Local League Members connected to the Women's Marches

from Leah P: Washington DC

The Women's Marches across the country last Saturday drew a lot of people. LWV US board voted to support the marches. This was following the tradition of how the League was formed nearly 100 years ago. We grew from the protests over getting the Right to Vote for Women.  The League now puts much of its efforts into education of the public on issues especially involving voting rights, procedures etc plus other issues that have been studied by League Members. 

LWV Park Rapids had several members that joined the Marches:  Below are some of the comments and pictures from last Saturday: 



 
From Leah P
What an amazing experience the Women's March on Washington was!  I was not able to find the League of Women Voters group.  I did get to McDonalds about 9:20; however the crowds were huge.  I couldn't even get  inside.  I looked for signs, but couldn't find any.  So, I went to the rally on my own.  It was huge!  It  far surpassed organizers expectations.  At the podium they mentioned they were planning for 200,000 but they estimated that 500,000 were there. The metro system was completely bogged down for a time because of the crowds.  Speakers were inspiring.  I saw Elizabeth Warren, Ashley Judd, Michael Moore, Gloria Steinem and many more.  Jesse Jackson and his entourage walked right past me.  That was thrilling to see him in person.  I was so glad I could go.
 

from Washington DC

Barbara S is in Arizona but wrote about how proud she was of her granddaughter:
My granddaughter marched in Duluth and snapped these pics.

from Barb S.

from Barb S.

Doris A.  I attended the St. Paul March with my two daughters, granddaughter and young grandson.   It was awesome!


Marching with Sue C.  supporting equal rights and justice for all, together we rise💕
I wore a sash honoring our fore-mothers, the suffragettes saying Respect and Justice with a peace sign. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say as there are so many concerns. Respect for our Earth and every living being, clean water and air.  Justice for fair treatment of all of us. I marched for the future of all of our children.   Beverly T— with Sue C at Lake Bemidji.

Coming Soon: Park Rapids Area Reads Together! / Teens Read Together!

Below is the Press Release from Park Rapids Area Library and partners: 

All area residents are invited to participate. 

The project is a partnership between the Park Rapids Area Library, Nemeth Art Center, The Friends of the Library, and the League of Women Voters Park Rapids Area.  

The book we have chosen, A Good Time For the Truth: Race in Minnesota, is a compilation of writing by Minnesota authors.


Multiple copies of the book will be purchased by the Park Rapids Area Friends of the Library, and will be available to borrow beginning Monday, January 23rd.

If you’d like to add your name to the list of borrowers, sign up at the library, or call 732-4966.   Please call to register even if you choose to purchase your own copy of the book, or borrow a friend’s. Knowing the number of participants will be helpful in planning follow up activities. 

We are in communication with the book’s editor and contributors, and are planning one or more author-led public forums. A writing workshop will be offered in conjunction with the event. If you’re part of an organization and/or book club interested in helping organize, host, or fund the event, contact Jodi at the library (732-4966).

Contributor, Shannon Gibney, has also authored See No Color, a novel for young adults. See No Color is the book we have chosen for “Teens Read Together!” a common reading experience for area

teens. The program will run concurrently with the Park Rapids Area Reads Together program.

Ms. Gibney has agreed to participate in the (A Good Time for the Truth) author forum Saturday, March 25th, and will also lead a book discussion centered on her YA novel, See No Color, Sunday, March 26th. 

Further related events including an additional author forum Saturday, April 8th featuring Heid Erdrich are dependent upon whether we receive requested grant funds.

More information and details will be released as available.