Greetings and happy new year! I hope you and your families are all in good health.
Once again, it seems that our work is cut out for us in 2022. We have many challenges to face: voter suppression, an uninformed public, rampant mis- and disinformation, a growing distrust of our government institutions and leaders, a climate crisis, a housing shortage, criminal justice reform, and two get out the vote campaigns to launch. But never fear—the League is here to lead the charge!
We kicked off 2022 at our Annual Planning Meeting on January 20, where many of you wrestled with competing priorities for Education and Advocacy for 2022–23. Those present also identified new recommendations to the U.S. League for inclusion in our national priorities. Read more about their work in the article “The League Looks Ahead: Program Planning for 2022–2023” in this issue of the Voter.
Democracy was dealt another blow on January 19, when the Senate failed to pass federal legislation that would protect our freedom to vote. I didn’t realize how much I was hoping for a positive outcome (although I knew better) until I experienced so much dismay and anger. But you know what they say: Don’t get mad, get equity. This fight, like many others, is not over. The women’s suffrage movement that culminated 102 years ago this February took decades to achieve. Passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act took decades. During the course of those decades women and men fought on. So, we can honor their sacrifices to get fair elections by carrying on for another few weeks, months, and years, right? We have made strides over the decades, and let us hope we are getting closer to true equity. What we do know is that we must continue the fight.
This month we celebrate National Black History Month, commemorating the achievements of African Americans and recognizing the central role of Black Americans in our history. February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and noted civil rights advocate Frederick Douglass. It is fitting that when the League celebrates women’s suffrage, we remember that Douglass and many other former enslaved people walked in solidarity with white women to get the vote. They didn’t walk alone then, and we won’t walk alone now!
This year I am making a personal commitment to seek out closer partnerships with like-minded groups in order to help raise our voices until we’re heard. Many of our partners that work in the social justice, immigration, and climate action spaces have deep roots in our communities, and we need to combine forces to extend our reach so we can make democracy work for all of us. If any of you know of organizations that march in our direction, please drop me a line. We want to start engaging the communities we serve to offer factual information and opportunities for civic engagement. Right now, we’re singing to the choir. Our partners can help spread the word about our programs and voter education campaigns. See the Voter Services section of the Grapevine to learn how you can help educate the public about their role in government.
We’re facing a very exciting year with many opportunities to “pay it forward,” so let’s get cracking. And don’t forget to sign up for our February 3 League @ Nite event!
Yours in solidarity,
—Martha Y. Zavala
