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A VOICE FOR CITIZENS, A FORCE FOR CHANGE
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This Wednesday, March 8
Is International Women's Day

The League of Women Voters of the United States shares the IWD's commitment to promoting gender equality and global democracy. In solidarity with the national event, LWVSB encourages our members to wear red on March 8 and to support women-owned businesses.

In Santa Barbara, vendors supporting women's work locally and globally, along with non-profits that work on women's issues, will participate in a pop-up Pure Purpose Market from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center in downtown Santa Barbara.

There will also be a rally at De La Guerra Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a self-care fair from 1-3 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. If you are on Facebook, look for posts about the local events.

LWVUS President Chris Carson also said, "March is Women's History Month and the League will be highlighting and celebrating important stories of women throughout the month."
To respond to these urgent Action Alerts and get information about other Alerts,
sign up today!

The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose candidates or political parties. The League encourages informed and active participation in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

As a service to our members who want information about the SB Progressive Coalition, Indivisible, and other local meetings and events, we are directing you to the Fund for Santa Barbara's Community Calendar.
Community Forum: Keeping People With Mental Illness Out of Jail
Wednesday, March 15--noon to 2 pm
Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Library

The number of people with mental illness in U.S. jails has reached crisis levels. The League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Public Library are co-hosting a forum to discuss this crisis.

Panelists are: Suzanne Grimmesey of the Behavioral Wellness Department; Lt. Rob Plastino of the Sheriff's Office; Kelly Scott of the District Attorney's Office; Tracy Macuga and Deedra Edgar of the Public Defender's Office; Lynne Gibbs of NAMI; AnnMarie Cameron of the Mental Wellness Center; Suzanne Riordan of Families ACT; Maureen Earls of CLUE; and Debbie McCoy, who will share her personal experience.

In counties across the nation, jails now have more people with mental illnesses than in their psychiatric hospitals. Almost three-quarters of these adults have drug and alcohol use problems. Community members with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal justice system with tragic outcomes for themselves and their families, missed opportunities for connections to treatment, inefficient use of funding, and a failure to improve public safety.

These obstacles to change in Santa Barbara County have prompted the County Supervisors to commit to positive plans.  

Participants are welcome to bring their lunch. The entrance to the nearest parking garage is on Anacapa, adjacent to the Library. Handicapped access is at the Anapamu entrance (park in the Granada Garage across from the Library on Anapamu St.).

For Sponsorship information, contact Bonnie Lassen.
We were happy to see so many people at our February Community Forum on civil discourse. I hope to see many of you at our March 15 forum, which will again be co-sponsored by the Santa Barbara Public Library. 

Sincerely,

Lindsey Baker, Co-President
League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara 


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