Dear Victoria,
First you are not alone. We are in this together! We are all concerned that voting rights need more protection. Many of us sense that we are experiencing the continuation of an unresolved Civil War 150+ years later. We all want to see more being accomplished on Capitol Hill, in Richmond and in other state capitals to improve and save lives from guns, poverty, drugs, pollution, climate change and so much more. And I suspect many of us are concerned about Ukraine, admiring the bravery of its people and wondering what is ahead for them. Never forget that we stand together not only across Virginia, but with allies across the nation, in the fight for democracy and the rights for all people to freedom and dignity.
My second message is one of hope. This week’s Power Lunch reminds us that there are younger people joining us – and often leading — in the fight. And through a fascinating story, we will be reminded that we stand on the shoulders of others who fought for a better world in years long gone by. Inspiration is all around us.
ALL IN,
Stair
PS: And there will be endless inspiration in July when we meet at the Women’s Summit!
This week we will ask and hopefully answer three big questions: Why take a stand against moral wrongs? What does it mean to be an activist? Is there a personal cost for fighting injustice? To do this, we will find inspiration from the past as we embrace the future.
Philosophy professor and author Lydia Moland will share her new book “Lydia Maria Child: A Radical American Life” which tells the story of a popular and prolific writer, out-of-the box thinker, and courageous woman whose 1833 book about abolition resulted in friends deserting her, patrons ostracizing her, and book sales plummeting. Look forward to a conversation about two Lydias separated by time but joined by conviction.
One of the big stories of the 2022 midterm elections was the power of the youth vote. Generation Z has found its voice and is bringing it to the ballot box. But what about those too young to vote? Ella Duncan-High, one of the founders of Generation Ratify Virginia (an organization of young Virginians on a mission to guarantee equal rights for all), will talk about high school activism.
Next, Nick Guthman, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Blue Future, a youth-led political action committee focused on organizing young people around progressive electoral campaigns, will share how young people are pushing for a transformative and progressive agenda.
March is Women’s History Month, an opportunity to tell the stories of women who have been left out of the history books and continue to be excluded from the national news. Join us this Friday as we kick off our month-long dive into the radical life of women making change: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Post-Legislative Session Briefing
Join Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia as they break down all the important updates on reproductive rights from the 2023 Legislative Session and discuss what’s up next for protecting abortion access in Virginia in 2023 and beyond!
Thursday, March 2, 7 at 8:15pm EST
NOPE March 2, 2023 Kick-Off Meeting: Winning Wisconsin in ’23 and ’24!
The lead speaker will be Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, who faces a tough fight for re-election in 2024 — a must-win to preserve a Democratic Senate majority. We’ll also hear from Ben Wikler, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, and Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of VOCES de la Frontera, a powerhouse Wisconsin grassroots group. Our focus is on Wisconsin now because it will elect a new justice to its Supreme Court on April 4. This is shaping up to be one of the most important races of 2023 (Washington Post, Politico). The current Wisconsin Supreme Court, with a 4-3 conservative majority, has made some of the most anti-democratic decisions in the country. The election gives voters a vital chance to flip the seat and create a progressive majority, with real-world impacts on redistricting, voting rights, and abortion. Our speakers will address the importance of this race to Wisconsin and to the nation both now and in the 2024 elections.
Tuesday, March 7 (and weekly) at 6 pm
Wednesday, March 8, 7:00pm – 8:00 pm
Finding Our Voice – The Vote – CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Join the League of Women Voters for a panel discussion exploring American women’s journeys to the right to vote and the continued importance of the vote to all women’s voices today.
March 8 & Second Wednesdays each month–6:30 pm ET
Truth Brigade BIG TRUTHS: Campaign Launch to fight disinformation with Special Guests
Tuesday, March 14, 7:30-9:00 pm
The Rise of a Pro-Democracy Coalition
A conversation between Bill Kristi & Simon Rosenberg, moderated by Robert Hubbell
Banned Book Club – The Bluest Eye
Join Red, Wine and Blue for the March Meeting of Banned Book Book Club – where we will be discussing Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye with Dr. Derek Adams, Professor of English Literature at Ithaca College.
Thursday March 16, 11 am-9 pmET
Register Democrats Summit 2023
Join a movement-wide coalition focused on registering Democrats across the country. The summit brings together the best and brightest minds, from elected officials to tech leaders to grassroots organizers and so much more. Confirmed speakers include: Katie Porter (CA-47), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07),Brian Tyler Cohen, progressive superpodcaster,Simon Rosenberg, Founder, New Democrat Network,Santiago Mayer, Founder, Voters of Tomorrow, Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, Joe Vogel, MD State Rep, Lavanna Martinez, NJ political consultant, formerly w/Run for Something, Tonya James, VA Dem Party Exec Committee Member, Mischa Smith, former CO State House candidate.
Virginia Redress Network’s Monthly Meeting
Learn what progress Virginians are making on restitution and the many issues relating to racial and social justice.
Virtual Virginia Grassroots Coalition Meeting
Join 50+ grassroots groups as we review the 2023 Virginia legislative session and get ready for registering voters, selecting candidates to support and more.
Fairfax
Sunday, March 26, noon – 2 pm, Lake Barcroft
Meet Ben Litchfield for Senate – Securing the Senate for Working Families
Join Boyd Walker, Kathie Hoekstra and Duncan Barron for lunch at Stair & Mike Calhoun’s to support Ben Litchfield’s campaign for Senate District 27. Control of the Virginia Senate is on the line in 2023 and the majority runs through Fredericksburg. Let’s get together and help Flip It Blue!
Harrisonburg
International Women’s Day March
The Harrisonburg International Women’s Day Committee’s mission is to “Uplift the value of all women who come from diverse backgrounds and identities. We celebrate the voices of women through recognizing achievements and supporting collective pursuits for justice in our communities.” Join us! Contact: iwdharrisonburg@gmail.com
McLean
Fundraiser for Steve Descano, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Join Nadja Golding and Amy Bergner to help re-elect Steve Descano, Fairfax County’s effective and progressive prosecutor. Steve’s vision for Fairfax is based on the knowledge that safety and justice go hand in hand. His smart, data-driven reforms have made Fairfax’s justice system more fair and equal. Fairfax County is also the safest county of its size in the US, and Steve has created diversion programs and restructured the office to a victim-centric model. Steve has a primary opponent, Ed Nuttall, who has represented more than 20 police officers in police-involved shootings.RSVP and Donate here
