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May 24, 2019 | Deeds Digest No. 143
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Hello #Changemakers!
As you know, we talk a great deal about the power of creating "change" here at Deeds. And we are filled with pride every single time one of our students puts effort and passion into helping to drive the change they want to see in the world.
So, usually, "change" is a word that feels great to us. But, today, we are feeling a bit sad about some changes ahead on the horizon. In our "Deeds News" section, below, you'll see that we are saying good-bye to some of our inaugural campus organizers who are graduating from college and moving on to the next chapter in their lives. We are also bidding farewell to some of our interns who have been the muscle behind so much of what we do here at Deeds HQ as they, too, graduate from college and move on to begin their careers.
We hope that we've had as much of an impact on their lives as they've had on ours. The fact that we can point to the passage of over 20 bills in our short 3 year history is much more a testament to their work than it is to ours. Over and over again, we have been awed by their courage and resilience as we've watched them zero-in on issues of importance and engage in the organizing and advocacy to motivate meaningful legislative outcomes. They have inspired us every single day. And we know that, as they set out on their future paths, they are poised to do much more.
Today, we also bid adieu to our super-star Digital Director, Lauren Baker, as she begins the next chapter in her journey, joining the DCCC as its Southern Regional Digital Director. Lauren has used her immense talent and passion to design and drive our digital platforms over the course of the last year-and-a-half. She has informed our perspectives internally and communicated our work externally with an exceptionally talented touch, always guided by her own desire to see meaningful positive change for women across this state and this country. And she has made an indelible mark in our lives and in our hearts. We are so proud of her and what this next step in her life will mean, but we will miss her terribly.
To each of these #Changemakers, I say a heartfelt "Thank You!" for the light and love you have brought to our work. We wouldn't be who we are today had it not been for the impact that each of you made. And you will always be a part of Team Deeds' family.
Now, go out and set the world on fire. We'll be watching from afar with love. And with marshmallows.
Much love,
-wendy
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#GRADSZN (graduation season) is now in session and it is #LIT. I must say it is truly an awe-inspiring moment to know that many of our #Changemakers from the Deeds Not Words community have faithfully run this race and finished strong. We are extremely proud of each of them!
From our inaugural Movement Mujeres class, four amazing fellows just became one degree hotter. Those fellows are: Mercedes Molina (University of Texas at Dallas), Andrea Flores (Texas A&M University - College Station), Stephanie Villanueva (University of Texas at Austin), and Maria Lopez (University of Texas at Austin).
Three of our Campus Organizers are also gearing up to walk the stage. They have undoubtedly left their mark on their respective campuses. Those Campus Organizers are: Tatum Zeko (University of Texas at Austin), Ana Hernandez (University of Texas at El Paso), and Emma Watson (Texas A&M University - College Station).
Additionally, three of our Deeds Interns will now join the ranks of our growing alumni intern network and will soon be alumnas of their alma-mater. Those superstar Deeds Interns are: Jasmine Owen (University of Texas at Austin), Isa Arce (University of Texas at Austin), and Sophie Jerwick (University of Texas at Austin).
Lastly, we’re excited to announce the graduation of our UT Chapter Changemaker, who holds the record for most oral testimonies this session -- kudos to Rhea Shahane (University of Texas at Austin).
To each of them, our humble ask is that they will go out into the world and do well; and also, go out in the world and do good! We’ll be following them as they embark on their new endeavors and know that they'll continue to impact change wherever they go.
Once a #Changemaker, Always a #Changemaker!
Later friends,
Ke’Yonna “Keda” Hall
Curriculum Development and Training Coordinator
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At 34 weeks pregnant, Alysia Montaño ran the 800m race in the US Track and Field Championships. Instead of rewarding her "badassery," Nike threatened to pull her funding. The company touts itself as cool and progressive -- think Serena Williams's tear-jerking “Dream Crazier” commercial and Colin Kaepernick's “Believe in Something” ads -- but Nike-sponsored athlete Montaño says the brand doesn’t practice what they preach. When the runner told Nike that she was pregnant, they told her they would stop paying her because she couldn’t meet their performance standards. Now she’s calling them out in this video.
Here's more of what has us fired up ...
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Between Georgia’s 6-week ban and Alabama’s criminalization of abortion providers, anti-choice legislation is moving quickly all across the country. Not surprisingly, the world’s attention is now focused on women’s reproductive choices and justice like never before.
History has already shown us that criminalizing abortion doesn’t change the need for abortion. So it is more crucial than ever that we take the time to listen to the voices of those directly impacted around us and give space and trust to their stories. If this sounds like your wave, join Deeds Not Words and Re+Birth Equity Alliance in Dallas on Monday for a free screening of the film No Choice followed by a panel of dynamic community organizers from The Afiya Center, Texas Equal Access Fund, Jane’s Due Process, Planned Parenthood TX Votes, and one of our very own Deeds Campus Organizers.
#DoTheDeed by reserving your ticket here!
Can’t attend but still want to support the fight for abortion access? Sign up for individual membership with the National Network of Abortion Funds here.
Later Changemaker,
Ke’Yonna “Keda” Hall
Curriculum Development and Training Coordinator
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This Week's #Changemakers:
Deeds El Paso
 Changing it up this week, our #Changemaker of the week is the entire El Paso chapter of Deeds Not Words. They are doing such amazing work, including the fact that they made possible the passage of a city resolution on sex positivity after hosting an educational panel on the topic on the campus of the University of El Paso. They truly walk the walk, organizing the idea for and successful vote on their city resolution from start to finish. With the help of Andrea Reyes, our Policy Coordinator, they wrote the Sexual Health resolution which advocates for medically based sexual health education in El Paso, they testified for it at a city council meeting and were present to watch it pass with a near unanimous vote. They are a testament to the fact that young people do not need to "wait their turn" to make change. Because their voices are needed now. And the change they seek to make can happen today when their passion increases understanding to motivate that change.
Congratulations to Jocelyn Estrada, Samantha Rucobo, Valerie Dominguez, and Monet Woodhouse, each of whom worked on and testified for the resolution. Thank you, El Paso Deeds Not Words. We hope you know that all our Deeds' campus chapters are watching the results of your hard work in El Paso. We hope they can help assure that other cities will follow your lead. Shoutout also to Councilmembers Annello and Hernandez for mentoring our Changemakers and for supporting this resolution!
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