President's Message

League responds to national threat to freedom to vote

The League of Women Voters quickly issued a response last week to the Executive Order that attempts to restrict Americans' freedom to vote. Read the national response HERE.

"This executive order is an assault on our republic and a dangerous attempt to silence American voters . . . To be very clear -- the League of Women Voters is prepared to fight back and defend our democracy," said League CEO Celina Stewart.

A survey conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice and other public policy nonprofits last year found that more than 20 million Americans do not have proof of citizenship readily available.

In Person Lunch with League

San Jose

Housing Director

Erik Louis Soliván

Thursday, April 17, 2025

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sobrato Center for Nonprofits

1400 Parkmoor Ave., San Jose

Homelessness and affordable housing rank as the top two concerns for San Jose residents. The top City official working on these important issues -- Erik Louis Soliván, Housing Director, will be the speaker for our April Lunch with League program.

Erik was born and raised in public housing, the grandson of immigrants from Puerto Rico. He holds a B.A. in political science from Haverford College and a law degree from Rutgers. He started his 17-year career with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, followed by positions with the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the Denver Mayor's Office of Housing and the Tulsa Housing Authority. He was appointed the San Jose Housing Director in 2024.

Box lunches from Panera may be ordered in advance for $25 (select your sandwich or salad choice when you register), or you may attend for free with no lunch (or bring your own). In either case, bring your own beverage. Deadline for registering with a lunch order is 8 p.m. Monday, April 14.

Parking: In addition to parking in front, there is a spacious parking lot behind the Sobrato building that is accessed from Race Street.

REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND WITH OR WITHOUT LUNCH

Learn about urban forests on May 16

A county-wide League educational program will be held on Friday, May 16, to discuss why urban forests are important and valuable. It will include information on what cities and the county are doing to protect and expand the tree canopy as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increase livability in our neighborhoods. Watch for an eblast with more details and registration link.

If you would like to become involved in this short term project, please attend the next organizing meeting on Monday, April 7, 10 a.m. on Zoom. For link or other questions, contact co-chairs Gloria Chun Hoo or Virginia Holtz.

March Lunch with League

explored aspects of leadership

Close to 50 League members and guests attended the March Lunch with League program featuring League member Mary Gardner, co-author of Women's Ways of Leading Revisited, and San Jose Vice Mayor Pam Foley. During the hour-long presentation, the speakers shared their personal stories of leadership and Mary reviewed the Framework of Women's Leadership Development that she created with co-author Linda G. Lambert based on extensive research.

Mary Gardner, left, and San Jose Vice Mayor Pam Foley

Mary's presentation included interactive components that had attendees

discussing their own personal leadership experiences.

Budget Academy answers questions about state budget

LWV California is recommending the Budget Academy as a reliable source of information about how to understand and navigate the California state budget. The online resource includes a glossary of terms, fact sheets, timelines, reports and a video series about the budget process.

League participates in Women's Heritage Day

Superbly organized by Vickie Mueller Olvera, the League's presence at the Women's Heritage Day at History San Jose on March 23 proved to be an effective connection with dozens of people in the community who stopped to talk about voting and elections with our volunteers. A post it board captured reasons why people say they vote including:

• Many variations on "to be heard" and "to have a voice"
• "To vote and have the same rights as those who try to take it away"
• "To protect the vulnerable"
• "It's a privilege and my duty as a citizen"
• "To make a positive impact in my community"

In addition to our gratitude to Vickie for a job well done, a big thank you to volunteers Martha Beatty, Elizabeth Marquez Bernardino, Liz Bogatin-Starr, Mary Collins, Gloria Chun Hoo, Trudy LaFrance, Anita Romero and Rosaleen Zisch.

Federal Judiciary Study

The Federal Judiciary Study Committee held its consensus meeting on March 15. A small but engaged number of League members joined the committee to learn more about the 12 consensus statements LWVUS asked that we come to consensus on. After more than two hours of lively discussion, the meeting was concluded.

Hearty thanks to a strong and informed committee: Martha Beattie, chair, Connie Hunter, Michelle Fernandez, Julie Pollitt, Tom Pavel, advisor Sara Malaun, and Carol Watts for preparing slides, providing technical help and making her inimitable comments on our committee discussions. Meeting moderator, Rosaleen Zisch, guided participants smoothly through the meeting process, and note-taker, Elizabeth Marquez Bernardino. took stenographer-quality notes from which the committee was able to write up our report for LWVUS.

In keeping with League’s "Speaking with One Voice" policy, we will not hear the results of this nationwide consensus process and the resulting position on the Federal Judiciary System until June, after the LWVUS Board has approved it.

Add your name to demand equal rights

LWVUS is gathering signatures for a petition that calls upon the federal government to recognize the duly ratified Equal Rights Amendment. To add your name to this national petition, click HERE.