LWV members work to promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable, responsive and capable of making decisions. We’ve invited LWV Wisconsin Executive Director, Debra Cronmiller, to provide an update on the many issues that work encompasses. Ms. Cronmiller leads the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, so current court and legislative efforts on nonpartisan redistricting will be discussed. In addition, we’ll learn more about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact supported by the state and national LWV, and the growing regional interest in Final Five Voting. These initiatives welcome informed champions who are committed to making a difference in Wisconsin’s electoral system!

 

It is too late to register for lunch, but you are welcome to join us for the program. We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

Check Out "In the News."

 

Want to Join League? Need more information? 

If you want to know more about membership in the League or what we do in our community, visit our member hub page. Find all the choices to volunteer; you decide how much to participate. We are a congenial group of people that does great work.

For League, defending democracy and ending discrimination go hand in hand. Transgender Awareness Week (Nov 13-19) is an annual effort to help raise the visibility of transgender people and address concerns members of the community face. In response to 2023 as a record-breaking year for the introduction of legislation that affects trans and nonbinary people, the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area (LWVLA) will present a local panel to discuss issues affecting the human rights of transgender people.

Our Speakers:
Dr. Erin Gutowski, Gundersen Health System physician
Will Van Roosenbeek, UWL's LGBTQIA+ Services Director
Adam Whitney, UWL student

Related Resources:
https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/pride-month-resources
https://www.lwv.org/blog/status-lgbtqia-rights-us

 

Note: There will be no Book Club meeting in December.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library, becoming a fixture on the New York society scene and art and book world. But Belle has a secret that she must protect -- she is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Her complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American. The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths to which she must go to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in a racist world.

A democratic cornerstone of the United States is the ability to accommodate differing perspectives in order to come together and move forward as a nation. This cornerstone is challenged when Americans vilify other Americans from differing backgrounds and beliefs. Sadly, this too often leads to acts of violence. The US Department of Justice reported that hate crimes increased by nearly 38% from 2020 to 2021 with a total of 11,000 cases reported.
In this program, we will talk with two leaders of a growing movement to counter hatred in our society. Through dialogue, these two leaders will offer insight into the approaches they are using to bring people together in an effort to ease tensions and hatred, and to reduce violence. Audience members will also learn how to actively support these efforts in their home communities.