Please note: the Weekly Update Will NOT be Published on Nov. 27

Boswell Book company has invited the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County to participate in their gift wrapping fundraiser for the holidays.  Boswell will make a donation to the League, and we can collect tips from the wrapping station!

Thanks to all the volunteers who signed up to cover our volunteer shifts!

Please show your support for this independent book seller during the holiday season - beginning this Saturday, Nov 22!

Local Climate Experts Present Bold Climate Projects

Saturday, Nov. 22, 10am-noon

Summit Place, 1st floor conference room

6737 W. Washington St., West Allis, WI

Learn about our local government’s efforts to address climate change and ways you can be active at the local level at this free public presentation.

"Climate Change is the overriding issue of our time,” said Louise Petering, co-chair of LWVMC’s Climate Action Group. “We must support our local champions and their work in Milwaukee County to address this global issue." 

Presenters: 

– Erick Shambarger, Director, City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office

– Grant Helle, Director, Milwaukee County Office of Sustainability

The speakers lead the implementation of the County's Action 2050 Plan and the City's Climate and Equity Plan, which aim to address climate change and economic inequities in our area, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

"Despite recent setbacks in climate action by the Trump Administration, local government, including the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, are pressing forward," Shambarger said. "We're excited to present bold climate projects for both government operations and the community at large, including efforts to dramatically expand access to electric vehicle charging.”

The event is co-sponsored by Citizen Action of WI, Healthy Climate WI, and Our Future Milwaukee. Register here.

Did you know that CCTV, or Closed Circuit Television, is a real-time video surveillance system primarily used at retail stores, workplaces, and on public transportation? Law enforcement can access CCTV footage, sometimes without a warrant.

If you reside in the City of Milwaukee, we encourage you to contact your alderperson and Mayor Johnson and urge them to ban the Milwaukee Police Department’s current and future use of surveillance technologies like CCTV and Facial Recognition Technology. With the permission of the Milwaukee Turners, we are sharing sample call and email scripts that can be used to contact your alderperson and the Mayor: bit.ly/no-FRT-script

Here is what you need to know about League Café for upcoming months. 

Excepting Nov./Dec., we meet from 10:00 a.m. to Noon on the 4th Friday of the month, usually at the East Side Library, located on the corner of Cramer Street and North Avenue. 

Due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, we can’t very well meet on our usual 4th Fridays. Therefore, it was decided at the Oct. meeting to have one meeting on Dec. 5th.  

At our October meeting we selected the books for 2026 (and the last meeting of 2025). The books and their monthly meetings are as follows. 

1. December 5th — On Tyranny AND On Freedom, by Timothy Snyder. The logic was that the author’s two books go hand-in-glove.

2. February – Beekeeper of Aleppo, (novel) by Christy Lefteri.

3. April – James, (novel) by Percival Everett. 

4. June – The Common Good, by Robert Reich.

5. August – Saving Us, by Katherine Hayhoe.

6. October – Lovely One, (memoir) by Ketanji Brown Jackson.

7. Nov/Dec – Who Is Government, by Michael Lewis. 

The East Side Library meeting room is already reserved for the Dec. 5th meeting and Boswell Books has ordered both book. As of Oct. 27th, there was one copy of On Tyranny on Boswell’s “club” shelf with 4 more on order.  The paperback version of On Freedom became available on Oct. 28th and should be on the shelf now.

The alternate months (those not listed above) will be “general discussion” as usual. There is always plenty of discussion on various topics of interest at the time.  

Please join us!

The Natural Resources Committee will meet by Zoom on Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m.

Carol Diggelman and Louise Petering have joined Ann Batiza as co-chairs of this committee.  New members are welcome!  Besides the monthly update from Joe Dubaniewicz on electronic vehicles and renewable energy sources as well as a report from the Climate Action Group, we will consider how to educate our members locally as a study on nuclear energy, initiated by Carol Diggelman, is being submitted to the State League with the support of the State Natural Resources Committee.  

ZOOM LINK

LGBTQ+ This Week: Give Them Their Flowers

Transgender people across the United States continue to face very real risks of violence, with dozens killed each year. The true number is uncertain because many police and media reports do not identify victims by gender identity. In Wisconsin, one gender-based killing has been confirmed so far in 2025 — that of 23-year-old transgender woman Amyri Dior in Milwaukee. This is believed to be an undercount, as many cases go unreported or misclassified.

To honor those lost and celebrate resilience, attend “Give Them Their Flowers: A Trans Community Gathering” on Thursday, November 20, from 5–6 p.m. — a time for remembrance, solidarity, and hope. HERE'S THE LINK

The Waukesha County Volunteer Coordinator for VOTE411 is open. The position recruits Community Volunteers to contact municipal and school board clerks for candidate contact information prior to inviting candidates to participate in the VOTE411 online Voter guide. You don’t need to live in Waukesha. Experience with VOTE411 is helpful, whether as a community volunteer or otherwise, but not essential. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Beth Lueck at b.lueck@lwvmilwaukee.org.

It is once again time for the City of Milwaukee’s  Equal Rights Commission’s annual International Human Rights Day Celebration, taking place on December 6th, 2025,  This marks our 8th year uplifting human rights work in Milwaukee, and this year’s program will feature dynamic speakers and panelists who will lead thoughtful conversations on issues shaping both our local and global communities — including immigration rights, LGBTQ+ equity, genocide awareness, global human rights challenges, and the ongoing impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Your presence would be deeply valued, as this event brings together community leaders, advocates, and residents committed to building a more just and inclusive Milwaukee for all. 

Feel free to share it with your network, family and friends.