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March 11, 2019 | Deeds Digest No. 137
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Hello #Changemakers!
What an amazing couple of weeks it's been here at Team Deeds HQ! We've been inspired to witness the impactful activism of our #Changemakers who are showing up day-after-day and speaking their truths in the halls of power at the Texas capitol.
For me, watching these young women in action is nothing short of awe-inspiring. They come prepared -- having done their research, armed with the own talking points as well as those we've provided. Most importantly, they come armed with their personal experiences and are able to make the issues they seek to address come alive for lawmakers who might not otherwise appreciate why sought-after change is needed.
Repeatedly, we've listened as lawmakers compliment these articulate advocates. And repeatedly, we've watched as lawmakers take our advocate testimonies to heart and use them to guide their vote on a number of important bills.
Last session, our #Changemakers were instrumental in passing 7 bills into law. If the past couple of weeks are any indication, they are going to blast through that record this session. Want to join them? Sign up here and let's get started making sure that you're included in our work. There are still many important bills that directly impact your lives that haven't yet been heard. Come join us, #Changemaker, and together, let's change the world!
Much love,
-wendy
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There are lots of opportunities for you to raise your voice during the #TXLege - and one of them is giving testimony at public hearings. We are beyond proud of our #Changemakers for using their voices and powerful testimonies to advance important bills in the legislative process, which so far include:
✊Rep. Mary Gonzalez's bill, HB 98 would appropriately criminalize revenge porn.
✊Rep. Senfronia Thompson's re-filed bill, HB 287 would help assure #EqualPay for #EqualWork (the Governor previously vetoed this bill filed by Wendy in the 2013 session!)
✊Rep. Shawn Thierry's bill, HB 204 would provide Texas Public schools with a much needed mental health curriculum.
✊Senator Nelson's bill, SB 71 would establish of a statewide telehealth center for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.
✊HB 170 authored by Representatives Bernal, Guillen, and Senfronia Thompson would assure coverage for diagnostic mammograms under health benefit plans
Check us out fighting for #EqualPay:
...and these #Changemakers explaining how revenge porn is a digital form of harassment, abuse, and shame:
...our amazing #SheLeaders from the Ann Richards School for Young Women breaking down why we need stronger mental health services and education in all Texas schools:
...and #TeamDeeds fighting for #PaidSick and testifying against SB 15
#Changemaker Pro-Tip: No one in the legislative process is more powerful than you - the voter, the constituent, the people.
YOU have the power to change the world around you. And we're proud to be working alongside you every single day as you do just that!
In the Movement,
Claudia Yoli Ferla
Director of Student Outreach and Organizing
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Last year, Deeds was honored to take part in Representative Victoria Neave's Sexual Assault Task Force to adequately address the issue of sexual violence in our state.
The task force's work culminated in the Lavinia Master's Act, which would provide the processes and resources to finally clear the rape kit backlog so that survivors receive the justice they deserve. That bill, HB 8, received a hearing in the House this past week and some of our extraordinary #Changemakers were proud to show up in support of this landmark legislation alongside Lavinia Masters herself (above, left). Read more about the bill here!
Here's more of what's inspiring us...
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With 57 co-signers in the House, HB 1500 (a six-week abortion ban) is moving quickly through the Texas House.
This ban would take away a pregnant person’s right to make their own medical decisions before most are even aware that they are pregnant.
Take action now by learning more about this bill, and signing our petition to say NO to the ban.
Here's more of what has us fired up ...
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Howdy #Changemakers!!
Session is LIT! And as you know, #TeamDeeds focuses on galvanizing the power of young people through policy-making, organizing, and voting.
Our policy-making focuses on teaching the skills needed and providing guidance to #Changemakers to show up and be heard in the legislative process. And wow have our #Changemakers been making their voices heard in the past couple of weeks! Deeds' #Changemakers have testified in support of:
Rep. Gonzalez's Revenge Porn bill, HB 98 and Rep. Sefronia Thompson's Equal Pay bill, HB 287 both received hearings on Monday, Feb 25th.
Rep.Thierry's Mental Health Services in Schools Bill HB 198: and her Mental Health Curriculum bill HB 204 both received hearings on Tuesday, Feb 26th.
Rep. Neave's Lavinia Masters Act an omnibus rape kit bill that seeks to improve the entire system of collecting, preserving, and testing rape kits in Texas.
In all, 22 amazing #Changemakers provide testimony to support these bills! That's 22 instances in which lawmakers were provided the opportunity to hear the unique perspectives of young women who are directly impacted by the proposed legislation they are considering.
Didn’t get a chance to testify this time? No worries!! There will be plenty of opportunities coming up to make progressive change possible in the lege!
Sign up here to let us know that you want to be on our rapid response testimonies team! You’ll get hearing updates, testimony templates, talking points, and a digital toolkit filled with pre-written tweets that you can post in order to make some NOISE in the lege. And, not to worry, we'll be with you every step of the way, including accompanying you to the Capitol and cheering you on!
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This Week's #Changemaker:
Alencia Johnson
Alencia Johnson is a name we should know: she’s providing her talent and passion to Planned Parenthood so that it better engages women of color and includes underrepresented communities.
Alencia Johnson decided to post up in Harlem while working for #PP in New York, because she “wanted to be reminded every single day of the Black women and girls I'm fighting for at Planned Parenthood.” She is a picture-perfect example that fresh ideas from underrepresented women can turn the activist game on its head in a productive and powerful way. Alencia is flourishing “at the intersection of activism, progressive politics and culture change.”
For Alencia, working at Planned Parenthood is about including marginalized communities in the conversations about and image of reproductive rights. She says, “When addressing women's healthcare and reproductive rights, many think of middle aged white women, when those who are dying are those left at the margins: women of color, transpeople, young people, low income folks and people in rural areas. However, there was no campaign to speak to them specifically.” Alencia is making that campaign a reality. She is an influential leader, a #Changemaker, an activist, and we’re here for it!
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