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February 13, 2020 | Deeds Digest No. 157
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The Deeds Digest is your bi-weekly look into the latest news from Deeds Not Words and what's making us inspired, angry, and ready to change the world. 🌍
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Hey, #Changemakers!
We hope your Valentine’s Day — or shall we say Galentine’s Day — is filled with lots of love. We're Jackie and Annalissa, and we're local high schoolers interning at Deeds this week from the Ann Richards School of Young Women Leaders. This week's Digest was curated and written by the both of us, and we're really excited for you to read it!
Here at Deeds, we are loving all the changes happening in our community, especially with all the primaries coming up so soon! We are ready to get all of our new voters out to the polls and show them how their voice makes a difference in the communities they live in. In order to do this though, we would love for you to help us spread the word and share these important tips!
For voters:
- You can register to vote as early as 17 years old and 10 months!
- The Texas Primary is March 3, 2020. Early voting starts on Feb. 18!
- Find the closest polling place to you ahead of time and set a time for you to go during your schedule!
- Invite a friend, go vote, and then go grab some ice cream! 🍦
- Make sure you are registered to vote for the 2020 General Election as well! The deadline to register to vote is October 5, 2020.
For all of those who cannot vote yet, don’t worry! We have some pretty inspiring young adults who are using their voices to change injustices in their own communities and you can too!
Onward,
Annalissa Garcia and Jackie Maclean
Ann Richards Interns
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Meet the Interns!
Annalissa Garcia
Hi guys! My name is Annalissa Garcia and I am currently 16-years-old. I am a junior at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, TX. At our school, I am in the biomedical pathway (I study all about the human body and the different medical interventions in our world today) and I love to play volleyball 24/7. I am very passionate about mental health, immigration rights, and all women’s rights! I love being able to work with so many inspiring people here at Deeds, and I love how they inspire me to want to do more in my community. My favorite feminist icon has to be Ruth Bader Ginsburg! She has been a great example for me to look at for strength and hope because I know there are a lot more women like her in our world.
Jackie MacLean
Hi, my name’s Jackie. I’m one of the interns from Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, working for Deeds this week. I am a Junior in the Media Tech pathway. Media Tech may sound like a confusing name, but it really just means film. I take a class every year learning how to make films and making my own films. Since freshman year, I’ve made and helped make a short narrative film, an animation short, and a documentary. I hope to continue on the film path through college and be a Radio/Television/Film major. I’m excited to work for Deeds as I find advocacy very important, especially in today's political climate. I hope to see people connecting and respecting each other as well as a youth being able to have a voice. I care about a lot of issues from human rights to climate change. My favorite feminist icon has to be Ann Richards, going to a school that is her namesake we have learned much about her. I love the charisma and comedy that she held through politics and her advocacy and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, especially in a time where that community was largely ignored.
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Inside the Youth-Led Campaign to Make Sure Teen Workers Weren't Left Behind in New Jersey's Fight for $15 Minimum Wage
Generation Z is very passionate about a lot of issues happening right now, but one special thing about this generation is they know how to lend a helping hand whenever needed! Young activists are taking their knowledge of civic engagement to the streets and using it to be Changemakers in their own communities!
Check out how these teen workers made sure their voices were heard by organizing a campaign for minimum wage!
Here’s what’s also inspiring us:
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Today is February 14, Valentine's day. However, this marks the two year anniversary of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. This tragedy sparked a movement of students saying enough is enough. Although many gun control laws have been passed in these two years, it’s clearly not enough as mass shootings continue to happen across the United States. Certainly in Texas, not much has been done. In the last 10 years alone, Texas has had seven mass shootings alone. Still, gun legislation in Texas continues to loosen every year. It’s time to start advocating again.
Here are other articles on gun violence in the U.S. and throughout its history:
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Hey Changemakers! If you can't vote, don't worry. Here are 5 great ways to get and stay involved politically outside the ballot box:
- A great way is to get involved in a local or national organization, campaign for a candidate you support, or volunteer for a non-profit. This can help your local community be informed about politics and hopefully keep voter turnout high.
- Research if a rally or protest about something you care about is happening soon. If there is one, then GO and maybe bring some friends with you. Or if something is really bothering you, organize something yourself, you can use social media to help and maybe reach out to a local organization to help.
- Call your representatives — they are supposed to represent you even if you can’t vote yet. You can call or write both local or federal representatives (although you are more likely to reach local officials). Study up on an issue you care about and call/write why your representatives should support or not support something.
- If you know anyone who can vote, make sure they go vote. It seems simple, but the average voter turnout in Texas alone is 20%. By making sure as many people as possible vote you are helping voices be heard. If someone doesn’t vote, but can, try your best to help get them to the polls.
- This is probably the most important: SHARE YOUR STORY. If you are passionate about something then you have a story about it, share it. Share it with friends, neighbors, and representatives. Make sure people know why you support something and why they should too.
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#Changemaker of the Week:
Natalie Portman
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Our Changemaker of the Week goes out to actress Natalie Portman.
For many years, it has been pointed out how rare it is for people of color and women to get nominated for Oscars. This year's Oscars brought many discussions about how many female directors were left out of the show after their incredible work. Natalie Portman, who helped present awards at the Oscars, protested this as well. She sported a black cape with the names of women directors she believed deserved at least some kind of recognition, embroidered in gold along the edge of the cape.
Check out her full dress here!
We see you, Changemaker!
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