"Ten Minutes is better than Zero" Member Spotlight: Donna

“Ten minutes could be a phone call, a postcard etc. We can all do something--big or small. All of those ‘somethings’ can have a big impact on what happens in the future.”

Member Spotlight Donna

Donna is a native Canadian and a biostatistician working on cancer research. Having grown up with universal healthcare and now working in medical research, she thinks America’s healthcare system could take a page from Canada’s book.

After being a member of the support team for the Hillary Clinton-KY headquarters in Louisville, Donna joined TWW Louisville when we were still Pantsuit Nation, and even went to vote in a pantsuit. Like the rest of us, she was devastated by the election results, and decided she needed to be more active.

Donna is part of a fitness group which has the mantra “ten minutes is better than zero”. She likes to apply that to activism as well. “Ten minutes could be a phone call, a postcard etc. We can all do something--big or small. All of those ‘somethings’ can have a big impact on what happens in the future.”

From distributing hand knit hats for the Women’s March, to lending the seed money for TWW’s most successful fundraiser, to helping organize Data Parties for the Louisville Democrats, Donna has been a leader. She really shines in organizing introverts and has collected a squad of shy folks which meets at her home to write postcards to voters. This squad has written thousands of postcards encouraging people to vote for Democratic candidates all over the country. Next on their agenda is focusing on local candidates.

Participants in Donna’s postcard parties can expect excellent company, good food and drinks, and a huge sense of accomplishment. Sometimes there are even party favors! If you would like to join a squad of amazing people saving democracy one postcard at a time, message TWW and we will get you connected to Donna. And if postcards aren’t your thing, you can do something different, as long as you do something. Ten minutes is better than zero. 

Candidate Spotlight: Josie Raymond - Democratic Candidate for State Representative District 31

Candidate Spotlight 

Josie Raymond  

Democratic Candidate for State Representative District 31

About Josie:

District 31 includes Hikes Point and Jeffersontown in Louisville. Josie is running to succeed Rep. Steve Riggs, who has held the seat since he was elected in 1990. She has dedicated her career to creating opportunities, particularly pathways to education, for people in poverty. In her current role in Student Success at the University of Louisville, Josie is responsible for making sure thousands of students have the best shot at graduating. 

Q: Why are you running?

I grew up here in District 31 in a family that sometimes struggled, but we got a ton of support - from family, community, and the government. I'm running now because I've dedicated my career to poor people and anti-poverty work and I see the supports that took me from free lunch to the Ivy League under attack and the people who rely on them demeaned, and I don't see enough legislators standing up to fight it.

Q: What is the most important topic/issue to you personally?

Here's what amounts to basic human decency and makes economic sense: invest in people. As an educator, and with a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, I know the value of quality early childhood options. Doing anti-poverty work, I know that universal pre-K in Kentucky would be an effective two- and three-generation approach to poverty that creates jobs and allows parents to study and work while their children get prepared for kindergarten. 

Q: With everything that has been going on locally and, in our nation,, how would you encourage people, especially in your district, to stay positive and to not give up?

I knock on doors a few days a week, and it has amazed me how open people are. When someone shares her concerns, I often tell her, "You are not alone" and watch her visibly exhale. This is the year we band together - women, parents, young people, LGBT people, people of color, educators, laborers, immigrants - and say, we have worked too hard for too long to get what we've got, and we will not go backward. This is going to be a good year.

For more information about Josie Raymond, please visit her website: www.josieraymond.com

Candidate Spotlight: Dr. Karen Berg - Democratic Candidate for State Senate District 26

Candidate Spotlight

Dr. Karen Berg

  Democratic Candidate for State Senate District 26

About Karen:

Dr. Karen Berg has been a physician in Louisville for 31 years.   In 2017, Dr. Berg semi-retired from practicing diagnostic radiology and decided to focus on running for public office. She believes that people of good will and integrity should step up and make change in Frankfort, and she will be a powerful voice for change in the Commonwealth. She believes that all people deserve access to affordable healthcare, high-quality education, and fairness.

Q: What goals do you hope to accomplish either if you are elected?

I have several goals in mind that I believe will move Kentucky forward:

I am committed to exploring new revenue-generating options, such as legalizing marijuana and expanded gaming, to fully fund our pension deficit, support our teachers and public employees, and improve access to high quality public education in Kentucky.  

