturday, April 20, 2024. We will miss Rebecca’s wit, enthusiasm, and dedication to our League.
- Prepared by Cecilia McKay
| Now Hiring Part-Time Office Administrator
LWVD is now hiring a part-time Office Administrator position. The expected hours are 15-20 hours per week, including weekdays and attendance of most board meetings on the morning of the first Saturday of the month. This position is primarily work-from-home, but office visits and in-person attendance at board meetings are occasionally required.
Duties include: Email newsletter creation, responding to phone calls and emails, usage of the ClubExpress platform to create event listings, and miscellaneous office management tasks.
Required skills include: Ability to learn how to use ClubExpress, English proficiency, ability to learn and disseminate information about voting, proficiency with Microsoft Office, and proficiency with computer file management and organization.
Compensation begins at $20/hr.
| Calendar
Click here to view our full calendar
Candidate Forum for Dallas County Sheriff Democratic Primary Run-Off - May 8 12:00PM - 1:00PM at North Dallas Chamber of Commerce Offices. Click here to register to attend in-person and click here to watch the Facebook Live.
Voter Registration at Pleasant Grove Cinco de Mayo - May 11 11:00AM - 4:00PM at River Ranch Texas Horse Park. Click here to volunteer.
Observer Corps
DISD Board of Trustees meet once a month on the fourth Thursday
Dallas City Council briefings are on the first and third Wednesday
Dallas City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday
Dallas County Commissioners Court meets on the first and third Tuesday
Want to learn more about Observer Corps, join the Observer Corps, or sign up to attend meetings? Click here. | Welcome to New Members
Ashley Cole
Jamie Collins
Christina Mewhinney
Ann Willet
| Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | |
League of Women Voters of Dallas
6060 N. Central Expwy, Ste #500
Dallas, Texas 75206
(214) 688-4125
info@lwvdallas.org
lwvdallas.org
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