 |  | Introducing … Kelly Holzer, LWVMC Administrative Support Coordinator
LWVMC President Peg Schrader is pleased to announce the hiring of our new Administrative Support Coordinator, LWVMC’s lone paid employee. Kelly will work 25-30 hours per week, and will establish regular in-office hours soon.
Prior to joining the LWV team, Kelly worked in veterans affairs claims, in state child and family welfare, and in continuing education with UW System. She also has over two decades of community organizing and voter registration experience. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Social Science and Special Education from UW-Stout, and she is currently working on her Master of Science in Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education with Certificates in Nonprofit Management and Racial Justice at UW-Milwaukee.
Outside of work, Kelly is a Marvel fan who likes to read, travel, play board games, and spend time with her 23-year-old daughter, Amanda, and their two dogs: Loki, a Golden Retriever and Kelly’s hearing service animal, and Molly, a rambunctious Doodle who is training to one day take over when Loki retires. | | Kelly is happy to be on board and is excited to work with her new team to help defend democracy and to protect the voting rights of Milwaukee County residents.
Kelly will be available Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. She will work remotely on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and in the office on Thursdays and Fridays.
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Good Trouble Lives On Demonstration TODAY
Thursday, July 17, 4-5:30pm - Waukesha
Sidewalk in front of Cutler Park - 321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha
Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of nonviolent action. On July 17, the anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing, we’re taking action across the country to defend our democracy and carry forward his legacy of Good Trouble.
From voter suppression bills like the SAVE Act to the criminalization of protest, a full-scale attack has been launched on our civil and human rights. But we know the truth: in America, the power lies with the people, and we’re rising to prove it.
This is more than a peaceful protest; it’s a moral reckoning. A continuation of the movement Lewis helped lead, and a new front in the struggle for freedom.
Please join Donna Spars and Liz Harris-Hodge in honoring John Lewis’ legacy. LWV attire encouraged.
If you would like to demonstrate with the League, meet up outside Waukesha Cafe House, 410 Wisconsin Ave., at 3:45. Donna will be carrying the US flag. Contact Donna - dspars@lwvmilwaukee.org, if you have questions.
For more information: Good Trouble Demonstration and Waukesha Resist |  | | The Library Outreach Team is sponsoring
A Voter Registration Training
THIS SATURDAY, July 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Summit Place, 6737 W. Washington St, West Allis | Room 2135
The Library Outreach team is offering this Voter Registration Training session in anticipation of the upcoming National Voter Registration Day on September 16, 2025. If you are interested in volunteering at some of the League’s many upcoming Voter Registration events, you’ll need to be educated in how to register voters. If you’ve never been trained, or if you’d like a refresher, join us! Please RSVP to Amy Germershausen by Friday Noon. Or just show up!
AND - if you have any questions about the work that the Library Outreach Team is doing, please reach out to both Co-Chairs:
Amy Germershausen a.germershausen@lwvmilwaukee.org
The Library Outreach Team is a sub-committee of Voter Services.
|  | Milwaukee Election Commission Upcoming Community Listening Sessions
The Milwaukee Election Commission (MEC) wants to hear from voters at their Community Listening Sessions:
Tuesday, July 22, 5 pm at 4830 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
Wednesday, July 23, 5 pm at 5460 N. 64th St.
Saturday, July 26, 8 am at 2944 N. 9th St.
MEC wants to hear about City of Milwaukee residents' voting experiences to learn what is going well and what could be improved. Their mission is to ensure that all elections are secure, fair, transparent, and accessible in order to instill voter confidence in the democratic process. Join them for one of the listening sessions and share your feedback, thoughts and ideas about the election process. Feel free to share the flyer with friends and family members! Registration is encouraged.
