We take action to defend democracy!
Actions for the week of 8.25.2025
Please share this with your friends.
Send your ideas for action items to: cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com
We rely on your input for these items!
These are just suggestions of actions you could take as an individual. If you are a League member, always remember to express your personal views, and not to speak on behalf of the League.Only League Presidents or designees can speak on behalf of the League.
Local-Level Actions
ACTION 1: LWVOP MEMBERS ONLY!
Women’s Equality Day, Tue, Aug 26, 6–8 pm, The Ballenger House, 212 E South 3rd St. Seneca
cbishopmcleod [at] ftc-i.net (subject: Women%27s%20Equality%20Day%20RSVP, body: I%20will%20attend.) (RSVP to Carolyn) at cbishopmcleod [at] ftc-i.net
ACTION 2: ATTEND Workers Over Billionaires Rally
Monday Sept. 1, 12-2 pm, Unity Park, Greenville, SC
Volunteer organized for May Day Strong: “Labor and community are planning more than a barbecue on Labor Day this year because we have to stop the billionaire takeover. Billionaires are converting the government into their private slush fund and just passed the largest wealth giveaway in the history of the US. The money they take from working families, they put in billionaires’ pockets and set aside to fund a private army of ICE agents.” Find more information on the Workers Over Billionaires Rally.
Action 3: Holding Power ACCOUNTABLE From LWVUS
Here are some suggestions from the second Unite and Rise Playbook. These activities help make the League more visible, engage new volunteers, and deepen connections in our communities. Together, our small acts of leadership keep our democracy strong!
Daily Democracy Practice: Take daily nonviolent action to hold power accountable
- Ask one friend or family member to volunteer with you at the next League event.
- Create a list of 5 people aligned with League values and personally invite them to a meeting.
- Pair up with a newer member and guide them through their first volunteer experience.
- Host a coffee chat or Zoom meeting to introduce potential volunteers to the League.
- Take photos at League events and tag participants (with permission) to amplify engagement
Members can access the playbook through the LWV League Management Site for more specifics.
ACTION 4: ATTEND meetings of your local government and stay informed on local issues.
LWVOP.org maintains an extensive calendar of local public meetings.
- Monday, August 25: Pickens City Council Work Session, 219 Pendleton St, Pickens, SC 29671 at 6 pm. For more information, choose from the following: Schedule of Meetings, City Council Agendas, City Council Minutes.
- Tuesday, August 25: Pickens County School Board Meeting** at 1348 Griffin Mill Rd, Easley, SC 29640 at 6 pm. Board meetings are livestreamed; to watch, please connect to the SDPC YouTube page. View video of past meetings.
Action 5: Attend a session: The Legislative Process and Public Education
Greenville, Thursday, August 28
Promoted by the Freedom to Read coalition, these one-hour sessions will help attendees understand how state laws affect public education. Each session will cover the legislative process, navigating the SC Legislature website, current bills, and tips for engaging in advocacy. The League of Women Voters of South Carolina is a partnering organization. Learn more at the LWVSC website.
State-Level Actions
ACTION 6: UPDATE on Redistricting in SC
“Expert: South Carolina would face legal battle if it tried to change congressional map . As a South Carolina gubernatorial candidate calls for lawmakers to redraw the Congressional map, one advocacy group said it would be unfair to voters.” See the response from Lynn Teague with the South Carolina League of Women Voters.
Learn more about redistricting from LWVUS.
National-Level Actions
ACTION 7: TELL your congressperson to support free, fair, and accessible elections.
LWV Statement on Mail-in Ballots and Voting Machines: The League of Women Voters CEO, Celina Stewart, Esq., issued the following statement in response to President Trump's vow to eliminate mail-in ballots and voting machines:
“Free, fair, and accessible elections are the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. President Trump’s call to eliminate vote-by-mail is a direct attack on Americans’ freedom to vote.”
“President Trump has no constitutional authority to take this action. Under our US Constitution, the states have the power to run elections, and only Congress can step in to regulate those elections when needed. This move is yet another overreach by an unpopular president who seeks to silence the public to hold onto power.”
ACTION 8: SHARE a post on Facebook with your friends or public. This simple action can reach many people, and takes only minutes to do.
August 26, or Women’s Equality Day, marks the anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment, which granted some women the right to vote. However, women now have fewer rights than we have had in decades, and we are far from equal in our democracy. In the aftermath of the US Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022, we declared this day to be Women’s (In)equality Day, which we'll carry on this year.
Some posts you might want to share are available on the League of Women Voters of South Carolina and League of Women Voters of the US pages.
If you don’t know how to share a post, watch this YouTube video: How to Share a Facebook Post.
ACTION 9: ADVOCATE: Understand the Three Branches of Government
Upcoming Unite and Rise Training: LWVUS Democracy in Your Hands Series
This virtual training series will include five key topics, outlining how Leagues can activate and mobilize their communities in this rapidly changing political environment and make a lasting impact. Members are welcome to attend any of the following sessions, occurring through the summer and early fall. Find the upcoming agenda and more information on each session.
- Jul. 23, 11am ET | Championing Issues That Matter Most to You
- Aug. 20, 12:30pm ET | Understand the Three Branches of Government
- Sept. 17, 11am ET | Working With Local Election Officials to Anchor Change
ACTION 10: SPEAK OUT against the militarization of our cities and suppression of peaceful assembly.
From LWVUS: In response to the President’s deployment of the National Guard and takeover of the city’s police department, LWVUS issued a joint statement with LWV of the District of Columbia. I strongly encourage you to take a moment to support our League in DC. Contact your representatives and demand an immediate oversight hearing. Speak out against the militarization of our cities and suppression of peaceful assembly. And if you haven’t already, sign LWVDC’s statehood petition.
Action 11: Take CARE of yourself (and others!)
With so much going on in the world, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Take some time to do something you enjoy. Here’s a little cartoon to remind us to smile and be kind to others. Courtesy of FunnyTimes.com
ACTION 12: Join the League (if you are not already a member!
Help support the League in their mission of educating and informing voters.
ACTION 13: Sign up for the mailing list.
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We would love to hear from you about this initiative. Feel free to forward this email to others who wish to find ways to participate. Whether it’s how this made you feel, results you saw, or suggestions for future topics, please let cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com (subject: Defending%20Democracy, body: ) (Cherie Walker) know.
