News / Articles

Read this Opinion article by Elizabeth Bennion and Geri Pawelski, published 2/12/22 in the South Bend Tribune:
https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/opinion/2022/02/12/lack-transparency-has-defined-redistricting-st-joseph-county/6664760001/

"Members of the St. Joseph County Council and Board of Commissioners failed their constituents when they refused to promptly disclose requested electronic communications pertaining to the required 10-year redistricting of local political boundaries."

Thanks to League members and friends who showed up at the March 25 Election Board meeting and submitted to the Board urging the inclusion of Sunday voting hours, consistent with past practice, for the 2022 Primary Election in St. Joseph County. Click to read the League's letter to the Election Board and the article in the South Bend Tribune.

Non-Partisan Civic Group Urges All Commission and Council Members to Attend Public Meeting

In the wake of strong public opposition to the undemocratic local redistricting process and proposed district maps for the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners (Commissioners), and in advance of a public meeting on redistricting called by members of the St. Joseph County Council (Council), the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area calls on all Commissioners and Council members to attend Monday’s public meeting and work together to compare the maps submitted by the public with maps proposed by Commission-selected and Council-selected, taxpayer-funded law firms. The group urges elected officials to lead the public in a discussion of the pros and cons of each map.

Click to read more

Four action items are encouraged:

(1) Learn more about the causes of homelessness and the solutions or best practices that have worked elsewhere and that we might adapt for our local efforts;

(2) Support wholeheartedly local agencies and groups who provide invaluable direct services and expertise;

(3) Track and participate in the budget process that is now underway at all levels of government;

(4) Contact local representatives and urge their support for cooperative endeavors to help our unsheltered neighbors.

The American people are tired of a government that serves only the wealthy and corporate interests. We demand a democracy that works for all of us.

The recording of March's Lunch with the League, celebrating Women's History Month with "Women Who Tell Our Stories," is now available to watch on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/rX-B0wfmVf8

The recording of Lunch with the League: Past, Present, and Future of the South Bend Kroc Center is now available on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/ebkrk7jArgU

STATEMENT OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF THE SOUTH BEND AREA

Consistent with our previous statement, the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area is not taking a position for or against the resolution (R-1-C-2023) to consolidate the Board of Voter Registration and designate the Circuit Court Clerk as the voter registration officer of St. Joseph County.

Please click to read the full statement.

https://youtu.be/Dore_z3H5zY

Our featured speaker is be Dr. Darryl Heller, Director of the IU South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center and Assistant Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies at IUSB.
Dr. Heller will speak about Reparations and Restorative Justice: A Path Towards Racial Healing. The general point of Dr. Heller’s talk is that reparations, as part of the process for healing racial injustice, is most meaningful when regarded within a restorative justice framework.

https://youtu.be/a5x1esb8TAo

Our featured speaker is Nimbilasha Cushing, Vice President, South Bend Reparation Working Group (SBRWG). Monica Tetzlaff and GlendaRae Hernandez are also featured.

This month they spoke with us about Reparations and why they believe Reparations are called for. One definition of Reparations: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury. This group is guided by their mission statement which is: to advocate for reparations at the local, state, and federal level as a way of acknowledging and repairing the harm caused by historic and current injustices experienced by African American descendants of slavery and its aftermath.

Use this link to join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88012795176?pwd=Q0dDeC9tdmQwQ3B3NmtlNG9yWWNFUT09

Our featured speaker will be Nimbilasha Cushing, Vice President, South Bend Reparation Working Group (SBRWG).

This month she will speak with us about Reparations and why she believes they are called for. One definition of Reparations: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury. This group is guided by their mission statement which is: to advocate for reparations at the local, state, and federal level as a way of acknowledging and repairing the harm caused by historic and current injustices experienced by African American descendants of slavery and its aftermath

https://youtu.be/AeJ5H6qvey0

Our featured speaker is Elizabeth A. Bennion, Chancellor’s Professor of Political Science and American Democracy Project (ADP) Director at Indiana University South Bend. Bennion is joined by several students who are serving the ADP as Democracy Fellows. They share important information about the upcoming midterm election – information we need to get cast informed votes and help others do so, too!