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County is an official supporter of this event. |  |
All Invited to Repro Rights Committee Social
July 23 at Hoyt Park
The Repro Rights Committee, co-chaired by Charlie Gaebler-Uhing and Gail Sklodowska, invites members and friends to a Social event, July 23 5-7 PM at the Hoyt Landing Beer Garden, 1800 N Swan Blvd, Wauwatosa. All are invited to join the conversation and have some fun as we create garland tassels to draw attention to our committee and for attendees to take home or contribute to the Garland of Choice. See examples below. |  | Pillars of Democracy on Display
Artist Niki Johnson has unveiled her "Pillars of Democracy" on social media and in person, first at the LWVWI annual meeting in June. The art is four panels, 72”x 98” each, mixed media collage on plywood. Several artists and dozens of volunteers contributed to the project. Volunteers from LWVMC's Repro Rights committee devoted many hours, with co-chairs Gail Sklodowska and Charlie Gaebler-Uhing, and member Linda Reid topping the list.
Linda commented, “Niki created a real community in her studio. Not only did I have the opportunity to contribute to these amazing pieces of art that will have a lasting impact, but I came to know so many intelligent, interesting women there. Ursula Le Guin said ‘Resistance and change often begin in art’ and we were all so fortunate to be a part of it.”
The art is loaded with meaning -- its history, materials, models and images – and will be displayed in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda for the Aug. 6th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act commemoration. Read about this extraordinary project at Niki's website.
|  |  | | Dear Friends,
More and more bills are being introduced at the state and federal levels that, if passed, would require Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC) such as a US birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate in order to vote.
These laws do nothing to safeguard elections (which are already extremely secure!). Instead, they add significant red tape that can keep eligible voters from voting if they don’t have easy access to these documents.
You’re one of our most trusted partners, and I want to be sure you have the latest information about how current and proposed DPOC laws could impact our work. Join VoteRiders, the League of Women Voters of the US, and Stand Up America for a FREE webinar to learn more on July 23 at 3PM EDT (2PM CDT).
REGISTER HERE
In this webinar, we’ll:
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Explain what Documentary Proof of Citizenship (DPOC) laws are and why they matter
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Raise awareness of the current and upcoming DPOC legislative and ballot efforts
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Share research and lessons learned from past fights against DPOC laws
This is a great way to learn more about these harmful laws and how they could impact your work as you reach out to voters and support their civic participation.
Be sure to register today as space is limited! You must be registered in order to join the webinar. All registrants will receive a copy of the slide deck and recording of the presentation following the event.
Sincerely,
Dr. Selene M. Gomez
National Outreach Director
VoteRiders |  | | Climate Action Update
Meet the Climate Action Group at Estabrook Park
July 26, 10 AM - Noon at the Beer Garden
If poor weather: Bay Shore Lutheran Church, 1200 E. Hampton, Whitefish Bay. Meet informally with members and friends for a quick review of this past year’s Climate Action Group events and actions - including the July 16 presentation of the County’s Climate Action 2050 Plan. Share your thoughts for potential climate-related activities and events in the 2025-26 League year. The impact of the changes at the federal level makes the work of our LWVMC Climate Action Group more important than ever. Connect with like-minded members and friends to brainstorm ways we can work together on the local level to create the healthy climate and environment we want for current and future generations.
Sign up now for your County Supervisor’s email updates to stay current with County efforts to address climate change. Sign up at https://findyourcountysupervisor.com/?utm_source=www.findyourcountysupervisor.com (When you enter your address, use N, S, E, W for cardinal directions.)
HERE’S A TIP: Reduce the AI Drain on the electric grid! When you search online, enter -AI (that’s minus AI) before you click. “Voila!” You will not drain the grid and get an AI summary, an amalgam, an average, of all that is out there on the internet. Instead you get a list of options from which YOU CHOOSE. Spread the word!
If you are interested in attending our meetings, being on the email list, or joining the CAG, contact c.owley@lwvmilwaukee.org
|  | | The “Big Beautiful Bill” contained monies to hire 10,000 more ICE agents and to expand the number of beds by 80,000 for detention facilities in order to reach a deportation/removal goal of a million people per year. This is especially concerning as many immigrants are not being accorded their constitutional right to due process.
