June Meeting: Democratic Candidates and New SCDW Officers

SCDW Officers Sworn in on June 9, 2016

SCDW Officers Sworn in on June 9, 2016

The June 9 meeting of the Sedgwick County Democratic Women was held at the Machinists Hall on S. Meridian.

The evening began with an extensive potluck (yum!) and socializing, followed by brief presentations from local Democratic candidates for political office. There are more Democratic candidates this year, and many of the presenters at the June 9 meeting cited their frustration with the current state of affairs in the state capitol and their desire to improve conditions for citizens of Kansas. The continuing attacks on public education seemed to be the final straw for many of them, on top of the health care debacle, deteriorating infrastructure and overall quality of life.

Sherry Livingston, outgoing VP, helped coordinate the evening’s agenda and encouraged SCDW members and people in the audience to meet their local candidates and support as many as possible with financial contributions and volunteering for campaign activities. She and her team did a super job planning, organizing and setting up for what turned out to be a terrific event. Another shout-out to Carl Williams who set up a photo station to take head shots of the candidates for them to use in their materials.

Following the candidate meet-and-greet, the SCDW business meeting got underway. The primary goal of the meeting was to install new officers: Fran Jackson, President; Deb Shepard, 1st VP; Debra Washington, 2nd VP; Ardena Matlack, Recording Secretary; Vernette Chance, Corresponding Secretary; Cathy Wilheim, Treasurer; Pat McCurdy, Auditor. Fran presented each outgoing officer with a giant sunflower and remarks of appreciation.

We discussed other business, including having a booth at the July 9 Artisan Market at The Workroom (see more info here). We will sell BrownBackward clocks, cell phone cases and other items, and have a voter registration table. If you would like to staff the event, please let us know. The money we raise from the sale of items goes toward supporting Democratic candidates.

We typically do not meet during the summer months, but there’s still a lot to do. We would like to support the Southwind Women’s Clinic in the face of the anti-choice forces that will descend upon our city in mid-July to spew their rhetoric. We will post more info about that activity, or contact a SWDC officer to find out more.

If you’re outraged by what has been happening in Topeka, then please do what you can to help oust the legislators that have supported Gov. Brownback’s disastrous policies.