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January 16, 2019 | Deeds Digest No. 130
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Hello #Changemakers!
It's that time of year again! The Texas legislative session is underway and we've got a lot of work to do.
In our "Be The Change" section below, you'll find a list of bills already included in our FEM-Z agenda. As more bills are filed that address the issues you care about, you'll see that list continue to grow.
To prepare you to be the best advocate possible, we'll be hosting a couple of trainings in the coming weeks. One that will take place directly on our 17 Deeds Not Words high school and college campuses (working directly with you on your chosen "Capstone Project" issue, and another that will take place on the UT Campus and live-streamed to all of our chapters (focusing particularly on supporting bills aimed at curbing sexual assault). We'll also be hosting our first ever FEM-Z Advocacy Day on the South steps of the Texas Capitol on March 27th from 11:00 to 1:00 and we hope you'll be able to join us!
Regardless of where your passions lie within our FEM-Z agenda, please know that we'll make sure you have an opportunity to make your voice heard, whether in committee hearings, meeting directly with legislators, writing op-eds and more. I know from experience that the most impactful change comes when WE commit our energies (our DEEDS!) to driving that change.
I can't wait to see you in action, #Changemaker! It's go time!
Much love,
-wendy
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Notes From the Field
#TeamDeeds stormed the Texas Capitol with power suits on the first day of the 86th Legislative Session!
Last session, we were proud that our Deeds’ advocates were instrumental in supporting the passage of key legislation to create a safer environment on college campuses as well to create a statewide human trafficking prevention curriculum in our public high schools. This session, we will continue to advocate for an agenda that seeks to prevent sexual assault and to respond appropriately when one does occur, including continuing efforts to address Texas' backlog of untested rape kits. With proposed federal roll-backs to Title IX protections, we'll also be supporting a "State IX" agenda that incorporates protections agains sexual assault on college campuses that will otherwise be lost. And so much more!
Our FEMZ Agenda will also tackle menstrual equity, reproductive rights, maternal health and economic advancements for women.
Being an advocate means using your voice to stand up for others and using your power to change the world around you. We want you, #Changemaker, to initiate those changes yourself. Join us this legislative session and be an advocate for issues that matter to you!
Save the date for our FEMZ Advocacy Day on March 27!
See you at the Capitol,
Claudia Yoli Ferla
Director of Student Outreach and Organizing
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Last digest, we outlined the long-standing issue of sexual harassment in our Capitol and the need for a transparent, accountable, and independent process to investigate ALL allegations of harassment by lawmakers and legislative staff.
Well, today we have an update: Last Wednesday the Texas House UNANIMOUSLY passed new rules to strengthen accountability and reporting procedures!
These new rules are the consequence of voices like yours who demanded better of our elected officials. We're so happy to see the Texas House take this issue seriously and step up to make needed changes to their policy. Hopefully, we will see the same from the Senate...
Here's more of what's inspiring us...
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As we dive into session together, we’ve created a bill-tracking document for your use that tracks our FEM-Z legislative agenda. That agenda will continue to focus on prevention and response to sexual harassment and assault, and will also include bills that address maternal mortality, menstrual equity, access to accurate scientifically based sex education programs, a woman’s right to express breast milk, affordable or no-cost access to contraception, and more. We will be working hard with your help, #Changemaker, to support a host of pre-filled bills and will continue to add to that list as bills in our interest areas are filed. Here are a just a few examples that might peak your advocacy interest: Senator Jose Rodriguez (El Paso) Tampon Tax bill which seeks to remove state taxes from menstrual products, Representative Joe Moody’s Indecent Assault bill which will provide judicial protection for victims of indecent assault, Representative Victoria Neave’s Payment for Sexual Assault Exams bill which seeks to help cover the costs for collection of a rape kit and Rep. Neave’s Trauma Informed Interviewing for Law Enforcement bill which will provide training for police officers on how to appropriately interview someone who has been a victim of sexual assault.
Let us know the bills you are interested in advocating for by tagging us at @_deedsnotwords or emailing me at andrea@deedsnotwords.com. Want to add something to the list? Let me know that, too! As always we look forward to making #Change together.
Andrea Reyes
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
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This Week's #Changemaker:
Bernice Sandler
Earlier this month, we said goodbye to Dr. Bernice Sandler, better known as the “Godmother of Title IX,” who spent decades advocating for the rights of women in higher education.
After she was met with continued rejection for teaching positions at the University of Maryland, despite her well earned and qualified credentials, Sandler realized the discrimination she felt was part of a more significant problem. She decided to take action by launching a campaign to make it illegal for federally funded educational institutions to discriminate on the basis of sex. Joined by the Women’s Equity Action League, Sandler challenged 250 institutions to adopt better policies and coordinating an extensive letter-writing campaign. In 1972, her work was picked up by the Health, Education and Welfare Department where it would eventually form into the Title IX policy we know today.
Thanks to Dr. Sandler's work, we now see more women and girls with the opportunity to attend college with the support they need to succeed. It's now our jobs to continue her work and ensure that Title IX remains intact...
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