Durham Democratic Women

ERA legislation fell just 3 states short of ratification in 1982.
In 2015, just a few states are introducing ratification legislation, and one of them is
North Carolina. Get Involved!

Go to the NEW NC4ERA Website!

Become Informed - Visit our ERA Page

Visit Planned Parenthood Action

Visit NARAL
Pro-Choice North Carolina

Senator Mike Woodard &
Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin
Town Hall Meeting
January 29 at 7pm
South Regional Library [map]

Education Team Roundtable
Feb 3 at 6:00pm
Saladelia Cafe & Catering
4201 University Dr, Durham

Topic: Educating Children with Special Needs
Guests: Teachers Dabney Hopkins
and Tiffany Pyen Facebook event

Save the Date
HKonJ Moral March
Saturday, February 14, 2015

Durham County Democratic Party
Next meetings:

Feb 17 - Main Library (will include some precinct training)
March 17 - Stanford L. Warren Branch Library

Precinct meetings in late Feb - early March, dates coming from your precinct chair

County Convention in April
District Conventions in May

Women’s
Advocacy
Day

at the NC Legislative Building
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
16 W. Jones St., Raleigh
Expect information on bills before the legislature that will affect NCWU priorities in the areas of

Access to Health Care
Civic Participation and Equality
Economic Self Sufficiency
Violence Against Women

The day will include training on the specific “hot” issues in these four areas as well as tips for effective lobbying. But the most important part of the event is the visits you make to your legislators! More Info here

Great Meeting on January 11th!
Election Wrap-Up &
The War on Women
Thanks so much to our special guest speakers, Steve Gheen, Marena Groll, and Suzanne Buckley
See Photo Gallery
If you missed our meeting or want details -- more on the 2014 Election, NARAL and ERA , and other Women's Issues, is on our
Elections 2014 Page
Women's Rights Page
and
Our New ERA Page

Make a Donation

Durham Democratic Women is entirely run by volunteers and financed by generous donations like yours!
Thank you for your support.

Become a Member

Speak Out!
Write a Letter To The Editor !

...of your local paper or news outlet. This is a very important and effective tool. We need many different people to write on topics we care about.

--or--
Write effective op-eds to make your voice heard!

Everything you need to know to write letters is on our advocacy page.
And when you send it -- send a copy to us too -- we'll print it on our website…
durhamdemwomen@gmail.com

Thank you so much!

In State of the Union, Obama Sets an Ambitious Agenda

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR and JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS JAN. 20, 2015 New York Times

President Obama claimed credit on Tuesday for an improving economy and defiantly told his Republican adversaries in Congress to “turn the page” by supporting an expensive domestic agenda aimed at improving the fortunes of the middle class. Released from the political constraints of a sagging economy, overseas wars and elections, Mr. Obama declared in his sixth State of the Union address that “the shadow of crisis has passed,” and he vowed to use his final two years in office fighting for programs that had taken a back seat.
He called on Congress to make community college free for most students, enhance tax credits for education and child care, and impose new taxes and fees on high-income earners and large financial institutions. read article

Watch the State of the Union Address and learn more at whitehouse.gov

House GOP drops debate on abortion bill
January 22, 2015 Al Jazeera

House Republicans have abruptly dropped plans to debate a bill banning virtually all late-term abortions after objections from GOP women and other lawmakers left them short of votes. The decision was embarrassing for Republican leaders eager to display a united, GOP-led Congress. ...Republican leaders had planned to push the legislation through the House on Thursday. But after meeting repeatedly with female lawmakers and others who were unhappy with the measure, they decided late Wednesday to postpone that debate indefinitely. Thursday's vote had been timed to coincide with the annual March for Life, when anti-abortion protesters stream to Washington to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade...

Instead, the House will debate legislation banning taxpayer funding for abortion — a prohibition that is already largely in effect. The divisiveness over the measure comes as Republicans, looking ahead to the 2016 presidential and congressional elections, hope to increase their support from women. read story

The Secret History of Women in the Senate
By LIZA MUNDY January/February 2015
Politico

Kay Hagan just wanted to swim. It was late 2008, and the Democrat was newly arrived on Capitol Hill as North Carolina’s junior senator-elect. But Hagan was told that the Senate pool was males-only. Why? Because some of the male senators liked to swim naked. It took an intervention by Senator Chuck Schumer, head of the Rules Committee, to put a stop to the practice, but even then “it was a fight,” remembers pollster Celinda Lake, who heard about the incident when the pool revolt was the talk among Washington women...
In the entire history of the United States Senate, a mere 44 women have served. Ever. Those few who have were elected to a club they were never meant to join, and their history in the chamber is marked by sexism both spectacular and small.
read story