How can you help?
Become a community defense network verifier! Verifiers are people who respond to ICE alerts by quickly traveling to the reported locations to confirm or deny ICE activity. NOTE: The role requires reliable transportation and some daytime flexibility.
Trainings are being held at the Voces Milwaukee office (733 W. Mitchell St) every first and third Saturday of the month from 1-3pm.
Please sign up in advance at: ICE Verifier Training Form
Only one training is required.
Upcoming dates: Saturday, July 19th; Saturday, August 2nd; Saturday, August 16th; Saturday, September 6th; Saturday, September 20th.
Questions? Contact Donna Spars, d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org |  |
True or False?: There are only 2 genders: male and female.
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While an executive order, "Defending Women from Gender Ideology, Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," asserts that "it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female" and that "the sexes are not changeable, and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality," this position is not supported by current medical science. Medical science understands sex as a spectrum, not a strict binary.
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Biological sex is determined by a combination of chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy. Although "male" and "female" are the predominant categories based on typical XX/XY chromosomes and reproductive anatomy, biological sex is not exclusively binary. Intersex individuals, whose anatomy, chromosomes, or hormones do not align with the typical definitions of male or female, represent a natural variation found in approximately 1 in 1,500 to 1 in 2,000 live births (though estimates may vary).
In summary:
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Male and female are the most frequently observed biological categories.
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Intersex conditions are legitimate, medically recognized natural variations.
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Sex is distinct from gender, which is a broader, socially influenced concept encompassing identity, roles, and expression.
Consequently, the notion that there are only two sexes oversimplifies the biological complexity of human sex. Acknowledging sex as a spectrum, influenced by multiple factors, fosters a more comprehensive understanding and respect for human biological diversity.
Resource: NIH/NCBI, PMC
| |
LWVWI, together with local leagues, is hosting a 60th Anniversary celebration commemorating the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and we hope you can join us!
This will be a powerful community gathering to honor landmark civil rights legislation and mobilize against decades of attacks on voting rights, with a call to restore and protect them through the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Diana Wynn, LWV president, is the keynote speaker.
Register here
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Voting Rights Act - Anniversaries to Celebrate
On Aug. 6, 2025, help celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), and the 50th anniversary of the Language Minority Provision, an amendment to the VRA that protects citizens’ access to election information in their dominant language.
Both anniversaries fall on Aug. 6, selected for its historic significance – the day in 1861 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Confiscation Act, a precursor to the Emancipation Proclamation.
Eloisa Gómez, League facilitator for the Milwaukee VRA Anniversary Commemorative Advisory Committee, outlined the celebratory activities. She is also chair of LWVMC Comité por el voto Latino/ Latinx Outreach team and a member of LWVWI’s Wisconsin Community Alliance Committee (CAC).
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VRA Day will be proclaimed by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Governor Evers, and other elected officials throughout the state.
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A series of voter awareness actions will begin on Juneteenth Day, June 19, with the theme, “We Are the Voting Rights Act”/ “Somos la ley del derecho al voto.”
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Educational events will increase public knowledge of current challenges facing voting rights by state or federal legislation.
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Organizers will produce up to 20 videos, using the theme, “Amplify the Vote,” of diverse Milwaukeeans sharing their perspective on the importance of the voting.
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To highlight key historical victories after decades of racial discrimination, a bilingual informational handout material about Mr. Ezekiel Gillespie, Milwaukee resident – and the first African American gaining the right to vote in Wisconsin – has been created for distribution throughout the city. Read about it HERE
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Book clubs and libraries will be encouraged to promote books on civil rights.
|  | | Watch for location details coming soon.
