Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
| | The Voter
The official newsletter of the
League of Women Voters of Piedmont, CA.
Vol. 36, Issue 8 | March 5, 2026
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March 2026 with the
LWV of Piedmont!
In this issue:
- A Message From Our President
- In Appreciation
- Legislative Interview of Assemblymember Wicks
- Mark Your Calendars!
- Volunteer With Us!
- Voter Information
- Unite and Rise 8.5
- Immigration Around the Nation and State
- Reminder
- Weekly Virtual "Lunch with the League"
But first, let's welcome these new members:
Stephen Sidney
Charlie Plimier
Niko Bruggemann
Margaret Gates-George
K. Buty
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A Message From Our President
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Dear LWV of Piedmont Members and Friends,
This note begins with thanking the Piedmont City Mayor, Betsy Smegal Anderson, on behalf of the City of Piedmont, for the official proclamation that we officially recognize and celebrate March 2026 as Women's History Month. In case you missed the Monday, March 2, 2026 meeting, please go here to watch the recording. The proclamation starts at around the 17:00 minute mark.
Here are some Women's History Month dates of note:
March 7th: Anniversary of Bloody Sunday
March 8th: International Women's Day
March 9-13: Civic Learning Week.
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Unite & Rise 8.5! 8.5 million is the number and represents a call to action to every member and friend, to "unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions" of the current administration and is part of our "Women Defend Democracy" campaign. 8.5 million is the number of votes scholars at the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights have determined would "bring about change through nonviolent protest".
Join me in committing to the fight for democracy with the League of Women Voters HERE !
Finally, you're invited to attend the League of Women Voters 57th Biennial National Convention, June 25-28th, 2026, as an observer. Please consider joining us virtually. For more information, go HERE!
Take good care with self-care!
In League,
Lisa Gardner
President, League of Women Voters of Piedmont
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Thank you to
The League of Women Voters of
California and Oakland
and
The LWVC Reparation Advisory Interest Group (RAIG)
for their event
Black Spaces: Reclaim and Remain
A Panel Discussion
This past Saturday, February 28th at the Oakland Museum of California. | | |
Legislative Interview of Assemblymember Wicks
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Every year, the League of Women Voters of California and the Alameda County Council of Leagues coordinate local leagues interviewing their state Legislative representatives. This year, the Piedmont League took the lead in interviewing Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, coordinating a team that included the Berkeley-Albany-Emeryville and the West Contra Costa County local leagues. Member Wicks was kind enough to fit us into her very busy schedule on February 23.
Member Wicks believes that in 2026 the Legislature will need to shore up the social safety net; protect our immigrant community; and keep our kids safe online. Member Wicks is carrying a $10 Billion bond housing measure that she hopes will be on the ballot in November. If this passes, it will fund 45,000 shovel-ready projects - which will translate into providing affordable housing for 45,000 families. She is also very interested in funding to address food insecurity and to support mass transit. Though our time with her was limited, we also discussed the exploding costs of education, protecting Californians' data, and the longer term path to financial stability for mass transit.
It was heartening to see Member Wicks' passion for making California a better place. She expressed appreciation for the League, which she views as a nonpartisan "moral compass."
--Kathleen Quenneville
Voter Services Director, LWVP
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LWV California Events
Stay connected with other Leagues in California and their events HERE.
| | | | Save the date for:
No Kings Rally and March
Saturday, March 28, 2026
PLEASE WATCH YOUR EMAILS FOR MORE DETAILS!
To volunteer for this event, please contact Lisa Gardner - LGardner555@gmail
| | Save the date and time for:
Piedmont Food Fest
Saturday, April 25, 2026
11am-4pm
Piedmont Park
711 Highland Avenue
Please go HERE for more information. | | VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We are an all volunteer organization with "jobs" that range from once in a while tasks, like tabling for events or programming coordination, to full year positions.
We currently have these volunteer roles, which can be done with a friend, ready to be filled:
- VP of Membership
- NEW! Program Committee Member: Join a group of fun, passionate volunteers to make a difference in our community through curated events.
For more information, please contact Lisa Gardner today by email at Lgardner555@gmail.com or by phone 510-867-9221.
