On Oct 19, seventy League members gathered at Legacy Hall for our annual Back To League event. We had a spirited presentation from three panelists on the diverse issues of concern to our nation and League. We were welcomed by the President of LWVWA, Susan Bivins. Denise Harrington, local League member and a director on the board of LWV of Virginia, moderated the presentation.
Kyra Cook, who has served eight years on local school boards, spoke about education, the challenges for school boards, and income disparities in our local area. School funding and class size are the largest obstacles to improving educational outcomes for children.
Han Jones, the political director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, spoke with deep concern about current threats to women's reproductive rights and freedom to control their bodies and family size.
Tim Cywinski, Communications lead at the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter and Environmental Justice Advocate, spoke passionately about the environmental assaults suffered by poor and marginalized communities. Poor air quality, water degradation, soil contamination impact these groups at a higher rate than more wealthy, and often whiter, communities.