I want to provide affordable, quality healthcare to all citizens.  This includes protecting the Medicaid expansion that occurred under Gov. Beshear.  

I believe we should institute a statewide Fairness ordinance to ensure that all Kentucky residents are treated equally under the law and to help attract new business to our state.

I support common-sense gun legislation, including expanded background checks, required licensing and registration for all firearms, and mandatory waiting periods.

Q: Why should Kentuckians vote for you over your opponent?

My opponent is a 23-year Republican incumbent who has an A rating from the NRA, did not support our teachers in the last legislative session, supports dismantling the Medicaid expansion, strongly opposes a woman’s right to choose, and has voted against expanded gaming.  He has also refused on several occasions to meet with his LGBTQ constituents and our state’s teachers.  I plan to replace him in November.

Q: The federal judge recently ruled that Kentucky cannot require certain Medicaid recipients to get jobs or lose their benefits. There is talk that the governor will eliminate Medicaid expansion. If you had your way, what would Kentucky's future healthcare/Medicaid program look like?

The Medicaid expansion that occurred under Gov. Beshear is one of the most positive, progressive steps that Kentucky has taken in recent history.  As a practicing physician for over 30 years, I have seen the tremendous positive impact that the Medicaid expansion has brought to the people of the Commonwealth.  All citizens have the right to affordable healthcare.

Q: Why are you running?

Our democracy is in danger.  People of good will need to stand up and become voices for positive, progressive change in our Commonwealth.  I will be that voice.

For more information about Dr. Karen Berg, please visit her website: www.karenforkentucky.com

Candidate Spotlight: Tina Bojanowski - Democratic Candidate for State Representative District 32

Candidate Spotlight

Tina Bojanowski

Democratic Candidate for State Representative District 32

About Tina:

“Tina Bojanowski is a proud Mom of three children, including Brandon, who was diagnosed with autism at age two. Providing the medical care for Brandon was a tremendous struggle for Tina and her family. Today, while Brandon is thriving, Tina’s experience shaped her belief that the government and private sector must work together to ensure that everyone can access affordable health care. Tina Bojanowski is a certified special education teacher who works with students who have learning and behavioral disorders such as autism. A fierce advocate for her students and their families, she ensures parents have the information and resources they need to raise their kids.  She sits on the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County Teachers Association as well as on the Board of the National Alliance for Mental Illness Kentucky.  Her passion for advocacy has extended from the classroom into the community.”

Q: Why are you running?

I am running to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and considered in Frankfort.  I’m gravely concerned about the impact of outside interests on our Commonwealth, as well as with the process being used to push through legislation without granting sufficient time for the public to consider the legislation – and not even allowing the legislators to read the legislation before being forced to vote on it!

Q: What is the most important topic/issue to you personally?

The most important topic for me personally is education.  I believe that a strong public education is the foundation of our society.  The issue that brought me to state-level politics is the emphasis on high-stakes standardized testing.  I envision a revamped Kentucky Education Reform Act to ensure that our children are offered the best education possible.  The main issue is that what is measured is what matters.  However, when we focus on test scores, we are not considering the whole child.  Our most at-risk students come to school with significant issues, including trauma, mental health issues, and the impact of living in poverty.  I plan to support research-based legislation to meet the needs of every child in our Commonwealth.

Q: What neighborhood do you live in? What are your favorite places or things to do in your town?

I have lived in District 32 for most of my life.  I grew up on Cardwell Way off of Taylorsville Rd. and I now live in St. Matthews.  I enjoy exercising in Brown Park and (when I’m not in the middle of running a campaign) biking along the waterfront.

Q: With everything that has been going on locally and in our nation, how would you encourage people, especially in your district, to stay positive and to not give up?

I think about this question on a daily basis.  For me, the most relevant aspect of staying positive is to stay involved.  I encourage others to volunteer for a campaign.  That could include canvassing, donating, or simply sharing information on social media.  Most importantly, vote!  Two years ago, I could not have told you who my State Representative was.  Today, I sometimes worry that I’m too tuned in as it can be incredibly frustrating to see how some politicians govern on both a state and federal level.  I find that I often wonder if I should just leave the country, but I am making an intentional choice to fight for our democracy.  My part of that fight is to win this seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives.  As John Yarmuth frequently states, it is at the state level that we will reclaim our country.

