League of Woman Voters of Northampton Area

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Minutes: Annual Meeting June 2, 2020

Minutes: Annual Meeting June 2, 2020

League of Women Voters of the Northampton Area

Annual Meeting, Respectfully submitted by Margie Riddle, Secretary

June 2, 2020

Call to Order:   The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mary Lou Bouley through Zoom connection because of the restrictions due to the Covid-19 virus pandemic of 2020.  Present were twenty-one members of 127 to date.  The  board meeting that had been scheduled for March 29 had been cancelled for the same reason because most gatherings were cancelled by March 20, 2020.

Program reports 2019–2020

            Health Care – Osa Flory reported on various activities during the year to promote health coverage for all in the U.S. through panel discussions, showing films and contacting legislators.   

            Education – Margie Riddle reported a year-long effort of outreach to area educators in districts represented by members of our local LWV.  Specific information about the 100th anniversary of the amendment granting women’s suffrage was shared with thirty-five educators in grades kindergarten through university and college.  Educators were encouraged to include related history in their curricula with particular concentration on the contributions of African American Suffragists who may not be as well known.  A Book Group that included both League members and visitors met six times with the same focus.  A book list of children’s books on the topic was developed and shared with teachers and librarians.

            Meeting Basic Human Needs – Cynthia DiGeronimo reported that a team of twelve LWV members prepared and served dinner at the Cot Shelter in Northampton from November-February.  After that time the shelter was moved to Northampton High School and meals were prepared by Smith College staff and served by shelter staff.  

            Voter Service – Osa Flory reported that LWV members co-sponsored three candidates’ nights with representatives of the Daily Hampshire Gazette and also participated and registered new voters at the annual July 4th new citizen Naturalization Ceremony at the Hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton.  

            Membership – Brigid Glackin reported on a number of activities designed to offer value and relevance to members and to attract new members.  Activities included the Book Group, gatherings to write postcards to legislators, and a reception open to all on February 14, 2020, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters.

            Natural resources – Legislation – Nancy Polan reported on both of these topics.  She has followed and researched a number of legislative issues related to environmental concerns and prepared materials for outreach to legislators through postcards and emails sent by members and interested citizens.

            Treasurer’s Report and 2020-2021 Budget – Mary Lou Bouley presented the Treasurer’s Report which was accepted with a unanimous vote moved by Bob Riddle and seconded by Sharon Moulton.  Funds on hand in checking and CD totaled $17,855 April 30 with outstanding bills totaling  $2,284 leaving available funds at this time of  approximately $15,571.  Lou will send out dues request by email and mail for the upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021).  The budget details are below. 

            Report of the Nominating Committee – Lou Bouley presented the following report of the nominating committee.  The proposed officers and directors were approved by a unanimous vote.

Officers:

            President                                               Vacant 

            Vice President                                      Bob Riddle (2019-2021)

            Secretary                                               Margie Riddle (2019-2021)

            Treasurer                                              Mary Lou Bouley (2019-2021)

            Assistant Treasurer                           Ingrid Flory (2020-2022)

Directors Continuing (2019-2021)

  1. Osa Flory
  2. Nancy Polan
  3. Cynthia Sigda DiGeronimo
  4. Randi Klein                                                           

Directors (2020 – 2022)

  1. Connie Burak
  2. Sharon Farmer
  3. Brigid Glackin
  4. Zaida Govan
  5. Gillian Hinkson

Nominating Committee (2020-2021) 

  1. Nancy Brady
  2. Janice Moulton
  3. Donna Zuckerman 

Proposed Local Program – Mary Lou Bouley presented the following Proposed Local Program, which was unanimously approved.  

