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April 2, 2019 | Deeds Digest No. 139
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Hello #Changemakers!
I am thrilled to report that our very first statewide Deeds Advocacy Day and Rally was a huge success!! We were joined by students from our chapters throughout the state, including from as far away as the Rio Grande Valley and El Paso. Over two days, we spent time helping our student #Changemakers learn how to navigate the legislative process, how to meet with legislators and how to effectively speak their truths to power.
For most of our students, this was their very first trip to the Texas Capitol. Imagine that!?! Having never been to the Capitol before and, on your very first visit, meeting with legislators and their staffs to talk about issues that matter to you???
I had the privilege of visiting a few offices with one of our student groups and I was beyond impressed by how they handled themselves -- passionately presenting their reasons for the bills they were supporting, educating legislators on why these bills mattered to them and inspiring everyone who met with them.
Perhaps the best part of the two day experience came at the very end when our curriculum and training coordinator, Keda Hall, asked the students to form a large circle after a group debrief. "In one word," she asked, "describe what you are feeling right now." We heard words like, "powerful," "heard," "galvanized," "inspired."
My one word after spending these two days with our students: "Hopeful." You give me hope, #Changemakers, no two ways about it.
Much love,
-wendy
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#TeamDeeds hosted its very first Advocacy Day Rally! We were joined by #Changemakers from all over our great state at the Texas Capitol to advocate for our FEM-Z agenda.
Our #Changemakers learned how the legislative process works, received training in how to advocate for a bill of importance to them, participated in a youth-led rally with some of our favorite legislative champions, and visited with legislators and their staffs to advocate for the #TXLege bills in our agenda! It was a busy day and awe inspiring to see them in action -- particularly because for most of them, it was their very first visit to the Texas capitol!
A special thanks to all of the amazing young people from some of our fabulous schools who made this empowering day possible:
🌟University of Texas at Austin
🌟Huston-Tillotson University
🌟University of Texas at Dallas
🌟University of Texas at Arlington
🌟Mountain View Community College
🌟Rice University
🌟Texas Southern University
🌟Texas Prairie View A&M
🌟St. Edwards University
🌟Texas A&M University
🌟University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
🌟University of Texas, El Paso
🌟El Paso Community College
🌟Ann Richards School for Young Women
🌟Westwood High School
Didn’t make it to #DeedsDay? No worries.
Shoot us an email and we’ll help you start your very own #DeedsChapter and perfect your #TXLege testimony.
En la Lucha,
Claudia Yoli Ferla
Director of Student Outreach and Organizing
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Howdy #Changemakers,
We had a couple of nasty bills receive hearings on Monday, and it was no April Fools Joke for the people who will be impacted if they pass into law.
HB 3605 requires an attorney to be appointed “ad litem” to represent an unborn fetus during a proceeding to grant permission for an abortion of a pregnant minor. Approval of this bill would essentially grant a fetus rights of "personhood."
HB 1929 and SB22 prohibit local communities from contracting with healthcare providers if they are in any way associated with abortion. State funding for these providers was withdrawn in a previous legislative session. These bills would force local communities to cease their funding support as well.
HB 2350 outlaws abortions and creates a civil penalty offense for doctors who perform them. Full stop.
HB 16 creates rights for a "living child" born after an abortion, attempting to solve a problem that doesn't even exist.
So what can you do?
Andrea Reyes
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
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This Week's #Changemaker:
Deeds' Own Changemakers
Last week, many of our own #Changemakers traveled to Austin from all across the state to take part in Deeds Advocacy Day on March 27th. After a training session on how to be an effective advocate for meaningful policy changes, Team Deeds joined together for a rally just outside the steps of the State Capitol. We heard inspiring stories from elected officials, activists, artists, and our own campus organizers, who showed us the courage to share the vulnerable moments that built their strength and spurred them into activism. Then, we met with legislators to talk about the bills we’re putting our support behind.
After months of planning, Advocacy Day left us emotional, excited, and with so much to get riled up about! It was a day of learning from each other and of holding each other up in support. Onstage and in the audience, the rally showed a picture of Texas we are proud to believe in, one that’s not yet being reflected in the lawmaking halls of our Congress. Our #Changemakers may come from a hundred different backgrounds, experiences, passions, and aspirations, but together, they’re the leaders of tomorrow who are going to make Texas a better community for all people.
In the Movement,
Isa Francesca Arce, Deeds' 2019 Spring Intern
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