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February 5, 2019 | Deeds Digest No. 133
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Hello #Changemakers!
Yesterday was one of those days that I dreamt of when I launched Deeds Not Words almost three years ago. Because yesterday, at the invitation of Senator Kirk Watson, our #Changemakers participated in a press conference at the Texas Capitol, speaking out against campus sexual assault and demonstrating support for legislative measures to make our campuses safe spaces to learn.
The #Changemakers who spoke, several of whom are survivors themselves, shared their stories as a powerful testament to why legislative change is needed. Afterward, members of the press corps asked for separate interviews with several of them, providing them a broader platform to educate the community about why change is needed and what that change should look like.
This is what "walking the walk," looks like, #Changemakers. Thank you to Rhea Shahane, Rylee Trotter, Tatum Zeko, and Ashka Dighe, each of whom spoke at the press conference. Each is an example of what it means to speak truth to power. And because of them and the other #Changemakers who joined them at the press conference, Texas lawmakers are poised to make significant improvements to sexual assault prevention and response in our state.
Freedom from sexual assault forms the first plank in our FEMZ agenda, and we could not be more proud of the progress our #Changemakers are already making on this issue. Want to join them in making change at the state legislative level? Reach out to claudia@deedsnotwords.com and let her know that you, too, are ready to walk the walk!
Much love,
-wendy
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Notes From the Field
I have been involved with Deeds Not Words since I was a Senior at Skyline High School. Deeds Not Words has given me a new definition for "girl power". They helped me find my voice and taught me how to use it effectively. During the last #TXLege, I worked on a Senate Bill to adopt a sex-trafficking curriculum into public Texas high schools. And through our collective power, we passed this bill into law!
Deeds has really helped me make my mark and start my journey in political activism. As the Deeds Campus Organizer at Hutson-Tillotson, I would love to increase my impact on those around me and make a difference for those children and women who come from similar backgrounds as myself.
I want to get #Changemakers more involved and teach them that their voice is the key to endless possibilities.
Stay tuned. I am a #Changemaker!
Kierra Jones-Jackson
Campus Organizer at Huston-Tillotson
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Last week, in collaboration with End Rape on Campus and Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, we hosted an event aimed at pushing back against the Department of Education's proposed Title IX rollbacks. Together, we educated college students about the rollbacks and then engaged in a letter writing campaign during the public comment period.
Well, we have some incredible news to report: As of the January 30th deadline, over 100,000 comments have been received by the DOE, and the DOE must respond to each one of them. Thank you to every #Changemaker who made this possible!!
Here's more of what's inspiring us...
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Howdy #Changemakers!
We have an ask for you brought to us by one of our extraordinary #Changemakers, Riyana Daulat, a junior at the Hockaday School in Dallas, TX. Riyana is working on a petition to abolish the tax on feminine hygiene products in our state and she needs your help! Texas Senator Jose Rodriguez (El Paso) and Representative Donna Howard (Austin) have re-filed their “Pink tax” bills from the prior legislative session,. Their bills, SB 146 and HB 311, need our support! In previous legislative sessions these bills have never even reached the senate or house floors for debate, and the chances of them reaching the floor this year is also slim unless we can create attention around them and give voice to the importance of this issue.
Why should you care about removing the pink tax? Riyana spells it out in her petition:
“The state of Texas charges a sales tax of 6.25% on every dollar spent on retail items as well as other services. Items such as allergy medications, sedatives, cold remedies, eye-drops and even nicotine gums are exempt from sales tax, because they are all considered to be medically necessary. For some reason, feminine hygiene products do not fit the bill. The average women will use 12,000-16,000 disposable pads and tampons in her lifetime. Ask a girl who just started her period what she would do without disposable pads or tampons. How can these not be considered medically essential items? As a result, charging a sales tax on these items is unfair and should be eliminated. Presently, twelve states have already abolished this tax. In Texas, this bill has been proposed a few times, but has never even made it to the floor for discussion. As a sixteen year old girl, I want to make this bill a reality to help other women around Texas. Please support this bill with your signature!”
Samantha Rucobo, Campus Organizer for Deeds at EPCC is just one of the people who’ve signed Riyana’s petition, because Samantha believes, “it is time we stop being penalized for something natural” So come on #Changemakers, make your voice heard and sign the petition here.
Andrea Reyes
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
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This Week's #Changemaker:
Ashley Arevalo
College is about more than just studying. #Changemakers like Ashley Arevalo show us that you can make major waves as a student too. She’s a badass with a style blog who also heads a student-led movement for Period Equity. At Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Ashley founded the school’s PERIOD. chapter to erase the stigma surrounding our periods. Periods are cool y’all. If you want to learn more about the insanely intricate and even beautiful way your body makes a cycle, here’s a handy chart.
Plenty of students have shown that you can hit the books and be activists at the same time, and Ashley is no exception. This year, she organized students for free tampons and pads campus-wide. Her mission started with a student petition that racked up hundreds of signatures. Dressing up in red, students marched on campus to raise awareness for the need for free menstrual products. Because why should stocking the bathroom with TP be any different than tampons and pads?
Ashley and her friends definitely got the school administration’s attention. Last week, the University President announced that free period products will be available to students by Fall 2019. Ashley with the W!
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