"Sad Songs, They Say So Much..."  

  

 
As always, you are welcome to bring a friend, as well as non-perishable donations for the Circle of Concern. (Click HERE for additional information about November's program.) 

  

 Coffee and conversation at 6:30 pm
Program begins promptly at 7:00 pm
 
Ethical Society of St. Louis
9001 Clayton Road
(parking in rear)
 
 

WV Takes Position on November Ballot Measures 

  

Women's Voices members voted to approve the recommendations of the Advocacy Committee regarding three of the proposed Constitutional Amendments that will be on the November ballot.  Women's Voices opposes Amendments 3, 6, and 10.

 
Amendment 3 (Labor): Would implement performance evaluation for teachers tied to pay, raises, etc.
Click HERE for a summary and WV's reasons to oppose.

 
Amendment 6 (Elections): Would establish a six-day long early voting period.
Click HERE for a summary and WV's reasons to oppose. 
 

Amendment 10 (Government Finances): Would prohibit the governor from estimating available state revenues when making budget recommendations under certain legislative circumstances.
Click HERE for a summary and WV's reasons to oppose. 
 

  

Save the Date to Party with a Purpose this December! 

  

Beth Brockling and her helpers have thrown 95 birthday parties for homeless children in 11 St. Louis shelters... all in one year!  They are now averaging about 20 birthday parties a month...  Wow! 

 

This December Beth will tell us about her wonderful organization, Sweet Celebrations, how it started, and how it has grown.  Best of all, we will hear the kids' stories and see pictures of them having a great time... all kids who would not have had a party without Beth and her group.

 

Women's Voices will celebrate our annual holiday event this year at Sweetology... a fun place featuring creative sweet treats!  Join us for wine and soda, appetizers and sweets, followed by the Sweet Celebrations program.  (Let's see how many birthday parties Women's Voices members can help fund... your donation of any amount to the nonprofit Sweet Celebrations will be much appreciated!)
 

WV Annual Holiday Program at Sweetology

   

Thursday, December 11 at 6:00 pm
9214 Clayton Road (just west of Price Road)  

       

WV Advocacy Responds to Food & Water Watch 

  

Women's Voices recently signed onto a letter requesting support of federal action to address the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms.  The request was from "Food and Water Watch" and was approved by our Advocacy Committee.

 

 Livestock routinely receive low doses of antibiotics to prevent disease and compensate for unhygienic conditions, contributing to the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Two million people contract antibiotic-resistant infections annually, and at least 23,000 people die from them. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

 

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become common in the meat and poultry purchased by consumers. In 2011, antibiotic-resistant Salmonella in ground turkey caused illnesses that led to the third largest recall in USDA history.

 

FDA policies on antibiotic use in livestock production have been inconsistent; relying on these policies is insufficient compared to developing necessary, comprehensive restrictions of all non-therapeutic uses of antibiotics in livestock and poultry.  Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would address this by restricting the use of essential human antibiotics in food production. The letter urges legislators to take action to support federal legislation to protect our life-saving medicines.  

  

  

  

  

A portion of sales will be donated to Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice

 

Plowsharing Crafts
6271 Delmar (in the University City Loop)

 

Tell your friends and family; you'll find a wide selection of jewelry, accessories,

home d�cor, musical instruments, stationery, and holiday items (ornaments, Nativity sets).

 

 

Plowsharing Crafts is a member of the Fair Trade Federation. The crafts are handmade by artisans, 70% of whom are women from over 45 developing countries across the globe. Your purchase provides vital income for these people, income that is used to put food on the table, to provide healthcare, and to clothe and educate children.  

       

Lining Things Up for "Lock It for Love"  

  

Many thanks to the 14 women who have signed up to help distribute gun locks in the "Lock It For Love" program sponsored by Women's Voices.  Efforts are now underway to secure funding to purchase gun locks, enlist support from area police departments, contact other organizations to provide gun safety information to parents in their homes, and look for opportunities to distribute locks.

 

Members of the Campaign for Common-Sense Gun Solutions believe this project will be an effective way to focus on gun violence as a public health problem, and help change the conversation from "gun rights" to "gun responsibilities."  If you would like more information, email the group at: [email protected].   

  

  

How Many Peanut Butter Sandwiches Does It Take...? 

   

Member Connie Cominsky attended the Justice for All Rally on Saturday, October 11.  She arrived at Kiener Plaza at 9:30 am, unloaded her car and truck, set up a table, and started assembling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  She says she distributed HUNDREDS of sandwiches to marchers and members of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.  

       

  

 ... to member Ruth Ehresman for her letter to the editor published in the Post-Dispatch on October 2 about investing in healthcare for children. 
  
... to member Mary Clemons for her letter to the editor published in the Post-Dispatch on October 6 about Medicaid expansion.
 
... to member Teri Powers for her letter in support of her choice of candidate to the Post-Dispatch on October 11.

 
... to member Cynthia Holmes for her letter to the editor in the Post-Dispatch on October 17 with some tough questions for clergy. 
 
... to member Barb Finch for her commentary in the Occasional Planet on October 17 about clerical involvement in recent events. 
  

 

And CONGRATULATIONS to...  

 BRAVO to all who raised their voices this month!

  

  

    

At the October program, Dr. Nicastro gave us a first-hand account of what happened in the trenches and updated us on how the affected districts are now responding to the challenge of becoming accredited.  Click HERE to read more... 
      

  

Here's what you missed on the WV Facebook page* this last month: 

  

Conversations black moms have with their sons 
 
Editorial on need for MO Supreme Court to intervene in Ferguson 
 
Article describing possible results of justice department work in Ferguson 
 
Article on federal lawsuit to have insurance rate transparency 
  
Planned Parenthood will not immediately appeal the new waiting measure in court  
 
Article on limited options for people who fall in health insurance gap 
 
Chattanooga Free Press article on Franklin & Tresa McCallie 
 
New York Times editorial on voter ID laws 
 
Op-Ed on being oblivious to injustices 
 
Editorial calling for rate cap on payday loans 
 
Washington Post article on why we need to fix Ferguson 
 
Group Better Together calls for more oversight on municipal courts 
 
Article on the problems being faced in the Normandy school district 
   

  

  

  

 

You love what Women's Voices stands for, you love our focus on education and advocacy to make people's lives better, but you still haven't joined even though you think you should. Does this sound like you? Well, get rid of that nagging gut and join Women's Voices today!

 

  

    
 

We've made renewing simple: First, we send you an email reminder when it's time to renew (the month in which you joined Women's Voices). When you receive your reminder, you can renew your membership by clicking the PayPal link in the email reminder message.  Or, use one of the payment options at the right.