News & Events


May 22, 2019

Who does your
body belong to?

As usual, the events of the past week offer plenty of serious subjects for comment. I could choose an upbeat tone and express cautious optimism about the promise of Chicago’s new mayor, Lori Lightfoot. Or, I could head in the opposite direction and talk about Donald Trump’s threatened war with Iran or the growing potential for his impeachment.

But instead I’ve decided to write about something that’s a bigger and a much, much older story than any of those hot topics — a woman’s autonomy over her own body. The battle for that control has come into the spotlight in recent days with the passage of outrageously restrictive abortion laws by several conservative-controlled state legislatures.

When you think about the words, “your autonomy over your own body” they really do sound nonsensical…like “your autonomy over your elbow” or “your ankle” — I mean, seriously, your body is your body. Controlling what happens within its “boundaries” is strictly your business. No one else should be able to claim that power.

For some perspective I should note that, with a few historical exceptions, it wasn’t until recent times that women could expect any equitable treatment concerning their bodies. (In some cultures women were little more than chattel or slaves.)

Even just a few generations ago virtually every American woman’s body was controlled in most ways by a patriarchal society.The life options a woman’s body might have…the level of education it could receive…the smattering of professions it might pursue…who it might marry…the subservient role it must play as a wife and mother…all those facets of that body’s life were usually controlled by someone else.

Sadly, those grim scenarios still describe the lives of millions of women in many parts of the world, but at this moment in the United States the control of a woman’s body is focused on one thing, their reproductive rights.

There’s no question that one of the most impactful events in the 20th century was the growing acceptance of equal rights for women. It inspired millions of women worldwide to more clearly recognize their potential and pursue it. At the same time such a shift in societal norms caused tradition-bound men and women to react strongly against such change. I believe the growth of energy we’ve seen within fundamentalist religions — Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu — is, to a great extent, a reaction to the growth of women’s rights.

Today in the United States there are still numbers of men and women with strong feelings against these inevitably changing times. They are voters with a strong incentive to show up at the polls. Appealing to their emotions is a very attractive campaigning tool for politicians, whatever their real agenda might be.

The extreme anti-choice stance of Republican legislators in states like Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri and among certain Republican members of the U.S. Congress is disturbing. A woman’s demand for the right to control her body’s reproductive system is portrayed by abortion rights advocates as a heartless, quasi-criminal act against the fetus in that woman’s womb -- whatever the trimester. Some of the most extreme laws would include a single-cell zygote for legal protection!

I know I’m not the only one who finds it Ironic that these anti-choice people and the Republican politicians courting them are so concerned about the sanctity of life in its earliest stages — yet they have no qualms about ending the lives of felons, the bombing of populations or the support of policies that result in the starvation and death of innocent civilians. It seems the moral outrage of such Republicans is quite selective. — If you’re going to talk the talk, you should walk the talk. Protest against capital punishment. Raise your kids to be conscientious objectors. Donate big to NGO’s that feed victims of conflict.

The recognition of the complete personhood of women, not just in America but around the world, has created ripples that have become waves and in some cases tsunamis.

Conservative forces may tell themselves that their actions to turn back the clock and remove hard-won rights for women are a result of them riding one of those waves. But the reality is their wave is about to be wiped out by a tsunami of inevitable positive change even larger than the one that hit our nation in last November’s election. And when it arrives it will bring a better future for every body in America.

Nels Howard
NTD Member Since 1973
Phone Bank For Reproductive Health Act

It’s time to take action and let Illinois legislators know that we need the Reproductive Health Act (HB2495) to move out of committee and pass the House!

We cannot allow decisions regarding women’s reproductive rights to be in the hands of male legislators and a right-leaning Supreme Court. Illinois must take control NOW and protect women’s rights.

Niles Township Dems need our help! Join us as we phone bank in the Niles Township Dems/Friends for Kalish office starting this week!

When:
Thursday, May 23, 5pm-8pm
Sunday, May 26th, 1pm-4pm
Monday, May 27th, 5pm-8pm
Tuesday, May 28th, 5pm-8pm
Wednesday, May 29th, 5pm-8pm
Thursday, May 30th, 5pm-8pm

Where : 4504 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60076

What you need to bring : a tablet or a laptop, and a cell phone. For your convenience, we recommend bringing headphones and a charger.


Questions?  Email Eden at [email protected] or call 847-673-7779
New Trier Democrats' Events
Visit New Trier Democrats this Summer at Area Sidewalk Sales

Visit us at the upcoming Glencoe, Winnetka and Wilmette Sidewalk Sales. We would love to see you – whether to chat politics, sign up to become a member, check out local volunteering opportunities or fill out a political survey.

