May is here -- time to get down to business at the Annual Meeting! Look in this newsletter for:
Read on to learn more! | |
Dear League Members,
As I approach the final weeks of my presidency, I want to take a moment to reflect and, most importantly, to say thank you.
Serving in this role has been hard work but it’s also been a tremendous joy. From teaching in the community to meeting with local stakeholders, participating in media interviews, and getting to know all the different corners of the League and our many partners, it’s been deeply rewarding. One of the highlights of this journey was representing our League at the United Nations in New York City—a once-in-a-lifetime experience I’ll never forget. And none of it would have been possible without the steady support of our board and off-board leaders. Your energy, insight, and commitment have been the backbone of everything we’ve accomplished together, and I’m so grateful. |  | | When I accepted the role of President-Elect, I didn’t know yet that I would spend my first term navigating pregnancy and new parenthood. Thank you to those of you who stepped up to run events and meetings while I was on leave. And thank you to my husband Nic, my mom, and my mother- and father-in-law (all League members!), who helped care for Ms. Helen while I worked. And to Ms. Helen herself: thank you for being mostly quiet in meetings and along for the ride. I hope one day you’ll look back at all the photos of me serving while pregnant and later with you on my hip, and know how much your presence grounded and inspired me. |  |
Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to share that two incredible women have volunteered to serve as co-presidents. This shared leadership model gives us a chance to continue building our leadership bench and to support one another in a busy election year.
I know everyone has a lot on their plates but I promise, there is time to serve. I’ve done this while working full time, raising a baby-turned-toddler, and traveling regularly for work. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that this work is not only doable. It’s worth it! The League needs your passion, skills, and presence now more than ever.
I’m proud of what we’ve done together. We registered thousands of voters. We brought civic education to classrooms across the region. Hundreds of thousands of people relied on our Voters Guide. We hosted smart, thoughtful public programs. We raised the funds needed to sustain our work. And we expanded our community through brunches, family events, and new partnerships.
Still, I won’t pretend everything is tied up in a bow. While the League is strong, we’re also facing serious threats. As the U.S. League has said: we are in a constitutional crisis. But we are not powerless. The national League is providing us with tools to turn our fears into action and we must rise to the moment.
Please stay tuned in the coming weeks as we join their call to fight back against the SAVE Act, defend our democracy, and Unite and Rise.
One of the best parts of serving as President? You’re not really done. I’ll continue to serve on the board as Past President and I’ll be right there with you, ready to keep working.
Thank you again for your time, your heart, and your belief in the power of the League.
In gratitude,
Jessica
| LWV Declares Constitutional Crisis | On April 17, Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, and Dianna Wynn, president of the League of Women Voters, released the following statement:
“It has now been 87 days since the start of the Trump administration. From the flagrant disregard for congressional authority and governmental checks and balances to defying Supreme Court orders to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back home, one thing is abundantly clear: our country is in a constitutional crisis.
"We the people must fight back. That is why the League of Women Voters is launching a powerful new initiative, Unite and Rise 8.5.
"Unite and Rise 8.5 will engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters between now and November 2026 to protect and preserve our democratic institutions.
"The foundational principles that have sustained our democracy — checks and balances, the rule of law, free and fair elections — are under direct and sustained threat. In this extraordinary moment, we cannot proceed with business as usual. All Americans — no matter who you voted for in 2024 — need to come together, stand united, and fight back to save our democracy. We cannot afford to fail the generations to come.”
About Unite and Rise 8.5: On May 1, the League will launch the Unite and Rise 8.5 initiative, which aims to mobilize 8.5 million voters using the power of voter engagement as a cornerstone of our democracy. Unite and Rise 8.5 will showcase the many ways voters can drive change, including through advocacy, mobilization, civic education, and engagement. The initiative is part of LWV’s Women Defend Democracy campaign, which is focused on centering people power and moving our country toward a stronger, multi-racial democracy.
| Calling All Members -- It's Time for the Annual Meeting!