Go to Our Women's Rights Page

Making the guarantee of Roe v. Wade a reality for all
1/21/2015 by Suzanne Buckley NC Policy Watch

Thursday January 22 is the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision in which the Court established ... the constitutional right ... to choose whether to end a pregnancy... At NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina, we believe that ... each of us must be able to make our own decisions about pregnancy and parenting... we need solutions to improve all aspects of our health. But across the country and closer to home, politicians are creating new barriers that often make abortion services unaffordable or unavailable. Politicians in our state have used ...regulations [that] do nothing to make abortion safer or help a woman with her decision—they only serve to make accessing abortion care and other basic reproductive health care services more costly and difficult for the most vulnerable in our state. For too many women and families in our state, Roe simply is not a reality.

...It’s time to secure reproductive justice for all and to stop the terrible inequities that restrict reproductive health options, including abortion care...we need solutions that improve health and improve a woman’s ability to make the best reproductive health decisions ...there has also never been a better time to change the conversation about abortion, access to health care, paid family leave, and other reproductive justice issues... we must start a new conversation... Indeed, this conversation already has started in crowds at Moral Monday rallies, on campuses across the state, [etc.] The bottom line: If the guarantee of Roe v. Wade is to ever have real meaning for all the women of North Carolina, we must continue to lift our voices and speak out in support of our vision for reproductive health, rights and justice in our state. read article

Selma to Montgomery March
Robert H Jackson Center

Vignettes from "Eyes On the Prize" relating to the March 7-21, 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. watch video

Also see the trailer from the movie: Selma

click above to enlarge

Watch
Sunday's entire
Martin Luther
King Jr. Commemoration Service at Duke Chapel.
Dr. Rev. Barber's keynote address begins at 1:21:57: watch HERE.

Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes: MLK Day 2015 inspirations, motivations
January 18, 2015
Barnett Wright
AL.com
In honor of MLK Day 2015, here are some of the most inspirational quotes from the civil rights icon...

-- "The reason I can't follow the old eye-for-an-eye philosophy is that it ends up leaving everyone blind. "

-- "World peace through nonviolent means is neither absurd nor unattainable. All other methods have failed. Thus we must begin anew. Nonviolence is a good starting point." read more

Lawmakers reflect on 'no' votes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
By Ben Kamisar - 01/18/15 The Hill

Race relations have been central to political debates in recent months, from the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers in New York and Missouri to the recent revelation that House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke to a white supremacist group back in 2002... The King holiday used to be controversial, only passing the House more than ten years after Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) filed the first bill...The measure eventually passed in 1983. Ninety representatives and 22 senators voted against it.

The debate is now essentially settled... There are only six current members of Congress who previously voted against creating a national holiday for King. Another small handful did so at the state level... Steve Klein, a spokesman for the Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, said that the dwindling number of lawmakers opposing the holiday shows progress. “It also shows that people mature and get wiser and they get to understand that what Dr. King was talking about was really the American dream,” he told The Hill. read article

DDW Exclusive:
See the Fact-Filled Presentation of our January meeting
Losing 2014: The Missing Pieces

Teachers’ group makes pitch to win back tenure for all
1/22/2015 by Lindsay Wagner
NC Policy Watch

Last year, teachers got a big win when a Wake County Superior Court judge struck down part of a 2013 law that would have stripped tenure from educators who had already received it. But Judge Robert H. Hobgood allowed another piece of the law to remain, which prevents probationary teachers who are on track to receive tenure, formally known as “career status,” from securing what they see as an important job protection that affords them due process rights.

On Thursday attorneys on behalf of the North Carolina Association of Educators came before the Court of Appeals to argue that all teachers deserve the right to earn career status. Without providing probationary teachers with the prospect of these job protections, they further argued, it will be difficult to attract and retain high quality teachers–especially in light of the low salaries the state offers to them. The state also appealed Judge Hobgood’s ruling Thursday, contesting his decision that the General Assembly’s move to strip teachers of their career status was an unconstitutional revocation of a property right... “[Teachers] were given an understanding that at some point they would receive due process rights throughout their career,” said Ellis. “Once you begin to eliminate those due process rights, you’re putting them at a disadvantage and you’re impacting whether or not they will even remain in the profession.” Attorneys for NCAE said they hope to receive a decision from the Court of Appeals in a few months. read article

