Meetings with Assemblymember Kelles

LWV Tompkins County & LWV Cortland County meeting with Anna Kelles
Feb 28, 2022 Recording of online meeting (59 minutes)

Cover for League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

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League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

The League of Women Voters of Tompkins County is non-partisan as an organization. The League acts on those issues chosen by the membership for study and action, or by a process of concurrence, and may support or oppose specific ballot items.

League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

4 hours ago

Ithaca Bans Off Our Bodies rally was one of over 180 rallies held across the nation on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Organized by Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund, the rally was held in opposition to the possibility of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.A LWVTC said the following, I speak to you today as a member of the League of Women Voters of Tompkins County. The League was founded in 1920, just 6 months before women won the right to vote. The League is a nonpartisan organization that welcomes all genders as members. It has worked for over a century to educate and empower voters and to defend our democracy.I am a lifelong New Yorker and an Ithaca resident of over 30 years. I chose to raise my family here. Throughout my life, I have had access to the best reproductive health care and I have had autonomy over my body. This is not something I can take for granted any longer.Abortion rights are not just an issue for people with uteruses - they are a human rights issue. Abortion rights in this country are rooted in the Constitutional right to privacy. If Roe and Planned Parenthood v, Casey are overturned, other personal decisions protected by that same right are threatened.In addition, if we outlaw safe and accessible reproductive health care, we are essentially declaring a war on people in poverty. It will be low-income people, who are disproportionately people of color and minorities, who will be hurt the most if people with uteruses and their partners cannot choose what to do during pregnancy.The League of Women Voters joins with reproductive rights organizations across the US/ in the fight to provide every US resident, regardless of their race, gender, orsocioeconomic status, with access to affordable, quality health care, including birth control, abortion care, and the right to make reproductive choices that are right for them. Our country is at a crucial moment in our fight for reproductive freedom. What is at stake: our constitutional right to abortion, which has protected women and pregnant people for nearly 50 years. If Roe is overturned, tens of millions of people with uteruses across the country may lose the right to make decisions about their own bodies.The majority of Americans support safe and legal abortions. WE must take action now. YOUR VOTE MATTERS. Make your voice heard by voting in Local Elections – School Board, village, town and city, as well as State and National Elections. Our Congressman Tom Reed has resigned and a special election is coming soon! Vote for his replacement! GO to VOTE411.org and find out who is running; the flyers are being handed out below. Vote for the person who represents your views. Then hold them accountable.Your vote helps determine your access:to affordable health careto racial, economic and social justice,to climate reformto equity in educationIt ensures that we’re all represented in our government, notjust those of us with greater wealth or systemic advantages.Go out and VOTE ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

1 day ago

During this unprecedented time, when COVID-19 has threatened our health, safety, and livelihoods, we are reminded of the disproportionate and unique impact this virus has on women. In the long term, when COVID-19 has been contained, we hope our Federal Government passes the Equal Rights Amendment so that in future pandemics, Women do not bear the brunt of the effects.Jobs and the WorkforceThere are massive layoffs happening for low-wage workers. Here are some statistics from the National Women’s Law Center about the impact this has on women:Women make up nearly six in ten (58 percent) workers in low-wage jobs that typically pay less than $11 per hour. Women are even more overrepresented in the lowest-wage jobs: close to seven in ten (69 percent) of those holding jobs that typically pay less than $10 per hour are women. And a disproportionate number of women in low-wage jobs are women of color.In 2016, women made up nearly two-thirds of the nearly 24 million workers in low-wage jobs (defined as jobs that typically pay $11.50 per hour or less), though they make up slightly less than half (47 percent) of the workforce as a wholeThe occupations of personal care aides, food preparation and serving workers (including fast food workers), registered nurses, and home health aides are all women dominated workforces (at least 60%) and these workforces are being especially taxed right now. Specifically, Women 75% of hospital workers, 88% of psychiatric, nursing and home health aids, 66% of cashiers and retail sales people in grocery stores, and 63% of fast food and counter workers. Not only are these low paying, but jobs in the food service and home care industries are particularly likely to lack employer or union-based health insurance; less than half of women working as personal care aides (41 percent) or combined food preparation and serving workers (49 percent), and just 56 percent of women who are home health aides, have health care coverage through their employer or a union. ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

3 days ago

Cecile Scoon, president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, spoke to 19th News on the state of voting rights in Florida. Read the piece: Florida’s redistricting fight continues. The head of the state League of Women Voters talks about what’s at stake.19thnews.org/2022/04/florida-redistricting-2022-cecile-scoon-voting-rights/ ... See MoreSee Less

Florida’s redistricting fight continues. The head of the state League of Women Voters talks about what’s at stake.

19thnews.org

Cecile Scoon, the first Black woman to serve as president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, spoke with The 19th about a recent voting rights victory and efforts to bring in new members as lawm...

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League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

5 days ago

With primaries in full swing, it's up to us to make sure everyone has the information and ability to cast their vote! Here are five ways you can empower voters and defend democracy through volunteer work. www.lwv.org/blog/5-ways-volunteer-voting-rights ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Tompkins County

1 week ago

Violence Against WomenDuring times of crisis, violence against women escalates and many women may now be quarantined home with abusers. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline via text or call at 1-800-799-7233. In addition, we urge the Senate to reauthorize the Violence against Women Act. ... See MoreSee Less

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