            Legislation –  Our advocacy will focus on two issues:   1.Voter service. Passing legislation that expands voting options to safeguard the fall elections, at the state and national levels.    2. Rebuilding a post-COVID-19 economy that greatly expands economic and racial equality, enables a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050, and builds communities more resilient to the climate crisis. (Chairperson: Nancy Polan)

            Voter Service –  Creating voting practices that will allow everyone to participate in the fall elections during the pandemic, while protecting the health and safety of the voters and the poll workers, presents unprecedented challenges.  Our role in the league is ever more critical, as we learn to work in isolation, increase use of social media, fight misinformation, work with town clerks and state officials to secure our polling sites, provide for the safety of voters and poll workers, protect the USPS and their ability to handle huge volumes of mail-in ballots, and inform the public about all of the changes. Across the country the League is fighting voter suppression (and winning lawsuits against it), and is fighting for legislation to provide equal access to the ballot for all Americans.

            Meeting Basic Human Needs- While there are many unknowns, the importance of advocating for the needs of the homeless is unchanged.  Taking into consideration the health and safety of all, and depending on operational need, members will advocate for the needs of the homeless and provide a team of members once each month (November-April) to provide the evening meal for clients at the emergency shelter for the homeless (Chairperson: Cynthia Sigda DiGeronimo)

            Membership – The suffragist history book club after 6 meetings at Lilly Library, with the leadership of Margie Riddle went into hiatus in March, but will meet again in the fall, virtually or live.  Collaborations with Historic Northampton, Berkshire Museums and Forbes Library will continued to develop and co-sponsor joint programming.  These will include speaker presentations, panels, and a film series with talk backs, most probably virtually.  The goal will be to provide value to the membership, with opportunities to explore the suffragist history and its relevance to the continuing struggle to “finish the fight” to provide access to the vote for all.  (Chairperson: Brigid Glackin)

            Education and 100th Anniversary Celebration of Women’s Suffrage in the U.S. – Our local League will reach out to educators to encourage them and their students to join us in researching and highlighting the special contributions of African American Suffragists to the effort that lasted for eighty years and finally culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. We will continue to monitor local preK-College public education delivery during the pandemic to ensure equity and access for all students in our area.  (Chairperson: Margie Riddle)

            Health Care – We will continue to monitor the progress of the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act and national health care legislation.  The committee will continue to support efforts to obtain single-payer universal health care as endorsed by the National LWV. (Chairperson: Osa Flory)

Springfield Unit

            Member Growth – Focus on building the Springfield Unit membership, intentionally recruiting younger women new to civic/voter engagement in the community (especially new Americans) in the colleges and in the high schools. (Members of the Springfield Unit)

            Voter Service in Springfield – We will continue to work with other groups to increase voter participation in the upcoming elections.  (Members of the Springfield Unit)

            Police Accountability Committee – We will continue its work by releasing the results of our series of community deliberative discussion forums and offering continuing opportunities for public education on civilian police oversight in Springfield. (Members of the Springfield Unit)

            Observer Corp – We will continue to develop our Observer Corps to help residents understand and participate in the work of Springfield’s boards and commissions, as well as City Council and School Committee. (Members of the Springfield Unit)

Book Sale – Margie Riddle reported that, because of the Covid-19 Pandemic the annual Book Sale, which has been held by our Northampton Area LWV for 70 years, had to be cancelled for the traditional September date.  She noted that this event is our only fund-raiser of the year, but it is also a beloved community event that is well attended and offers quality reading materials to community members and educators at modest prices while also bringing attention to our League and supporting our environmental recycling goal.  About half of our members participate in the book sale in some way from collecting, sorting and storing books to selling them at the sale, and promoting and organizing the sale.  Therefore, it is also an event that brings our League membership together for a shared purpose.  

Directions to the Board – It was suggested that our League donate as usual $250 to the LWVMA as has been done in the past.  It was unanimously agreed to honor Sojourner Truth in this way for this 100th anniversary year since she was an early suffragist and a resident of Florence in Northampton.  

The very significant contributions of Jean Cherdack to our League was also noted.  Jean has joined the Franklin County LWV, since that is her residence.  She will be greatly missed, and we know she will remain active in her new LWV home. We have many fond memories of our LWV adventurers with Jean. 

Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 by Mary Lou Bouley.

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Margaret Riddle

                                                            Secretary 

EXPENSESBUDGETACTUALBUDGETACTUALBUDGET  
 2018-20192018-20192019-2020To Apr.302020-2021  
 A. General Administration        
 1. President        
 2. Board Tools $150.00$162.72$150.00$56.00$56.00  
 3. Administrative Committees        
 a. Finance        
 b. Membership $130.00$24.29$130.00 $100.00  
 c. Unit Organizations        
 d. Public relations        
 e. Budget and nominating        
 4.Operating costs        
 a. Equipment (Web site) $250.00$479.40$250.00 $100.00  
 b. General supplies        
 c. Telephone        
 d. Bank charges        
 e. Book sale $1,100.00$1,038.89$1,100.00$988.89$50.00  
 f. Annual meeting $1,500.00$1,713.67$1,500.00$271.19$200.00  
        
 B. Delegates, Travel Affiliation        
 1. State Council/Convention $250.00$950.00$250.00 $250.00  
 2. National Convention $1,500.00$162.63$1,500.00$162.63$500.00  
 3. Workshops and Reg. mtgs.        
 4. Area (Regional Councils) $100.00$124.00$100.00$124.00$50.00  
        
 C. Programs and activities        
 1. Publications        
 a. National and State        
 b. Local        
 c. Bulletin $320.00 $320.00 $320.00  
 2. Program committees        
 a. National        
 b. State $200.00$534.26$200.00$534.26$100.00  
 c. Local $950.00$511.89$950.00$11.69$250.00  
 3. Community service        
 a. Meetings        
 b. Voter service $300.00$666.57$300.00$666.57$150.00  
 c. Action  $155.50 $97.42$100.00  
 4. Support for National $3,000.00$3,376.00$3,000.00$2,532.50$3,416.00  
 5. Support for State $2,200.00$2,317.25$2,200.00$1,737.96$2,380.00  
        
     $5,000.000 
INCOMEBUDGETACTUALBUDGETACTUAL BUDGET 
 2018-20192018-20192019-2020To Apr.152020-2021 
A. Dues$3,000.00$3,553.00$3,000.00$3,283.04$3,200.000 
       
B. Contributions      
1. Menbers$100.00$195.00$100.00$250.00$500.000 
2. Non-members $75.00 $25.00$500.000 
       
C. Other sources      
1. Book sale$7,500.00$6,906.75$6,625.00$7,081.70  
2. Bulletin      
3. Interest      
4. Annual meeting$900.00$900.00$900.00   
Scharfmann Fund$250.00$490.00$500.00$300.00$500.000 
LWVMA Phonathon$200.00$305.45$300.00$32.50$300.000 
Total income$11,270.00$12,425.20$11,950.0010.947.24$5,000.000 

Contact MA legislators: Pass HD5075

Pass An Act ensuring safe and participatory 2020 state elections in response to COVID-19

Write to thank your representative and senator for co-sponsoring HD5075 and urge them to work for swift passage of HD5075.  Write as a member of the League of Women Voters, which worked as part of a voting rights coalition to draft this bill. Legislators need to hear a roar of support for this vital bill, which must be passed NOW.  Implementation of these changes will take months and need to be ready for the Sept. 1st primary.

The following are co-sponsors of HD5075:

Lindsay Sabadosa Lindsay.Sabadosa@mahouse.gov

Mindy Domb Mindy.Domb@mahouse.gov

Natalie Blais Natalie.Blais@mahouse.gov

Aaron Vega Aaron.Vega@mahouse.gov

Dan Carey Daniel.Carey@mahouse.gov

Senator Jo Comerford Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov

Senator Adam Hinds Adam.Hinds@masenate.gov

Senator Eric Lesser Eric.Lesser@masenate.gov

A press release from the voting coalition, which includes LWVMA, urges legislators to vote for the following conditions within HD5075:

Vastly expanded vote by mail:

Ballots will be mailed to all Massachusetts voters before the Nov. election without an application required. All others may vote by absentee ballot out of concern for the coronavirus. (MA is one of only 15 states without no-excuse absentee voting). Statewide online portal for voters to apply for and track the progress of absentee ballots. Election officials will scan absentee and early voting ballots in the clerk’s offices when they are received – but results may not be calculated or announced until the polls close. General election ballots postmarked on or before November 3 will be counted, as long as they are received by November 13.