For more information about Tina Bojanowski, please visit her website: www.tinaforkentucky.com/

Member Spotlight--Lori

Member Spotlight: Lori

Lori moved to Louisville four years ago from Phoenix, which has a vote by mail system. Being accustomed to easy voting and high voter turnout, she was surprised at how voting works in Kentucky. After the 2016 election, she decided to do something about the low voter turnout in this state.

Lori started a MeetUp.com group called Liberals Over 50, and also checked out other local and national groups. She discovered Together We Will: Louisville through our Voter Registration Training. Along with some other members of her MeetUp Group, Lori attended our training and joined our Voter Registration Working Group. Soon she stepped up to help organize volunteer opportunities for the group, and also went out registering voters every weekend this spring. She recently became Outreach Coordinator for the Louisville Democratic Party and will be organizing their voter registration efforts. As an introvert, she has had to go outside of her comfort zone for her activism, but as a result, she says, “I’ve come out of my shell”.

Lori also volunteers for a state House candidate, managing the candidate's Twitter account. “Twitter is my outlet,” she said. She handles all of her activism and a full time paralegal job by taking time off from social media occasionally, and going to the movies or the pool when she gets too stressed out. She’s in this for the long term because, “after the November election, it’s Bevin’s and then Trump’s.”

Her advice for new activists is “Be patient, be persistent. We’re all learning.” Also, it’s important to “take initiative—no one else is going to do it, you have to do it!” 

Immigrant children separated from their parents - "Missing children" What's really going on?

There are many articles and much misinformation circulating about the children and families being detained at the border by ICE. Let’s take a minute and discuss the facts and find out how you can help.

Here's what we know.

Children are being separated from their parents.

Early in April, Attorney General Jeff Sessions began a “zero tolerance” policy aimed at migrants crossing the border illegally and called for every undocumented immigrant to be charged with a crime. When undocumented immigrants are caught crossing the border, they are taken to a federal court, and then on to detention centers to await trial. Their children are taken from them and put into the custody of the Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (HHS/ORR).

A Customs and Border Protection official told lawmakers last week that 658 children had been separated from their parents at the border from May 6 to May 19, 2018 as the parents face charges. That’s in addition to hundreds more who were estimated to have been removed from their parents since October.

Parents will face trial and, if found guilty, could spend six months to two years in prison until they are deported. What is unclear is if these children will be reunited with their parents prior to deportation or if they remain with their sponsors until they are possibly deported.

Unaccompanied minors and minors taken away from their parents have no right to an attorney in the U.S. if they are undocumented. That means that a four-year-old would have to make their own case for asylum. Because of this new policy, we are ruining any chances these children may have to seek asylum in this country. That's probably what the Trump administration wants, but it’s not right and all asylum seekers need a fair chance at being heard in court. One Woman's story - her sons are 4 and 10 years-old.

Children lost by the Department of Health and Human Services

There are reports that the federal government has lost 1,500 children. This has understandably sparked quite a bit of outrage. What we now know is that these children are not all “lost." The Department of Health and Human Services began making calls to locate over 7,000 migrant children from October to December of 2017. Of those children, over 6,000 were still with their sponsors, some had run away, and some had relocated to live with a non-sponsor. There were 1,475 cases where HHS made just one phone call, and the sponsors did not answer.  These children were not followed up on, and many of these sponsors and children do not want to be found because of deportation concerns.  

Here is an article that breaks it down

How did this get so confusing?

What you can do:

Reach out to your elected officials. Let them know that this is an important issue to you and children should not be separated from their families. Fleeing violence, drug cartels and gangs in their native country should not be a crime. Democrats and Republicans alike are coming out against this new policy. “It’s never a good idea to separate small children from their parents,” Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) said earlier this week. “I cannot defend that, nor do I wish to.”

Simply say, “I am outraged by how our government is treating children at the border. What is my Senator/Rep doing about this?” 

• Do some research about how immigration works and understand the laws that are currently in place. https://www.informedimmigrant.com/#

• Support local immigration and charity services that help support migrants and their families. A list of local services are on this link: Kentucky Immigrants and Refugees 

• Vote! Every single vote counts. Start with your local representatives. Research and learn their stance on immigration policies and read their statements regarding the current immigration crisis. Let’s start electing candidates who have a heart and compassion. The way we can make a difference on the federal level is to start locally.