- also see -

WRAL: Skeptical appeals court takes on NC law ending teacher tenure rights
Go To Our Education Page

Jobs, education on legislative radar, but specifics are scarce
January 24, 2015 by Mark Binker WRAL

If you boil down everything senior lawmakers have said about the upcoming legislative session over the past two weeks, the result would be three words: jobs, education, Medicaid. But anyone trying to divine the specific proposals the General Assembly will push through this year would be hard-pressed to find someone really in the know willing to make a hard-and-fast commitment to a particular bill or proposal. "We'll be getting together as soon as we get back," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown, adding that Senate Republicans are still working on their legislative agenda. The House, too, is still developing its list of legislative priorities...

Lawmakers will begin filing bills on Wednesday, a process that will continue throughout the spring. But only a handful are likely to be heard, debated and passed this year. Many will see the most attention the day they are first posted online before being consigned to the legislative dustbin. As well, legislators say they are looking for some direction from the state's chief executive. read article

North Carolina

NC General Assembly
Convenes
Wednesday
Jan 14, 2015

Webpages for: HOUSE & SENATE
As we ready ourselves for the 2015 session, take a look at all that our NC lawmakers have done the past two years and stayed tuned for more on our "North Carolina" page.
Also see NAACP/Moral Mondays Page

Call the Governor
(919) 814-2000
Email McCrory

Check out Larry Hall's great new website to help us stay informed and involved! ncdemocraticleader.com

Protesters hope to deter McCrory's participation in immigration lawsuit
January 15, 2015 By Ken Smith WRAL

One day after the U.S. House voted to overturn President Barack Obama’s key immigration policies, dozens of people gathered outside the Executive Mansion in Raleigh on Thursday to protest Gov. Pat McCrory’s participation in a lawsuit against the president’s efforts. With Obama likely to veto any legislation killing his immigration plan and the House measure now going to the U.S. Senate, Wednesday’s vote will likely be symbolic.

But the lawsuit against the president’s policies, led by Texas Attorney General and Gov.-elect Greg Abbott, is moving forward. North Carolina is one of 17 states represented in the suit, which asks for a judge to block Obama’s actions. Under an executive order announced Nov. 20, an estimated 4.1 million parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years are protected from deportation and will have a right to work. The lawsuit alleges that Obama overreached his presidential powers...

Those gathered outside McCrory's residence Thursday want the governor to withdraw his name from the suit. read article

Go to Our Immigration Page

What’s at stake for North Carolina’s public schools in 2015?1/14/2015 by Lindsay Wagner NC Policy Watch

...as North Carolina faces a year in which some predict tax cuts will lead to inadequate state revenues that leave lawmakers with little choice but to rob Peter to pay Paul, what can we expect for our public schools? Rep. Craig Horn (R-Union) told N.C. Policy Watch this week that teacher pay is his number one priority for the upcoming legislative session. ...with veteran teachers up in arms over the shaft they received last year, lawmakers are facing substantial pressure to level the playing field and reward the teachers who have invested considerable time and training into their careers with higher salaries... Could lawmakers zero out the teacher assistant budget this year to pay for teachers’ raises, or will they raid another fund – like that of the beleaguered UNC system — to placate veteran teachers with higher pay?
Salaries alone aren’t the only agenda item when talking about teacher compensation. According to the North Carolina Association of Educators’ President Rodney Ellis, getting the salary supplement reinstated for teachers who hold advanced degrees is one of several top priorities for his group...

Folks on both sides of the political aisle are in agreement that students are subject to too many tests. “We want to see a reduction in the number of high stakes tests students are required to take,” NCAE’s Ellis told N.C. Policy Watch. read article

The defining policy question of 2015
1/13/2015 by Rob Schofield NC Policy Watch

...it is not at all difficult to forecast either the key issue or the central political figure of the drama that is to come. The issue is Medicaid expansion and the politician is Governor Pat McCrory... To say that the decision on whether to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act is the issue of 2015 is not to say that it is the only important issue of 2015... One completely unique factor, however, explains why no other single issue is ultimately as important to determining the near term future of North Carolina – ... it will save human lives – lots and lots of them. read article

Medicaid Conversation Gains Steam In North Carolina

By LEONEDA INGE Jan. 7, 2015 WUNC

The head of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is speaking out in support of expanding Medicaid in the state. Brad Wilson is President and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. “As business leaders of North Carolina, you need to help us craft a solution to expand Medicaid," said Wilson... Reports show 500,000 mostly low-income people in the state would have health care if Medicaid was expanded. These are people who are not eligible for coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act. read/listen to story