Join us on Zoom! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81741713064?pwd=MEUrNkFGblhhUDFCbHNVcTlqc2U3QT09

Friday, October 14 at 12pm

Our featured speaker will be Elizabeth A. Bennion, Chancellor’s Professor of Political Science and American Democracy Project (ADP) Director at Indiana University South Bend. Bennion will be joined by several students who are serving the ADP as Democracy Fellows. They will share important information about the upcoming midterm election – information we need to get cast informed votes and help others do so, too!

Don’t miss this non-partisan educational opportunity to learn about local resources to become an informed voter.

https://youtu.be/P69TCqLX0mE

Conductor and Music Director Alastair Willis will provide insights into the South Bend Symphony Orchestra’s 90th anniversary season, with a look back at the SBSO’s glorious history in South Bend.

Join us on Zoom! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87142340697?pwd=c2oweXhkSkhRajc3Ny90akQveisydz09

Friday, September 9, at 12pm.

Conductor and Music Director Alastair Willis will provide insights into the South Bend Symphony Orchestra’s 90th anniversary season, with a look back at the SBSO’s glorious history in South Bend.

"Preparing for 21st Century Climate Change in Indiana: An Overview of the IN Climate Change Impacts Assessment"

https://youtu.be/kcXfL6fYwXw

This talk will give an overview of the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment, highlighting some of the most important impacts of climate change on our region, including extreme heat and humidity, river flooding, and urban stormwater impacts.

Our speakers are Alexandro Bazán, Sustainability Project Manager for City of South Bend, and Dr. Alan F. Hamlet, Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame.

We are sad to report that long-time League member Margaret Kenney passed away on June 26, 2022.

Margaret was a charter member of our modern organization, which began in May of 1971. Her signature, as well as those of 40 other women, is on a document dated May 17 that was created to celebrate the launch of the local League which had been dormant since the Spring of 1966.

Margaret remained a member of the local League until her death.

You can read Margaret's obituary here: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/25249742/margaret-dennison-kenney

Recordings from May and June's Lunch with the League can be found on YouTube at the links below.

May: The Robinson Community Learning Center
https://youtu.be/gxJl5BFULfc

June: La Casa de Amistad, Serving Our Community Through Programs and Advocacy
https://youtu.be/nqYRxthB9TI

Watch here: https://youtu.be/MA5oBQ96NSM

The Unity Gardens is a local non-profit dedicated to connecting our community to fresh produce, nature and each other, through 35 open gardens, free classes, and other programs. In this talk, Unity Gardens Executive Director Sara Stewart will talk about the many benefits of the Unity Garden model – benefits that extend far beyond provided no-cost fresh veggies to local consumers.

The recording of the Meet the Candidates Forum on March 31 can be found here: https://fb.watch/chqO_pgVzZ/

This forum featured mini-debates and statements by candidates appearing on the 2022 Democratic primary ballots in St. Joseph County, Indiana.

Join us in the auditorium of the St. Joe County Public Library in downtown South Bend, or virtually, at 6pm on Thursday, March 31.

You'll have a chance to meet the St. Joseph County Democrats who are running in Indiana's May 3rd primary election. The candidates will give statements and participate in mini-debates.

Attend in person: https://sjcpl.libnet.info/event/6388890
Watch virtually: https://fb.me/e/4oQ02TqjC

Join us on Zoom! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81983418435?pwd=V2RyYnpHSWp0NlhnL0QxcHB1UHRLdz09

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022 AT 12 PM

The Unity Gardens is a local non-profit dedicated to connecting our community to fresh produce, nature and each other, through 35 open gardens, free classes, and other programs. In this talk, Unity Gardens Executive Director Sara Stewart will talk about the many benefits of the Unity Garden model – benefits that extend far beyond provided no-cost fresh veggies to local consumers.

Go to this link to view: https://youtu.be/NB9t5MyiiFs

Join us on Zoom! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82133279298?pwd=Nnc2K3ZmWWJ4dHArZ0RXZVp0MGdjUT09

Friday, March 11, 12pm

Students from Indiana University South Bend will discuss what they have learned about Indiana’s 2022 primary and general election, including key registration and voting deadlines, important rules and regulations, who’s on the 2022 primary ballot, which races are contested, and how to learn more about the candidates on your ballot before you cast your vote. Join the American Democracy Project’s @IUSBVotes Team to learn everything you need to know as a voter and partner in making democracy work!