• Speak out. Use your voice on your social media. Share *reliable* articles that are offering the facts (TWW has a great blog post on how to weed out the fake articles from the real ones - HERE). If you like to write, write letters and postcards to your representatives, either opposing their views and votes regarding immigration or write and show your support to candidates who share your views. Find a local postcard party group and join in. Meet great like-minded people, have some fun and write for change.

• Keep an eye out for any local activity, such as marches or rallies regarding immigration. Make signs and show up. Voices carry in large crowds and the more people that show up in support of the children, the more changes are likely to be made. Attend events that support the integration of immigrants into the community such as this upcoming event: Global-Local Summit: A Community Discussion on Integration

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has recommended guidelines for human rights at international borders which you can read here. The reported actions our DHS is taking do not comply with these guidelines. You can contact the UN Office for Human Rights here

The ACLU is gathering signatures to petition Kevin K. McAleenan, Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection to stop the government from abusing immigrant children. You can find the petition here.

Amnesty International has been calling for an end to the U.S. policy of separating children at the border. Their call to action can be found at the end of this post here

Kentucky Immigrants and Refugees - local background

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
– Emma Lazarus, As seen on the Statue of Liberty

Immigrants and refugees are our neighbors, friends, teachers and co-workers. 

Refugees in Kentucky
link above

Refugees come from Cuba, Congo, Somalia, Iraq, Syria and more

72% were resettled in Louisville

Kentucky refugee resettlement program is managed by a nonprofit instead of the state government. The Kentucky Office for Refugees (KOR) serves as the state refugee coordinator’s office and administers federal funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement for post-arrival services. This department is located within Catholic Charities of Louisville.

Immigrants in Kentucky

link above

Nearly 4 percent of Kentucky residents are immigrants, while nearly 3 percent are native-born U.S. citizens who have at least one immigrant parent.

• In 2015, 157,336 immigrants (foreign-born individuals) comprised 3.6 percent of the state’s population.
• Kentucky was home to 68,802 women, 70,300 men, and 18,234 children who were immigrants.
• The top countries of origin for immigrants were Mexico (19.2 percent of immigrants), India (6.9 percent), Cuba (5.1 percent), China (4.5 percent), and Guatemala (3.7 percent).
• In 2016, 115,969 people in Kentucky (2.7 percent of the state’s population) were native-born Americans who had at least one immigrant parent.

More than a third of immigrants in Kentucky are naturalized U.S. citizens.

• 58,196 immigrants (37 percent) had naturalized as of 2015, and 36,841 immigrants were eligible to become naturalized U.S. citizens in 2015.
• More than three-quarters of immigrants (78.2 percent) reported speaking English “well” or “very well.”

Immigrants in Kentucky are concentrated at both ends of the educational spectrum.

• More than a third of all adult immigrants had a college degree or more education in 2015, while one-quarter had less than a high school diploma. 

How Can You Help?

Below are some local resources that will allow you to volunteer, donate and/or advocate.

Are you, or do you know a Kentucky immigrant who needs an advocate?  

• Kentucky - Immigration Advocates and Legal Services
• Louisville Immigration and Legal Services

To volunteer, check out local agency web sites below or go to Volunteer Match. To donate, go to the agency’s website and click on the donation tab or button.

	Catholic Charities of Louisville is part of the largest, private human services network in the United States, serving people of all religious, ethnic, social and economic backgrounds. Through the Kentucky Office for Refugees (KOR) provides leadership; policy guidance and advocacy on specific issues affecting refugee resettlement. Migration Refuges Services (MRS) equips refugees with the support and assistance they need in order to become self-sufficient through services such as English, cultural and work orientation.
	Kentucky Refugee Ministries is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees. They work with the refugees to help promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community.
	Americana Community Center is a non-profit organization, which provides a spectrum of services for the many diverse residents of Metro Louisville.  These services enable people to discover and utilize resources to build strong families, create a safe, supportive community, and realize their individual potential.
	La Casita Center enhances the well-being of Louisville's Latino community through education, empowerment, advocacy, and wellness. La Casita Center works intentionally to build a thriving community based on mutual support and respect.
	Global Louisville Action Plan works to enhance Multi-Culturalism. They assists in connecting immigrants and refugees to governmental and non-governmental resources.