LWV-Wake Update 3/17/2025 | Welcome back to your exclusive, bi-monthly newsletter of the League of Women Voters of Wake County. If someone forwarded this to you and you'd like to become a member, just click here.
|  | Dear ~~first_name~~,
MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH. The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The theme for Women's History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”
President Jimmy Carter started Women’s History Celebration by designating March 2-8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week “From first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
Please see below two events where LWV-Wake celebrates Women’s History Month. Both of these events are on the LWV-Wake Calendar.
First, our March Timely Topics: Current Status of the ERA – is today, March 17 from noon -1:30 p.m. at the Highland United Methodist Church, discussing the current status of the Equal Rights Amendment.
Also today, 1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., the Wake County Board of Commissioners will present the 2025 Wake County Women’s History Month Proclamation to the League of Women Voters of Wake County.
LWVNC Convention – May 2-4, 2025 - Registration is now open for the LWVNC 39th Biennial Convention at the Durham Marriott City Center! Since the convention is in Durham it may not be necessary for you to stay overnight in the hotel. LWV-Wake may have up to 10 registrants who may be voting delegates. Please contact Helen if you wish to attend as a delegate. Secure your spot using this form to register.
Early Bird Rate: $50 (through March 28)
Regular Rate: $75
Hotel Rate: $209/night (group rate)
Reserve a hotel room using this link.
An integral part of the LWV-Wake Strategic plan is to strengthen our Board of Directors through proper succession planning. To this end, we are very excited to announce that GAYE WILLIAMS has been appointed as our BOARD OF DIRECTORS VICE-PRESIDENT.
As you will see from the notice below, Gaye brings with her professional experience in Human Relations and Planning; volunteer experience in LWV-Wake Activities, and a will toward volunteering shown in The Red Cross - Hurricane Helene support and LWVNC Citizens Initiative. We are very fortunate to add Gaye to our Board. Please welcome Gaye Williams.
In Service
Helen Zimmerman
|  | Meet Gaye Williams, LWV-Wake's New Vice President
Gaye Williams (she/her) is a child of the South. Originally from South Carolina, she grew up in South Florida, attended college and graduate school in Louisiana and Texas, and had a long career in Atlanta with a brief stint in Fort Worth before landing in North Carolina where she has deep family ties. Moving to Apex in 2013, Gaye joined LWV-Wake in 2020, looking for an opportunity for deeper community involvement. She has been a Voter Services volunteer for the last two years and is part of the LWV-Wake Vote 411 team. Over the last few years, Redistricting has been her greatest area of interest. In 2024, Gaye began serving as the Redistricting Liaison for LWVNC. She also serves as co-lead for the LWVNC Citizen Initiative Study Team, looking at the potential for a LWVNC position on Citizen Initiative.
Recently retired from Cisco Systems, Inc., Gaye’s professional career focused on Human Resources, with the last 10 years in HR for Mergers & Acquisitions. Most recently, Gaye led Cisco's Global Human Resources Mergers & Acquisitions team.
In addition to volunteering with LWV-Wake Voter Services and representing LWVNC with partner groups focused on Redistricting, Gaye’s community involvement includes working as an Election Official, serving on the Transportation Advisory Board for the town of Apex, and deploying in October 2024 as a Red Cross volunteer to assist with the support of Western North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. | | |  | Membership Potluck Saturday, March 22
LWV-Wake's Membership Committee invites our members to a potluck brunch on Saturday, March 22 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Our host will provide the entree and you can bring your brunch specialty and enjoy a lovely get together! Take advantage of this chance to get acquainted in a member's home, with stimulating conversation and good food. Any member may attend. It's a great way to connect and learn what has drawn others to join, especially if you're new.
After you register, you'll receive an email with the host's name and address, the entree she is providing, and suggestions for what you might bring!
Register soon! Our host will let you know if you have a seat, or if you're on the waiting list.
|  | | League 101 - Wednesday, March 26
Come learn about League structure, our history, and how you can get the most from your membership on Wednesday, March 26, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. League Membership Committee members Celeste Stanley and Judee Lonnee look forward to guiding you through an interactive session with time for mingling.
This is a great opportunity for new and new-ish members to learn more about the League, make new friends and find out how to get more involved.
|  | Member Social Wednesday, April 2
Join members of the LWV-Wake Membership Committee and meet new members during our April Member Social on Wednesday, April 2. Feel free to drop in anytime between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Garden Bar serves a selection of beer, wine and mimosas.
Registration is not required, however if you register, you will receive reminder emails.
| | |
LWV-WAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT | Raleigh Planning: Branching Out
Trees are a vital part of Raleigh’s charm and identity. They provide shade, clean the air, and enhance our quality of life. As our city grows, preserving the tree canopy will help keep Raleigh healthy, vibrant, and sustainable.
Raleigh residents are invited to participate in our upcoming Community Conversation Branching Out: Trees and Urban Ecosystems on March 18th.
The event on March 18th will start with presentations from city staff and urban forestry experts. It will conclude with interactive tabletop discussions where you can share your ideas and priorities for the future of Raleigh’s natural landscape.
The input we collected during these events will help shape the vision, goals, and policies in Raleigh’s Next Comprehensive Plan. Register here to attend.
| March Timely Topics: Current Status of the ERA
The Women’s Rights Committee of LWV of Wake County invites everyone to our Timely Topics event on Monday, March 17 from Noon -1:30 p.m. at the Highland United Methodist Church to discuss the current status of the Equal Rights Amendment.
