The Newsletter of the Deeds Not Words Community

March 17, 2017 | Deeds Digest No. 43
Share
Tweet
Forward

Hello #ChangeMakers!!!

It was an amazing week for team Deeds Not Words! It's #SXSW here in our hometown of Austin, Texas, and I had an opportunity to speak at several events to connect with many women interested in taking action to make change. I was particularly inspired by the number of people who showed up for #SXSJ (South By San Jose), an annual musical venue event hosted each year by local #ChangeMaker, Liz Lambert. This year, Liz used the opportunity to highlight the work of Planned Parenthood, Whole Women's Health and us here at Deeds Not Words. And, generously, she dedicated certain proceeds from the event to benefit our organizations.  

We were thrilled with the number of people who stopped by our booth and filled out postcards to state legislators voicing their opinions about a variety of issues, including access to women's reproductive healthcare. Many thanks to Liz, her team, and a host of incredible volunteers who made the day a tremendous success.  

Teaching the importance of communicating our values to lawmakers who represent us is one of our main goals here at Deeds Not Words. And I continue to be amazed by all of you, each amazing in your own unique way, and the fact that you are stepping up and speaking out like never before.

If you need inspiration on how to do just that, be sure and watch the video below of this week's #ChangeMaker, Katie Needle, as she challenges Secretary Tom Price's support for defunding Planned Parenthood at a town hall he recently hosted. Women like Katie inspire me to believe that we can accomplish just about anything we set our minds to! Keep up the great work, fabulous ones!!!

Much love,
-wendy

P.S. Reading this for the first time? Be sure to subscribe below!

hooThis week’s #ChangeMaker: Katie Needle

This week, we applaud #ChangeMaker Katie Needle, a ‘Medicaid enrollee and Planned Parenthood patient’ who posed one of the most important questions at Tom Price’s healthcare town hall on CNN Wednesday night. 



 "My actual question is: How do you expect the millions of low-income women nationwide who depend on Planned Parenthood for these vital human services — basic needs —  to access these things if Planned Parenthood were defunded?"

Katie Needle wasted no time schooling Price on the various ways that Planned Parenthood helps women across the country, and did not hesitate to let him know why his healthcare plan, the American Health Care Act, doesn’t make sense over a provider that helps over one million Medicaid patients every year. Needle’s pointed question left Price without an adequate answer. Now trending on social media, we wanted to offer our own praise of Needle’s bravery and commitment to change!

Check out our ‘View’ section to watch the full clip of Katie’s words in action. Thanks, Katie, for teaching Price about the real consequences the AHCA would have on women’s health and why #istandwithpp.

Know a hero making a difference in their community? Send us a picture of someone you’d like to see as #ChangeMaker of the week here, along with their story, and you might just see it in the next #DeedsDigest.

Check out this poem Sydney McQuoid wrote about our founder on the feminist poetry blog, Visceral Uterus! We look forward to showcasing more feminist works of art in the #DeedsDigest and Sydney's heartfelt poem helps us kick that off!

Writer, (one of our favorites, in fact!) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie calls out “Feminism Lite” in her new book, Dear Iljeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions. We should all heed Adichie’s advice on empowering daughters to become strong and independent women by avoiding “the idea of conditional female equality.”

Ever wish you could get your birth control delivered right to your door? Done! Read how Bedsider is helping women across the country access contraceptives through their mail-order service, Door to Door.

In today’s political climate, understanding how to deal with ICE officials and local police officers is vital to many communities. When Immigration and Customs Enforcement target already vulnerable victims of domestic violence, training on how to face them becomes particularly important. Make sure to Learn’ more about how to deal with ICE below, and share that info with folks who might need it!

Our #ChangeMaker of the week Katie Needle lays down the facts on women's access to necessary care at CNN's healthcare Town Hall with Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price.
Nike: What are girls made of?
Nike's new ad features our favorite definition of 'What Girls Are Made Of.'
Watch Sandra Lopez’s interview at SXSW Conference 2017 ,taped right here in our hometown of Austin, Texas, on “What It’s Like to Be a Female Tech Executive” and how she navigated the "boys' club" to get to the top in Silicon Valley.
Sneak peak: you must bring "your authentic self to the table" to succeed.

#ChangeMakers, the time to advocate is now. We’re still in awe of students’ testimonies from our recent advocacy training on UT campus, Hands Off: Ending Sexual Assault in Texas.

One of our brilliant speakers, Texas State Representative Donna Howard, has provided some awesome infographics for you to learn to how to contact your state legislator and how to testify before a committee - and the information is helpful regardless of which state you live in!


  A Guide To Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

During a time when immigrant communities have become one of the most targeted groups in the U.S., it is crucial to educate vulnerable communities on how to stand up for themselves against these attacks.

Thanks to this handy guide, you can learn how to do just that in various locations we’ve listed below. Make sure to forward this email to any friends who might be able to help reach people that need it!

  1. School- Undocumented immigrants cannot be arrested at locations such as: religious sites, hospitals, and schools. Thanks, Equal Education Act for prohibiting discrimination based on nationality, race, or color. Students cannot be denied an equal education because of their immigration status.
     
  2. Contact with police- If a law enforcement official requests someone’s immigration status, that person has the right to remain silent. However, If an immigration official asks to see someone’s identification papers and that person is not a U.S. citizen, he or she must present.
     
  3. Custody- The same rights guaranteed to U.S. citizens and residents who are apprehended by the police or ICE apply to undocumented individuals. With an exception to deportation cases-- the government is not required to provide an attorney if an undocumented individual cannot afford one.
     
  4. Work or Home- ICE officials can come to private residences, but they cannot enter without a warrant signed by a judge or permission from the resident (seriously, don’t forget this one). Employers at private workplaces can give ICE officials permission to enter without a warrant, however, these officials also do not need a warrant to find an undocumented individual in any public location or workplace — although they may need one to actually arrest them.
     



Tell your congressperson why they should support paid sick days and educate others about the importance of the Healthy Families Act!

 

Check out our partner National Partnership for Women & Families’ recommended site, PaidSickDays.org to find your local paid sick days campaign, learn more about the need for paid sick days, and how to get involved.

Below are a few simple things you can do to help secure working families’ economic security and help enact laws that guarantee paid sick days!
 

Call

Who to Contact:

What to Say:

  • Tell your members of congress why they should support paid sick days and co-sponsor the Healthy Families Act. Here’s a few solid talking points for inspiration:
     

Post
 

Spread the Word:

  • Share your story on social media about the impact the Healthy Families Act would have on women's lives across our country the using the hashtags #PaidSickDays and #HFAnow
     
    • Tip: Use the graphic above, or include a picture of your family or loved ones who would be affected!
Share
Tweet
Forward
Unsubscribe from this list     Update subscription preferences

Copyright © 2016 Deeds Not Words, All rights reserved.
Deeds Not Words
PO Box 6009
Austin, TX 78762