Go to this link to view: https://youtu.be/sCX-hC53Yac

Go to this link to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k88cVqwr-2Y

Go to this link to view: https://youtu.be/KK5tGB6xCps

Aaron Nichols, Executive Director of the South Bend Civic Theatre, discusses the August Wilson Project, an 11-year project begun in 2019 by the South Bend Civic Theatre. The CIVIC is producing all ten August Wilson plays, each speaking to consecutive decades of the African American experience in the 20th Century. This ambitious initiative includes extensive integration into the South Bend schools and partnerships with many community groups. Nichols also discusses the CIVIC's commitment to public health during the pandemic, including a vaccine mandate for all our indoor productions until COVID-19 and its variants have been defeated.

You can see watch even more past Lunches with the League on our YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPVKZqvXVZoZvdDTZfqTCPA

Join us on Zoom on Friday, Oct 8 at 12:00 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87945000442?pwd=UUhjQ0F4ZVUydkdwb0pFcFBZWDBOQT09

This Friday's Lunch with the League will feature Patricia Hackett, President of the law firm Hackett & Associates, P.C. She will speak with us regarding current 21st Century efforts through the law to silence women and, thus, destroy our Constitutional Republic and the more perfect union to which we aspire.

The recording is now available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mxoXwaeZxI8

The Indiana Legislative public hearings scheduled for August 6, 7, and 11 are an opportunity to speak out about criteria to be applied to drawing NEW LEGISLATIVE DISTRACT MAPS that will be with us for the next 10 years.

Please identify one of the hearings you can attend. Click the article to see all times and locations.

Then join us on August 4th to prepare for these hearings. The All IN for Democracy coalition will hold a webinar on Wednesday, August 4th at 8 p.m. EDT to discuss what we can expect at these hearings and the kinds of testimony that will be helpful.

REGISTER HERE; https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_YFq3PptuRWakzeZr9Q_z_w

Too often in years past, the new maps have been assembled almost entirely behind closed doors, giving the public little opportunity to weigh in. These public meetings are an important step toward transparency. But they will make a difference only if many of us, average citizens, pay attention and participate.

Join us on Zoom on April 9 at 12pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88952890807?pwd=MlIvcnRLSUY5Qk5GT3NSSktQYktFdz09

Senator Niezgodski will talk about bills he is involved with that impact the St. Joseph Community.

Join us on Zoom, March 12 at 12 noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82130775896?pwd=d1JaUXo1NjRPRDNYdU5Ic0NlbVRVdz09

Our guest speaker will be Dr. Todd Cummings, superintendent of South Bend Community School Corp.

This remote conversation will offer current information about the proposed plans to close Hay and Tarkington Elementary Schools at the end of this academic year and recommendations to create an Innovation Network Zone for two other elementary schools, Muessel Elementary and Marquette Montessori Academy.

Join us on Zoom ( https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87052823187?pwd=V0RsOG5OSHl4NUMzOE4zWW9TK2k0UT09 ). Our guest speaker will be Dr. Mark Fox, deputy health officer for St. Joseph County.

Dr. Fox will give an update on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic in St. Joseph County, with attention to disease prevalence, data on testing, and vaccination efforts. The impact of emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2 and mitigation efforts will also be discussed.

Barbara Tully, president of Indiana Vote by Mail, will be our guest for the next Lunch With the League on Friday, Jan. 8 from noon to 1 pm via Zoom. To join, copy and paste this link into your browser: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83101823328?pwd=bk1WTlJXVHN2VEtBbDJYQWJLa0dCdz09

Barbara will present "Voting in Indiana: Turning All Hoosiers Into Voters." Come learn about how the voting process works in Indiana and ways that Indiana could work to make voting more accessible. This program will highlight best practices for voters and for election administrators to consider as they engage in this most basic right in a democracy - the right to vote. This nonpartisan presentation will leave you informed, engaged and excited about voting!

All IN 4 Democracy, our coalition for redistricting reform in Indiana, is calling for applications to the Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC). The ICRC will demonstrate how the redistricting process in Indiana should be conducted. It will show that a politically balanced group of citizens working transparently and in cooperation with citizens can devise districts that will serve the public interest, not the interests of politicians.
The ICRC will hold a series of virtual public meetings in January and February of 2021 to take public testimony on what redistricting criteria should guide the map-drawing process....They will also sponsor a map-drawing competition and serve as the judges for that competition.... Reports and maps will be submitted to the IN General Assembly (IGA) and we will lobby for adoption of the maps drawn through a transparent process by a politically balanced group of citizens. More...