We will cover the importance of adding this to the constitution of the state of NC, the current status here and nationally, and how to advocate for its passage.
This event is open to the public. Please bring your own lunch (and guests!) to this event.
REGISTER HERE
|  | April Timely Topics: The Effects of Plastics on Human Health
Join us as our Environment Committee host's Timely Topics on Tuesday, April 22 from Noon -1:30 p.m. at Highland United Methodist Church.
Guest speakers will present, "Plasticized! The Plastics in Our Bodies and Their Effect on Our Health." This event is open to the public.
Mindful Merchant will also be there and have plastic alternative wares available for purchase.
Bring your own lunch. Light refreshments will be served.
|  | Timely Topics 2025-2026 Planning Meeting
All Committee Co-Chairs, League Leaders, and interested League members are invited to register for the first planning meeting for the new year’s monthly Timely Topics sessions. The meeting will be in the League office Tuesday, July 15 10:00 a.m. - noon.
Annette Green will be leading the charge for the year as TT Chair and asks that everyone register for the session. Bring ideas to the session for topics and speakers that would be of interest to League members and their guests.
Next year is just around the calendar’s corner so let’s begin planning!
| | Women's History Month Proclamation
Monday, March 17
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The NC Wake County Board of Commissioners will issue a 2025 Wake County Women’s History Month Proclamation and present it to the League of Women Voters of Wake County.
Please click the button below for more information and to register to attend this event.
| | |  | NCGA Field Trip & Advocacy Day
Join LWV-Wake on Tuesday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. as we tour the NC General Assembly and and Legislative Office Building. Learn how to locate and observe committee meetings, and how to locate your elected representative's office. We will also meet with NCGA Wake delegates to discuss current bills and learn how we can best advocate for pro-democracy bills.
The field trip is limited to 15 members. Members are invited to have lunch as a group at Sitti Lebanese restaurant after visiting the NCGA. Click on the button below for more information and to register. Remember to log into the website to ensure you are recognized as a member.
| LWV-WAKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING |  | Advocate for Affordable Housing
Here are two things you can do this week to advocate for affordable housing in Wake County:
1. Call your senators and members of Congress and tell them that the cuts to HUD of people and funds, particularly from the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and the Office of Community Planning and Development, will negatively impact your constituents. Because of these cuts, North Carolina citizens are going to lose their homes. The problem is not fraud, waste and abuse; the problem is that there are not now, and never have been, enough resources to provide housing assistance for the homeless and marginalized communities in our area.
2. Consider participating in State and Local Lobby Days sponsored by Wake County Habitat for Humanity and the North Carolina Housing Coalition.
Here is the advocacy link for more information. Or contact Blair Usedome at Blair.Usedome@habitatwake.org to sign up for this important work.
Then participate in the training on Saturday, March 22 and the lobby days in your community on April 8, 9 and 10. Meetings will be scheduled with elected officials in all Wake County municipalities as well as at the North Carolina General Assembly."
Support housing initiatives by attending the 2025 Housing Day at the NC General Assembly Wednesday, April 9. Click below for more information.
|  | Empowering NC Voters: Citizen Initiative on the Agenda for LWVNC Convention
Exciting news! The LWVNC Citizen Initiative (CI) Study Team has recommended that we concur with LWV-Alabama’s position on Citizen Initiative (CI). The LWVNC Program Committee and Board have approved adding it to the agenda for the LWVNC Convention, May 2-4 in Durham.
What’s CI? It’s a powerful tool that allows citizens to collect voter signatures to place a law or amendment directly on the ballot—bypassing legislative gridlock. Nearly half the states already have CI, but North Carolina doesn’t… yet.
Why does this matter? When legislatures fail to act, voters step up. No state has ever repealed CI, and it's been used to:
✔️ Reform redistricting
✔️ Introduce ranked-choice voting
✔️ Protect abortion rights
✔️ Raise the minimum wage
The proposed CI position includes strong safeguards to ensure fairness and transparency, such as:
🔹One subject per proposal
🔹Limits on how many Initiatives can appear on a ballot
🔹A clear, public process for proposal submission
🔹Statewide petition collection—by voters, for voters
Our statewide study in 2024 showed overwhelming LWVNC member support for CI. Want to learn more before the convention? Join one of our virtual briefings:
Monday, March 17, 7:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. – Register
Thursday, April 17, 7:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. – Register
Can't make a briefing? Review study resources here and visit the Citizen Initiative webpage here.
Let’s bring the power of direct democracy to North Carolina!
– Submitted by Jennifer Bremer, Ellen Reckhow, and Gaye Williams, Citizen Initiative study team leaders | LWVNC Legislative Update
LWVNC is watching carefully for movement on voter suppression bills in the NCGA and waiting for a ruling from the NC Court of Appeals on the Griffin Challenges.
LWVNC and LWVUS are following national legislation regarding the SAVE Act that would make it harder for all citizens to register to vote. It is already required in North Carolina to show a valid ID when casting a ballot. Voters would need to meet more onerous identification requirements with the SAVE Act, such as citizenship documentation (possibly birth certificates) to register to vote.
It is important to contact your elected officials and ask them to oppose the SAVE Act. Click here to easily complete this action through a portal from LWVUS.
| LWV-WAKE COMMUNICATION CONTACTS | Your LWV-Communications Team
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Thank you for continuing to support the League of Women Voters of Wake County.
Sincerely,
Helen Zimmerman
President | | The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. | |