Events

In 1920, after a 72-year struggle, and when passage of the 19th amendment appeared to be imminent, members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association met to form the League of Women Voters. Carrie Chapman Catt first proposed the creation of a League to “finish the fight” and to work to end all discrimination against women. While initially concerned with the status and rights of women, the League of Women Voters gradually expanded its interests to include issues affecting the whole community. Today, the League works to effect change on a wide variety of issues including health care, education, climate change, land use, and election and campaign finance reform.

Tuesday, February 16
10:00 AM

League Office
1620 18th Ave, Suite 101
Seattle

Topic: Sound Transit and Light Rail

Our members are from King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Please come and join our discussion about this regional issue with one of the people working for the Transit Agencies.

Wednesday, February 24
7:00 PM

League Office
1620 18th Ave, Suite 101
Seattle

The Immigration Committee will be meeting to make plans for 2010. We expect that Congress will be taking up Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) this session, so there will be much for us to do. As you know, the League has national and local positions on immigration. We should be ready to act on them.

We are eager to add to our committee numbers, so all who are interested, please join us. We will likely rotate between day and night meetings in order to accommodate everyone. For further information, contact Barbara Reid or Barbara Yasui through the League office at (206) 329-4848.

Saturday, February 27
9:00 AM

909 E. Newton St., D-9
Seattle

For more information, contact Nora Leech through the League office at (206) 329-4848.

Monday, March 1
12:45–2:45 PM

League Office
1620 18th Ave, Suite 101
Seattle

Anyone interested in participating is welcome. Any last minute tasks relative to our Women & Climate Change forum will be handled with dispatch! For discussion, everyone is invited to bring one article on an I-R topic which has recently caught your attention. For more information, email Ellen Berg or Peggy Saari.

Thursday, March 4
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

The Westin Hotel
1900 5th Ave, Seattle

Tickets: $50; purchase online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/91307 or call 800-838-3006.

This event is part of a series called Opening Doors for Women and Girls, presented by the University of Washington’s Women’s Center. It will feature a conversation with Lilly Ledbetter, whose long struggle for equity in the workplace led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, signed into law by President Obama in January, 2009.

Thursday, March 4
7:30 PM

Town Hall
1119 8th Ave. (at Seneca Street)
Seattle, WA

The International Relations Committee is planning this forum, which will focus on women around the world, the challenges climate change presents to the poorest of them, and action we can take to help change that. Climate change hits women in poor countries especially hard – as they plant and grow food, collect water and gather firewood, and nurture their children. The goals of the forum are to better understand the effects of climate change on these women, to connect the dots between our lives and theirs, and to explore the action we can take here that will improve their lives there. Opportunities for action will begin at the forum. As usual, admission will be free. We hope you will put this date on your calendar now – and join us then!

Saturday, March 6
March at noon from Powell Barnett Park
Martin Luther King Way S. & E. Alder St, Seattle

Rally at 2:00 PM at Occidental Park
S Washington St & Occidental Ave S, Seattle

The World March of Women 2010 calls for women of all nations to raise our voices together and demand an end to militarization, violence against women, and poverty. Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Declaration of International Women's Day! For more info call 206-722-0729 or email inter.womensday2010@gmail.com

Monday, March 8
7:00 to 9:00 PM

POCAAN
1609 19th Ave., Seattle

Saturday, March 13
1:00 to 3:00 PM

League Office
1620 18th Ave, Suite 101
Seattle

Monday, March 15
12:00 PM

League Office
1620 18th Ave, Suite 101
Seattle

The Education Committee will continue its research into the different aspects of teacher quality. In February, we heard about teacher preparation. At this meeting, Jennifer Wallace, the Executive Director of the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) will talk to us about its role in teacher preparation and certification. Here is a quick summary of its stated purpose:

The PESB was created in 2000 as primarily an advisory board to the Governor, Legislature, State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction on the full range of policy issues related to certified education professionals, including teachers, principals, superintendents and educational staff associates. In addition, the PESB was charged with creating alternative routes to teacher certification and administering new basic skills and subject knowledge assessments for teacher certification. Five years later, Governor Gregoire signed into law ESSB 5732, which gave the PESB responsibility and authority for policy and oversight of Washington's system of educator preparation, certification, continuing education and assignment.

It should be an interesting discussion and all members are welcome. Please contact committee chair Lucy Gaskill-Gaddis through the League office at (206) 329-4848 if you'd like more information or have questions.

Tuesday, March 16
10:00 AM

League Office
1620 18th Ave, Suite 101
Seattle

Please come with questions or issues of interest and join our discussions with one of the many experts on transportation projects, planning, problems and successes in the region.

The King Conservation District, an agency promoting sustainable use of natural resources, will hold a public election for an open position on its board of supervisors on March 16, 2010. All registered voters in King County are eligible to vote (except residents of Enumclaw, Federal Way, Milton, Pacific and Skykomish). In Seattle, the polling location is at the Seattle Public Library (downtown Main Branch) at 1000 Fourth Ave. Poll hours are 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM. For north and east King County, the polling places are the Shoreline, Bellevue Regional and Carnation branches of the King County Library.

As part of a statewide look at Conservation Districts, the King County South League is putting together some additional information. As soon as it is available we will post it on the website. The following is from the District’s website, www.kingcd.org:

The King Conservation District (KCD) is a natural resources assistance agency authorized by Washington State and guided by the Washington State Conservation Commission. Our mission is to promote the sustainable use of natural resources through responsible stewardship. A five-member Board of Supervisors is responsible for all District programs and activities. We educate landowners, schools, scientists, consultants and agencies in how to recognize problem situations and how to avoid creating them. We also provide technical assistance in solving their problems. We promote conservation through demonstration projects, educational events, providing technical assistance and, in some cases, providing or pointing the way to funds which may be available for projects. The KCD has no regulatory or enforcement authority. We only work with those who choose to work with us. All landowners within the District boundaries are entitled to free information and technical assistance for water quality protection, wildlife habitat enhancement, farm management plans, soil and slope stability information, native plant products, manure exchange information, volunteer opportunities, stream restoration/enhancement assistance and many other natural resource topics.