Longer voter registration times:

The deadline to register to vote or update voter registration is changed to 10 days before the election. (The deadline is currently 20 days).

Expanded early voting:

Two weeks of early voting before the September primary, and three weeks of early voting before the November election.

Safe voting sites to protect the health of voters and poll workers:

Regulations from the Secretary of State will safeguard the public health at early voting sites and polling places to protect voters and poll workers.

Children’s Book List on the Struggle for Women’s Suffrage in the United States

This list has been prepared by members of the League of Women Voters of the Northampton Area after reviewing many books in local libraries.  With thanks to the collaboration of the librarians at Forbes Library in Northampton, Lilly Library in Florence, and Meekins Library in Williamsburg.  We have chosen twenty books that we believe will have strong appeal to elementary school children and their teachers.  You will find many others in your local libraries, especially in the biography section.

General Interest including for read-aloud

Ballots for Belva:  The True Story of a Woman’s Race for the Presidency, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, 2008, Forbes, Grades 2-5, Well written appealing picture book about Belva Lockwood who became a lawyer, worked for women’s suffrage, was nominated for president of the U.S. in 1872; story of history and perseverance

Bold and Brave:  Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote, Kirsten Gillebrand, Maira Kalman, illustrator, 2018,Forbes, Grades 1-5

Elizabeth Leads the Way:  Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote, Tanya Lee Stone, 2008, Lilly and Forbes, Grades 1-5 Picture book but good for all ages – accurate, well written, appealing illustrations.

I Could Do That!  Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote, Linda Arms White, 2005, Forbes, Grades K-5, Very engaging picture book – good read aloud any age.  About the woman who helped win the vote in Wyoming and then was elected herself.

Lillian’s Right to Vote, Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans, 2015, Forbes, Grades  1-5, Picture book about Lillian Allen – her march through the history of voting rights in the U.S. until , at the age of 100, she casts her vote for Barack Obama and canvasses her Pittsburgh neighborhood.

Mary Walker Wears the Pants:  The True Story of the Doctor, Reformer and Civil War Hero, Cheryl Harness, 2013, Lilly, Grades 1-5, A very interesting person – mentions suffrage, although not a focus.

Miss Paul and the President:  The Creative Campaign for Women’s Right to Vote, Dean Robbins, 2016, Forbes, Grades K-5, Engaging picture book about the significant role that Alice Paul played and who she was as a feisty woman.

Rabble Rousers, Cheryl Harness, 2003, Lilly, Grades 1-5, American History through the experience of women.  Includes a significant suffrage section.

Remember the Ladies:  100 Great American Women, Cheryl Harness, 2001, Lilly and Forbes, Grades 1-5, Travel through American History from settlement to now through the experiences of famous American Women – very useful and interesting reference – good foundational history book.

Why Couldn’t Susan B. Anthony Vote: and other questions about Women’s Suffrage, Mary Kay Carson,  2015, Forbes, Grades 2-5  – Our best choice of the many Susan B. Anthony books.

Grades K-2

A Lady Has the Floor, Kate Hannigan, 2018, Forbes, Grades K-2, Picture book about Belva Lockwood who was nominated for president of the U.S. in 1872.

Around America To Win the Vote:  Two Suffragists, A Kitten, and 10,000 miles, Mara Rockliff, 2016, Lilly, Grades K-2, Very appealing about the perseverance of two suffragists in their cross country automobile tour to advocate for women’s suffrage – good book for young children.