Glencoe Sidewalk Sale: June 29, 2019 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Winnetka Sidewalk Sale: July 19, 2019 from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Wilmette Summerfest & Sidewalk Sale: July 20, 2019 from 9:00am to 3:00pm
July 22, 2019: New Trier Democrats’ Annual Meet & Greet

When : Monday, July 22, 2019 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where : Avli Estiatorio Restaurant, 566 Chestnut, Winnetka
What : It’s our Annual Meet & Greet at Avli! We will have delicious Greek nibbles, refreshing drinks and lots of liberal conversation with fellow Democrats, office holders and candidates. This is a great opportunity to see your local representatives in person, as well as candidates running for office. Don’t miss this event!
Other Events of Interest
Inclusion in our "Other Events of Interest" List – whether it’s a fundraising event for a specific candidate or an event concerning a particular issue – does not mean that the New Trier Democrats have endorsed that candidate or adopted that position on an issue. 
Tuesday, May 28, 2019: Reps. Schakowsky & Schneider Host Hiring Event

When : Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 10:00am to 1:00pm.  Doors open early at 9:30 for veterans
Where : Oakton Community College, Tenhoeve Room, 1600 E. Golf Rd., Des Plaines
What : U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) host a hiring event featuring more than seventy local employers with current openings at all experience levels, who will be on-site to meet with job seekers. The event will feature workshops for attendees. Partners include the Illinois Department of Employment Security, National Able Network and Oakton Community College. For more information, including a list of participating employers, and to RSVP,  register online.
Cam Davis
Monday & Tuesday, June 3 & 4, 2019: Cam Davis’ Brewer & Sewer Tour in Evanston

When : Monday, June 3 & Tuesday June 4, 2019 – 6:00pm to 7:30pm each night
Where : June 3 – Sketchbook Brewing Company, 821 Chicago Ave, Evanston ; June 4 – Temperance Beer Co, 2000 Dempster St, Evanston
What : Using the power of beer, MWRD Commissioner Cameron Davis is circumnavigating Cook County to promote local microbreweries and to educate people about water. A ticket gets you two beers & hors d’oeuvres, and you’ll hear about water and beer while helping Cam win re-election as he works for our water (and the things we make out of it). The Brewer & Sewer Tour will launch with events June 3 and 4 in Evanston. More dates and places to follow.  Click here  to find out more about the tour and get your tickets to drink beer, talk politics, and save democracy.
Thursday, June 6, 2018: Evanston Fundraiser For Marie Newman

When : Thursday, June 6, 2019 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where : The Home of Candance Chow, Evanston – address provided upon RSVP
What : A fundraiser event for Marie Newman, candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 3rd District. Marie is challenging Daniel Lipinski in the 2020 Democratic primary. For more information or to RSVP,  register online .
Thursday, June 6, 2019: ICHV Race Against Gun Violence

When : Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 6:30pm
Where:  Arvey Field, Grant Park, Chicago
What : Illinois Council against Handgun Violence (ICHV) holds its 5th annual Strides for Peace featuring an 8K run, 5K run, 2-mile walk and Tots for Peace Sprint. Proceeds support ICHV’s mission to stop gun violence. For additional information or to RSVP,  register online or email [email protected]
Friday, June 7, 2019: End-of-Session Town Hall With Rep. Robyn Gabel

When : Friday, June 7, 2019 from 10:00am to 11:30am
Where : Glenview Park Center, Lakeview Room, 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview
What : State Rep. Robyn Gabel holds a town hall meeting to tell what has been accomplished in Springfield this session and all the work yet to be done.
Thursday, June 13, 2019: Jewish Council On Urban Affairs’ Acts Of Change Dinner

When : Thursday, June 13 at 5:45pm
Where : Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie St., Chicago
What : The JCUA holds its 2019 Annual Acts of Change Dinner honoring Rabbi Capers Funnye. For additional information or to purchase tickets,  register online  or contact Jill Katz, Director of Development, at 312-663-0960 or email [email protected].
Tuesday, June 18, 2019: Indivisible Evanston’s June Meeting

When : Tuesday, June 19, 2019 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where : Lorraine G. Morton Civic Center, Parasol Room, 4th Floor, 2100 Ridge Ave, Evanston
What : Indivisible Evanston hosts it’s June Monthly Meeting. The topic for this meeting is, “Fighting for election integrity – before it’s too late.” Presenters include: Jay Young, Executive Director of Common Cause Illinois, who will discuss “H.R.1 – A Roadmap for Fairer Elections”; and Georgia Logothetis, Assistant Director of Common Cause Illinois, who will discuss “Money in Elections – Leveling the Playing Field.”
Wednesday, June 19, 2019: Sister District Project’s Winnetka Wine, Dessert & Skype Fundraiser With Alex Askew

When : Wednesday, June 19, 2019 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Where: Home of Lisa Flanagan (Address provided after RSVP)
What : Join Sister District Project for an opportunity to learn about the crucial importance of state legislatures, and to meet their candidate,  Alex Askew ! Alex, candidate for the 85th District of the Virginia House of Delegates (Virginia Beach), will join them by Skype at 7:45 pm. Democrats are just one seat down in both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate. Sister District is helping candidates like Alex win so they can flip both houses of the legislature blue. Virginia is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country. The legislature that is elected in 2019 will redraw district maps for the next decade. For more information or to RSVP,  register online .
Need help contacting your
representatives in government?

Visit our website for a complete list of everyone who represents the residents of New Trier Township - from Federal to Village level - and links to contact them.
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will make a difference. Come join us!

When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process by: participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, and playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain  free admission  to select forums and events throughout the year.    

Come be a part of New Trier Township's grassroots political community.    
New Trier Democrats memberships are on a calendar year basis. We encourage our members to renew their dues annually every January.
Paid for by the NTDO-FED and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available on the Board’s official website (www.elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.