Branch Happenings: Burlington, Greater Philadelphia, and Maine

WILPF Philly members Marlena Santoyo and Ana Santoyo (second and third from right) participated in a Poor People’s Hearing on Democracy in Norristown, Pennsylvania on November 7, 2020.

December 2020

Burlington Hosts “Power, Privilege & the Vote” Virtual Suffrage Events

By Marguerite Adelman
Burlington Branch

WILPF Burlington, with a mini-grant from WILPF US, held a number of virtual suffrage programs with Dr. Sally Roesch Wagner for Vermont high schools and universities in late October.

Many of the programs were recorded and the University of Vermont Program – POWER, PRIVILEGE & THE VOTE: Focus on Women, Culture and Herstories of Suffrage – is now available for viewing at this link: http://go.uvm.edu/i1enx

In this comprehensive presentation, Dr. Wagner explores important influences in the U.S. Women’s Suffrage movement that are often forgotten. Who were the women presidential candidates in the 1800s? What were the challenges they faced? How did the indigenous people influence ideas of women’s suffrage and rights? Who was not included in the U.S. suffrage movement and why? How can the herstories of women’s suffrage provide a lens through which to explore the ongoing creation of democracy in our country?

Feel free to show this program at your own virtual WILPF meeting in the coming months!

WILPF Philly Branch Intersects with Put People First PA

By Ana Santoyo
Member, WILPF Greater Philadelphia

Thanks to WILPF national, WILPF Philly members Marlena Santoyo and I connected with the Philadelphia and Montgomery County Healthcare Rights Committee Put People First PA movement, a moral revival of MLK’s Poor People’s Campaign.
 
As part of that effort, on November 7, 2020, I and others took part in a public hearing on “What Is Democracy for the Poor and Dispossessed”? As a social worker and Mexican American woman I voiced my testimony in Spanish and English.

The following week on November 10th, I participated in a march at the capitol in Harrisburg demanding driver's licenses for all in Pennsylvania. (For more information, read Pennsylvania House Democrats Propose Drivers License for Undocumented Immigrants).

Divided We Fall, United We Stand! ¡La Gente Unida Jamás Será Vencida!

Maine WILPFers Planning for Entry-Into-Force on January 22, 2021

By Christine DeTroy and Martha Spiess
Maine WILPF

Coordinating with other groups in Maine, Maine WILPFers look forward to celebrating the TPNW #NuclearBan’s EntryIntoForce on January 22, 2021.

Plans are underway to caravan our #nuclearban Banner from Southern Maine to Downeast Maine – until the light gives out or unless there is a blizzard.

https://www.facebook.com/WILPFmaine/ Please follow and like us!

Photo: Christine DeTroy pauses to review the new banner’s text.