Friends for Freedom:  The Story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, Suzanne Slade, 2014, Forbes, Grades K-3, Not as good as above but more detail and similar emphasis on their friendship.

Marching with Aunt Susan, Claire Rudolf Murphy, 2011, Forbes, Grades K-3, Picture book story of a real girl, Bessie Keith Pond, who met Susan B. Anthony and was inspired to pursue the vote; very engaging and well written.

Two Friends:  Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, Dean Robbins, 2016, Forbes, Grades K-2,   Accurate information and a compelling story about friendship and determination.

Grades 3-6

Let It Shine:  Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters, Andrea Davis Pinkney, 2000, Forbes, Grades 2-6, Short biographies of Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells and Harriet Tubman among others. A gorgeous book, well written with especially artistic illustrations.

Ida B. Wells:  Let the Truth Be Told, Walter Dean Myers, 2008, Forbes, Grades 3-5, Very effective picture book;  read aloud  (note lynching info and pictures that are sensitive).

Roses and Radicals:  The Epic Story of How American Women Won the Right to Vote, Susan Zimet and Todd Hasak-Lowy, 2018, Forbes, Grades  4-8.  An excellent overview of the suffrage movement with accurate and interesting details and interpretation of the history.  Good  for grades 5-8.

She Takes a Stand:  16 Fearless Activists Who Have Changed the World, Michael Elsohn Ross, 2015, Forbes, Grades 4-6, Connects modern feminist stories to historical contexts.

You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? Jean Fritz,1995, Forbes and Lilly, Grades 4-5, Very well written biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, first chapter would be a fine read aloud  for 2-5.

With Courage and Cloth:  Winning the Fight for a Woman’s Right to Vote, Ann Bausum, 2004, Lilly, Grades 4-6 and very useful for teachers.  Well written and interesting with helpful biographies and references; all illustrations are photographs.

Book List: Women’s suffrage and early years of the League of Women Voters

LWVMA recommended books on suffrage, history of the LWV and women’s rights for adults, children and teens. For a more complete list of children’s books compiled by the Northampton league, see our list (menu bar: 100th anniversary).

Books recommended by the Northampton 100th Anniversary Book Group

African American Women in the Struggle for the Vote 1850-1920, Rosalyn Terborg-Penn, 1998.  One copy in C/W MARS libraries. Available in paperback $20

Fighting Chance – The Struggle Over Woman Suffrage and Black Suffrage in Reconstruction America, Faye Dudden, 2011, 9 copies in C/W MARS libraries   Available in paperback $33

Massachusetts in the Woman Suffrage Movement ,Barbara F. Berenson, 2018,     19 copies in C/W MARS libraries   available $30

Sojourner Truth:  A Life, A Symbol, Nell Irvin Painter, 1996 48 copies in C/W MARS libraries

The Woman’s Hour:  The Great Fight to Win the Vote, Elaine Weiss, 2019, 66 copies in C/W MARS libraries. Available in Penguin paperback $18. This was the Book Group selection in October 2019, which focuses on the struggle to get Tennessee, the last state needed, to ratify the 19th amendment.

The Women’s Suffrage Movement, Sally Roesch Wagner, editor, 2019, 20  copies in C/W MARS libraries. Available in paperback $18

Why They Marched:  Untold Stories of the Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote , Susan Ware, 2019, 18 copies in C/W MARS libraries.  Available in hardcover $27

LWVMA 100th Anniversary Webinar Series

Free and open to the public.

I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone Performance

Date: April 16, 2020 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Registration: 

Author Talk: Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins

Date: May 6, 2020 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins is the author of The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters Registration:

Election: 2nd Hampden/Hampshire District state senate seat

VOTE BY MAIL. Apply now for your early mail-in ballot.

Vote for the person who will complete the term left by Senator Donald Humason, Jr.  Humason is currently the mayor of Westfield.

Candidates are John Velis (D), and John Cain (R).