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In the September 1st, 2025 issue of The Voter, we explained the LWV-US Unite and Rise 8.5 movement. The goal is to motivate 8.5 million Americans to take nonviolent action in support of our democracy.
The actions that we can take in March include:
PARTICIPATION: Powering the Base Together!
Democracy thrives when we act together. Primaries begin this month, and we continue to deepen our partnerships and relationships to expand and energize our communities to vote, where appropriate, and lay the groundwork for midterms together. Eight months ahead of the November midterm election — and with several states holding primaries this month — we demonstrate that democracy is a collective responsibility and a shared act of hope.
GOTV!
One of our most important jobs we do as League members is assisting our communities with getting ready to vote. Watch for upcoming opportunities to volunteer with us for this election year. We need all hands on deck and look forward to connecting with other Leagues and organizations to bring you informative programming and voter information as we go into the 2026 Mid-Term Elections.
Check out this short informative video about Unite and Rise 8.5 courtesy of the League of Women Voters of Austin Area and find ways to support Unite and Rise 8.5 in our community.
For more information, go to www.lwv.org/uniteandrise and commit to being a part of this vital initiative for democracy.
TEEN VOLUNTEERS - Build Your Voter Readiness, too!
If you can assist us with reaching out to Piedmont and Millennium High School, OR know of High School students who would like to volunteer and work with their fellow youths to get out the vote, please contact Lisa Gardner at Lgardner555@gmail.com. We are registered with the High Schools to provide volunteer hours .
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Immigration Around the Nation and State
| ONGOING!
From the League of Women Voters of San Diego
Democracy in America: Understanding and Responding to Challenges
Reviews the core structure of our constitutional government, the challenges of many executive orders and actions, and the issues under litigation. The role of Congress in the system of checks and balances is a focus. Link to video here
LWVSD made this video in May. Most of it is currently relevant, but they have updated the parts on litigation over time.
America’s Immigration Challenges
Learn about the structure of our immigration system, changes since January 2025, significant litigation, and bipartisan policy alternatives.
Link to video here
For additional upcoming information from the League of Women Voters of San Diego's Immigration and Deportation Committee, check the LWV California Events page here.
|  | LWVUS has stated that immigration policies should promote the reunification of immediate families, meet economic, business, and employment needs, and be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises. https://www.lwv.org/other-issues/immigration.
LWVC has stated its position at https://lwvc.org/position/position-immigration. The LWVC has noted that ICE’s operations in Los Angeles and around California mark a troubling escalation – workplace raids coupled with the arrest of community members exercising their First Amendment rights to observe and protest. These tactics, along with the federal activation of the California National Guard and the deployment of U.S. Marines, weaponize fear to terrorize not just undocumented residents, but anyone who would stand with their neighbors or participate in democratic discourse. See https://lwvc.org/ice-activity-escalating-resources-protect-communities.
LWVUS and LWVC issued a joint statement on June 8, 2025, stating in part:
The President villainizing protestors is nothing but a performance to direct violence against the American people. By deploying the National Guard, against the wishes of state officials, the administration intends to cause fear and distract from their inhumane immigration raids [and] silence voices of dissent. The President's overreach signals a larger crackdown on protests across the country meant to intimidate us from speaking out…The League of Women Voters condemns these actions. … We will not be intimidated into silence. See www.lwv.org/press-releases.
The League urges everyone who is concerned about ongoing ICE activity to learn about the resources listed below.
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Join or Renew Your LWVP Membership!
Continue your commitment to empowering voters and defending democracy by joining or renewing your membership with the League. The new system, through LWVUS, allows you to pay what you want (with a minimum of $20), and to set up auto-renewal. Membership lasts for one year after joining or renewal (on a rolling basis). To renew, please click here: https://portal.lwv.org/membership?state=CA&league=0012E00001usOAhQAM
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Weekly Virtual “Lunch with the League”
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Join us for a weekly virtual lunch date with LWV of Piedmont, President Lisa Gardner. Come learn about our plans, discover opportunities to get involved, share your ideas for events, activities, or projects, or chat local, state, national or global politics!
Registration is required.
Drop in for a bit or stay for the whole hour. Tuesdays, 12-1pm. Zoom registration HERE
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We're social. Connect with us!
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Not yet a member of LWVP?
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