It’s time to reconnect, network, and enjoy a Saturday afternoon with your LWVAA friends!
📅 When: Saturday, May 17, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
📍 Where: Alamo Baker Cafetorium, 3908 Avenue B, Austin, 78751
The Annual Meeting is our business meeting, but it’s about more than that: it's an occasion to reflect, celebrate, and chart our course for the year ahead. Join us to:
- Hear the President's annual report
- Review and adopt the 2025 - 2026 proposed budget
- Recognize our outgoing board members and welcome new leadership
- Get inspired for what's next!
Light refreshments will be served.
There are three ways to register:
Can't attend in person but still want to participate? Email Jessica Foreman to receive a Zoom link.
We can't wait to see you on May 17, whether in person or online.
| Rise for Freedom Training Series |
Beginning April 3 and continuing on Thursday evenings through June 5, the Rise for Freedom coalition will host a series of live, hybrid online training sessions designed for in-person groups nationwide. The goal of the training series is to bring people together, to grow and strengthen their local networks, and to get ready to mobilize to demand democracy in this new challenging environment. LWVUS is a partner in this series.
The training series is for people who love our country, who understand the threat of autocracy before us, and who want to do something about it. Whether you're a political moderate, a pro-democracy conservative, or politically progressive, this training is for you. The series will cover the following topics (all sessions are from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.):
- April 3: How did we get here? An introduction to organizing under creeping autocracy (includes a mini-training by LWVUS ahead of the April 5 day of action)
- April 10: Building to a critical mass locally (outreach)
- April 17: How to talk to people you might disagree with
- April 24: Harnessing our power to end political violence and repression
- May 1: Break
- May 8: De-escalation & strategic organizing skills
- May 15: Mutual aid & structures for stronger local organizing
- May 22: Advanced organizing skills -- choosing your tactics
- May 29: Digital hygiene for activists
- June 5: Media storytelling with a focus on broadcast & social media
Learn more and register at the link below.
| Read the LWVUS letter. encouraging Congress to stand up for the American people | Volunteers in Action: Capitol Corps During Texas' 89th Legislative Session
Every legislative session, the League of Women Voters Capitol Corps advocates for League priorities at the Texas Capitol, from registering positions on key bills to offering public testimony in committee hearings. As Texas' 89th Legislative Session passes its midpoint, the League’s organized advocacy ensures that citizens' concerns are heard inside the Capitol.
So far this session, Capitol Corps members have registered the League of Women Voters of Texas’s position on numerous bills, covering issues from voting rights and election protection to public education and gun safety. In several cases, members have delivered testimony on behalf of LWVTX, helping to inform legislative decisions and underscore the League’s commitment to good governance and civic engagement.
Capitol Corps volunteers often receive just 24 to 48 hours’ notice before they’re needed at the Capitol. While many of those called upon are Austin-based due to proximity, this session the League of Women Voters of Williamson County has proudly stepped in to help support these efforts at the Capitol. Our members have shown up when others from across this vast state could not, and we consider it a privilege to speak on behalf of those who are unable to make the journey.
Capitol Corps is a powerful reminder that everyday Texans can play a meaningful role in the legislative process. If you’re interested in joining the Capitol Corps or want to learn more about how to get involved, email Gina McCool, Capitol Corps Coordinator. | Voter Registration & Turnout | |
If you signed up for the First Vote! emails, be on the lookout for signups. We have secured May 13 and 14 for Navarro ECHS and May 20 for Weiss HS. We are also negotiating dates for a few more schools. For Navarro, we want to have at least one Spanish-speaking volunteer in each shift, as some of the students might be English learners. We will be going to the classrooms and sharing our latest First Vote! presentation. For Weiss, we will be only doing voter registration during their senior check-out day. That is a great opportunity to reach all seniors before they graduate.
