The League of Women Voters and the Breakfast Business and Professional Women of Spartanburg are partnering to commemorate Women’s Equality Day on Sunday, August 26, 2018, from 4-6 pm at SMC Studio inside the Aug. W. Smith Building at 174 E. Main Street, Spartanburg. This day marks the ratification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote.

Kathryn Smith, author of The Gatekeeper, will portray Missy LeHand, Franklin Roosevelt’s Executive Secretary, during the event. Books will be available for purchase.  Her presentation is made possible by a grant from South Carolina Humanities, a not-for-profit organization; inspiring, engaging and enriching South Carolinians with programs on literature, history, culture and heritage. 

Additionally, there will be tributes to former Congresswoman Liz Patterson and to Dr. Alice Henderson, daughter of the founders of Hatcher Gardens. There will also be acknowledgement of the 100th birthday of Katherine Johnson, the NASA scientist/mathematician depicted in the movie Hidden Figures.

The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited so please RSVP via EventBrite by Monday, August 20. Don't let the event and presenter names fool you, men are welcome and encouraged to attend!

This program is sponsored in part by South Carolina Humanities, a not-for-profit organization; inspiring, engaging and enriching South Carolinians with programs on literature, history, culture and heritage.  Other contributors include the Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Cyndi Waters, Mary Black Health System, Spark Space at the Spartanburg County Public Libraries, Sam’s Club, Debra Robinson, and John Claggett.

During the 53rd LWV National Convention in Chicago, Virginia Kase, the next Chief Executive Officer of the League of Women Voters of the United States, was introduced.   With more than 20 years’ experience working in the non-profit sector, she is a passionate activist and advocate for social justice.  Virginia will start in her new role with the League on July 25th.
 
Virginia is currently the Chief Operating Officer of CASA, an organization at the forefront of the immigrant rights movement representing nearly 100,000 members. In her position as COO, she has driven the strategic growth, direction, and operations of the organization fighting for Latino and immigrant rights. Virginia started her career in nonprofit at the age of 23 when she co-founded the Hartford Youth Peace Initiative in an effort to help reduce gang violence in her hometown of Hartford, CT.

Read more about Virginia in her recent interview with Glamour magazine.

Although it's free, please RSVP though EventBrite so we'll know how many to expect.
Come chat with your fellow citizens over supper!

Last night, the League heard from Dr. Jennifer Parker and Ms. Stacey Olson about the Child Protection Training Center at USC Upstate's The George.  They shared the negative impact that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have on individuals during childhood and throughout adulthood.  We also learned that engaged, caring people can moderate or even reverse these negative outcomes.  YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  The research on ACEs has resulted in evidence-based techniques and training.  Learn more about ACEs and USC Upstate's programs here.  The Center is one of only four in the country!  Some training is open to non-students and there's a degree program if you want to go even deeper.

Consider joining the SC Progressive Network for this round-table discussion on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, from 7-9 pm in the USC Law School Auditorium, 1525 Senate St, Columbia, SC.

As South Carolina reels from the growing corruption scandal in the State House and fallout from the nuclear fiasco, the public is invited to a timely round-table discussion about how we can reduce the influence of money in state politics and policy making. Legislators and advocates will debate ways to make state government more representative, competitive, and responsive to South Carolina citizens.

At the table: Rep. Gilda Cobb Hunter (D-Orangeburg); Sen. Mike Fanning (D-Fairfield); Rep. Gary Clary (R-Oconee); Sen. William Timmons (R-Greenville); Lynn Teague, Vice President, League of Women Voters South Carolina; and John Crangle, Government Relations Director, SC Progressive Network. Moderator: Brett Bursey, Executive Director, SC Progressive Network.

The audience will be invited to ask questions and offer comment.

The free event, sponsored by the nonpartisan Education Fund of the SC Progressive Network, is on the House and Senate’s legislative calendar. Reception to follow. RSVP/Share event on Facebook.

Click here to read about a package of anti-corruption bills the Network is backing and tracking.