And PLEASE fill out our Advocacy Interest Survey to see the various issues and policies our community and members are addressing. Get involved!
| Unite and Rise 8.5 Milwaukee County
On April 17, LWV CEO Celina Stewart and President Dianna Wynn released a statement that 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.” This initiative calls for engaging 8.5 million voters in forms of non-violent protest. Based on historical research, this is the number of voters required to successfully prevent authoritarianism.
What can we do on the local level? Sign the following action form: Commit to Defend Democracy
If you are interested in amplifying our work locally as part of the Unite & Rise 8.5 Milwaukee Committee, please contact Donna Spars, d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org.
|  | Friday, July 25th | 10:00 a.m.
East Side Library, 2320 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee
Book discussion of “Demystifying Disability” by Emily Ladau. Whether you read the book or not, our discussions are always interesting, and everyone has something to learn and contribute on this important topic. Join us!
There is parking behind the library through the archway. | |
Google help?
Are you a Google Guru or a Google Genius? Or even just a regular person who knows more about using Google than most of us? If so, we need you! We would like to hold a series of training sessions about Google and all its glorious facets. Many of our members are novices, and need to start from the beginning. Others of us know enough to get by, but would like to become proficient. We will be using Google’s training videos to conduct each session and then have a Q&A discussion guided by you, our Expert. If you are able to help us, please contact Nancy Maloney at n.maloney@lwvmilwaukee.org.
|  | INVEST MONTHLY IN DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County invites you to become a monthly donor. Join our monthly giving program to support our mission to empower voters and defend democracy. Answer the call to Unite and Rise against the anti-democratic actions of this administration!!
How do I sign up?
Go to the League website at www.lwvmilwaukee.org and sign-in as a member. Click on the donate button and you will see six opportunities to give with the top left being “recurring donations.” (See image below.) Click on “Schedule donation” in the recurring donations button.
Then follow the prompts. There is a minimum of $10 per month and you will need a credit card. |  |  | |
“This app is the easiest way to stay on top of League legislative action updates” says Gail Sklodowska, VP Advocacy. “Glad to see LWVWI taking advantage of it.”
Stay in the loop and take action—join the OutreachCircle app for the latest updates from LWVWI on how to protect democracy. You’ll get timely alerts and tools to make your voice heard when it matters most. Join League in Action here! |  |  | | Invitation from ACLU:
Learn About Community Control Over Police Surveillance
Join the ACLU of Wisconsin for a community issue briefing and testimony training on the growing use of surveillance technologies like facial recognition by law enforcement. As these technologies expand without clear public oversight, so does the risk to our civil rights and liberties.
Tuesday, July 22nd 6:30pm
The Palm Garden of Turner Hall
1040 N. Vel R Phillips Ave
Whether you're new to the issue or already organizing in your neighborhood, your voice matters in the fight to defend privacy and civil rights in Milwaukee and beyond.
Register here. Free and open to the public. |  | |
Interested in Helping Refugees in Our Community?
Hanan Refugee Resettlement assists refugees with housing arrangements, clothing, and groceries in starting a new life. Their budget has been markedly diminished in the last months.
Volunteers Needed: July 26th 11AM–2PM
Salam Elementary School, 815 W. Layton Ave
Join Hanan Refugee Resettlement Agency for the Refugee & Immigrant Health Fair on Saturday, July 26th in Milwaukee! Hanan assists refugees after their arrival in the US in starting a new life. We’re looking for general volunteers to help with setup, clean-up, registration, babysitting & games, as well as language interpreters (Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Burmese, Rohingya, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, and Urdu)
Email staff@hananrrg.org to volunteer.
Questions? Contact Donna Spars at d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org. |
Accessing Members-Only Resources on the LWVMC Website
The website contains resources for members-only. Members must be logged in to see this information.
| Support Local Democracy. Support Your League.
Your support is critical to help our nonpartisan grassroots organization reach voters play a critical role in democracy. It would not be possible to empower voters and defend democracy without your support.
Thank you! LWVMC
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