Also see/reread from NC Policy Watch:
Expand Medicaid? Now’s the time
- and -
Report from the Cone Health Foundation:
The Economic and Employment Costs of
Not Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina:
A County-Level Analysis

Go to Our Healthcare Page

click above to enlarge

Legislative website gets a new look for the New Year
Clayton Henkel Friday, January 2, 2015 1

Just in time for the 2015 legislative session, the official web site of the North Carolina General Assembly has been given a facelift. The redesigned site makes it easier for North Carolinians to follow chamber activity, stay up-to-date on committee meetings, and communicate with House and Senate members.

[Abovr] are four features that political junkies and citizens alike should appreciate. read post here
Go to Our North Carolina Page

GOOD NEWS ABOUT DEMOCRATS!
DECEMBER 12, 2014
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEN COUNTIES WHICH PRODUCED
THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE
OF VOTES FOR SENATOR HAGAN IN 2014!
HIGHEST PERCENTAGE –
DURHAM COUNTY – 76.62%
COUNTY CHAIR TRACY BURNS-VANN
pictured above with Michelle Obama
read Good News About Democrats here

click to play video

Washington Post Video Cartoon of McCrory on Voter Bill

Looking for something that used to be on this page?
Check Out Pages for Each Issue Under "Advocacy" Tab Above

Join Us!

January is the time to renew your DDW membership!
$20 covers one calendar year, from January-December.
please print and fill out this form;
then mail with your check.
100% of your $20
goes toward our local and statewide Democratic Women campaigns and events.

Links:
Durham County Board of Elections
Democratic Women of NC
Durham Co. Democratic Party
NC Democratic Party
Durham People's Alliance
NAACP of NC
NC State Board of Elections
BarackObama.com

Tweets by @durhamdemwomen

Voter Protection
Hotlines:
1-888-OUR-VOTE
[1-888-687-8683]

Your source
for voter information
ncelectionconnection.com

League of Women Voters
Voter Information Page

NORTH CAROLINA VOTER GUIDELINES--Good website to quickly check all the dates and facts about voting now in NC

Letter-Writing Info

Represent Durham Democratic Women:
Buy yourself a shirt!

click above for info on these fair judges

PRINT SHOP
Handouts to view or print:

two
important handouts:
North Carolina
Voter’s Bill of Rights

Don’t Be Fooled. You Can Vote!

Click to print your own little DDW info cards, cut & hand out!

Durham Democratic Women
Headlines
go to our
members page
to see all news & photos.

Congratulations to Durham Democrat
Angie Elkins!
Angie received the President's Award at the convention of the NC Democratic Women in New Bern over the weekend. Angie served as National President of the National Federation of Democratic Women and has held many other positions in the Democratic Party. Yea Angie!
You are the BEST!

Links - Groups

Democracy North Carolina
NC Policy Watch
Protect Our Vote NC
Lillian's List of NC
NARAL Pro-Choice NC
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood NC
Roe Is Here For Good
Orange Co. Democratic Women
NAMI (Mental Health)
NAMI Durham
EqualRightsAmendment.org
MomsDemandAction (guns)
Food & Water Watch

Links
News and Blogs
Assembly Issue Tracker
N&O Under The Dome
Indy Week
Nation of Change
Daily Kos
Media Matters

THIS AND THAT

Don't Buy Koch--

Here is a list of Koch products.

Makers: Women who Make America

See Trailer
The story of the women's movement told through the eyes of the women who were there. A must-see!
Watch it online at makers.com

Video Selects from North Carolina
About the Project… Story of America is a web series and feature documentary that explores the polarization that exists in America today along political, economic and cultural lines.

click to enlarge... great shot.

McCrory gives protesters cookies
N&O July 30, 2013

Go To Our Members Page
to See Durham Dem Women News and Photo Galleries

Democratic Women of Durham County (DWDC), PO Box 377, Durham, NC 27702 durhamdemwomen@gmail.com webmaster

Speak Out!Write a Letter To The Editor !

North Carolina

Join Us!﻿

Makers: Women who Make America

Go To Our Members Page to See Durham Dem Women News and Photo Galleries

Start your own free website

Speak Out!
Write a Letter To The Editor !

Join Us!

Go To Our Members Page
to See Durham Dem Women News and Photo Galleries