Voter Registration
After a major election it always takes a little while before voter registration activities pick up. Besides tabling at Alamo Lamar every Friday evening, we are adding more events to our calendar. In April, we tabled at Earth Day, Egg-Dye-o-Rama, Green Career Fair, La Mujer, Kids Fest and KIPP Spring Fling! We have a few events lined up for May and June; check our event calendar for the latest voter registration volunteering opportunities. Recurring events are usually posted 1 month in advance. One-time events are usually posted 1-3 weeks in advance, depending on when we receive a request.
Making Things Happen Behind the Scenes:
We now have a volunteer, Katerina Harris, dedicated to managing tabling requests! Have an event that needs a voter registration table? Email tablingrequest@lwvaustin.org. Katerina and the LWV Voters Service team are there to help! This is just one example of how people can volunteer behind the scenes if their schedule does not allow for in-person volunteering. Find volunteer opportunities Here.
|  | Thank You for Raising Hell for Democracy!
Our main fundraising event for 2025, Raise Hell for Democracy, was held on April 2 at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar -- and what a night it was!
We were honored to celebrate the evening with a screening of Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins -- a reminder of what it means to speak truth to power with wit, guts, and grit. Molly’s fearless voice inspired us to keep raising hell where it counts: in defense of democracy, equity, and fair representation. Her legacy lit the fuse for a night full of energy, laughter, and action.
Whether you joined us in person, made a donation in lieu of attending, or supported us as a sponsor -- thank you. Together, we raised over $27,000 for our cause, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Special thanks to our generous sponsors:
- Voter Education Advocate Level -- Anonymous, NerdWallet, Space ATX Studio, Mary Jane Burson and Mike Polston, and Charlotte Slack
- Fair Maps Supporter Level -- Alamo Drafthouse and Tim League, Austin Firefighters Association, Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard, Ann Kasper, and Deborah Voss
- In-Kind Sponsor -- One Tap Photo
A huge shout-out to our amazing Development Committee -- Pam Bixby, Jaci Collins, Leah Farnsworth, Joyce Jackson, Ann Kasper, Laura Ts’ao, and Debbi Voss -- whose brilliant ideas and behind-the-scenes work brought this event to life. We’re also incredibly thankful to our day-of volunteers for their help with setup and cleanup, and to our fearless President Jessica Foreman, whose leadership was instrumental in making this night such a success.
If you attended this year’s event, please help us by filling out this short survey by May 31 to help our Development Committee produce an even better event next year! We’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can continue to build something bold, inclusive, and unapologetically democratic -- just like Molly would’ve wanted.
Thanks again for being part of this unforgettable evening. Check out some of the great photos from the evening in our photo album!
In the words of Molly herself: “Raise more hell.”
With appreciation,
Lisa Chang
Development Director
|  | Friends & Family Spring Festival
It was a fantastic afternoon of community and connection at our Friends & Family Spring Festival on Saturday, April 26. This free outdoor event at the Austin Public Library Twin Oaks Branch brought together hundreds of people of all ages. They gathered for a program on the women’s suffrage movement by Girls Performance & Advocacy and then enjoyed the live music of singer/songwriter Lauren Diamond. City Council Member Zo Qadri spoke about building a strong community, State Representative Gina Hinojosa helped kids create a community mural, and County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado joined the fun. Attendees participated in family yoga sessions, received personalized poems from Typewriter Rodeo, took part in a “Democracy Rocks” scavenger hunt, got their faces painted, played giant lawn games, enjoyed frozen desserts from Kona Ice, and heard the Picture This student contest winners share their thoughts on “strong community,”
One attendee emailed LWVAA after the festival to say, “It was a beautiful event and inspiring to see so much love and acceptance all around. Not to mention the amazing youth who shined their hearts in performance, singing, and MCing. Beautiful community indeed. You are doing amazing work and thank you for letting us be a small part of it!!”
We truly appreciate everyone who helped make this event meaningful and successful, and we are grateful that we were able to connect with so many people in the Austin community. More photos will be placed in our photo album.
| Communications & Technology
| Powerful Messages from the League
Laura Ts'ao leads our social media team. Check out the powerful graphics, videos, and messages shared on our social media. You can help support democracy by commenting on and sharing each post. Just a click will help, but a comment means a lot. I love the powerful message:
Power in numbers. Power in action. Power in you.
Join the League because democracy doesn't defend itself!
Whether you've been watching the news with horror or hiding from the news like me, now is the time to step up. Watch for LWVUS's new initiative, Unite and Rise 8.5, in response to our Constitutional crisis. Take action with the League!
Influence Your Local Government
| Lost & Found
Are you missing a cute coat? Is this your wrap? A light gray Patagonia jacket (size M) was found inside the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar after our Raise Hell for Democracy fundraiser. A green wool short jacket (size S) was found after our New Year Brunch. If one of these belongs to you, please notify Debbi Voss.
| Key Election Dates
- Saturday, May 3 - Joint General & Special Elections Day
LWVAA Events
- Ongoing: Voter registration events - In addition to our regular Friday night gig at the Alamo South Lamar, we'll be registering voters at the LEAD Summit, Burnet Middle School Spring Fest, and at our very own Annual Meeting! Check our event calendar to sign up for a shift.
- Saturday, June 21 - League 101 - New to the League? League-curious? Long-time League member ready to reengage? This is the place for you! Learn a bit about League history, about how LWVAA is organized, and about opportunities to get involved.
Community Events
- Thursday, May 1 - Know Your Rights - Protesting in Texas by ACLU Texas
- Friday, May 2 - AFS Doc Days Presents An American Pastoral, a French filmmaker's look at the school board wars happening in American public schools
- Thursday, May 8 - Rise for Freedom Training Series: De-Escalation & Strategic Organizing
- Friday, May 9 - Know Your Rights - Interacting with Law Enforcement & Immigration by ACLU Texas
- Through Sunday, May 11 - What the Constitution Means to Me, The Topfer at ZACH Theatre
- Monday, May 12 - Constitutional Meaning in the Shadow of the Articles of Confederation, presented by the Brennan Center for Justice and the National Constitution Center
- Thursday, May 15 - Rise for Freedom Training Series: Mutual Aid & Structures for Stronger Local Organizing
- Thursday, May 22 - Know Your Rights - Interacting with Law Enforcement & Immigration by ACLU Texas
- Thursday, May 22 - Rise for Freedom Training Series: Advanced Organizing Skills: Choosing your Tactics
- Thursday, May 29 - Rise for Freedom Training Series: Digital Hygiene for Activists
- Thursday, June 5 - Rise for Freedom Training Series: Media Storytelling with a Focus on Broadcast & Social Media
| Read LWVUS Blogs & Press Releases
LWV US & Texas Urgent Actions!
| Members: Don't Forget to Order Your LWVAA Name Badge!
Let them know you're ready to empower voters and defend democracy by wearing your very own LWVAA name badge! Great for VDRs, Observer Corps, and First Vote! team members. Badges are $20, which includes tax and shipping. To order, log in to the LWVAA website and click the "Name Badges & Pins" link in the Members Only dropdown menu.
Visit the LWVAA Shop for Your Voter Registration Apparel!
Promote the League with t-shirt, mug, or tote bag! League stickers are great to hand out! All these things and more are available from the LWVAA store on Threadless.
| Welcome to Our Newest Members!
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Martica Andrews
David Boikess
Robin Campbell
Sharon Cichelli
Luanne Cullen
Diane Dianora
Ellen Dorsey |
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John Fardal
Laura Fritsch
KJ Harris
Camille Hartman
Elizabeth Hoesley
Jennifer Holme
Kathy King
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Julie Lass
Macie Matamoros
Laura Stone
Dale Truitt
Phyllis Warner |
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| The League shall not support or oppose any political party or candidates. It may take action on governmental measures and policies in the public interest after significant study and consensus is reached. | |