The Brown County Voter
June 2024
The League of Women Voters of Brown County is a nonpartisan civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.
The League works to increase understanding of major public policy issues through education and advocacy. Membership is open to all regardless of gender.
We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
Educate • Advocate • Empower • Reform
| Just a Note….Normalizing
By Shari Frank, LWVBC President
Have you noticed the Diversity Calendar in this newsletter every month? What the heck is diversity anyway? “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.” "Equality and diversity should be supported for their own sake.” Source: online Oxford language definition.
In the book “The Year of Yes,” author Shonda Rhimes says she is often asked about the representative diversity she writes into the TV shows she creates (including Grey’s Anatomy and many more). “She talks about abandoning the word ‘diversity’ and replacing it with ‘normalizing.’ I really hate the word “diversity,” she said when accepting an award at the 2015 Human Rights Campaign Gala. It suggests something . . . other. As if it is something . . . special. Or rare. As if there is something unusual about telling stories involving women and people of color and LGBTQ characters on TV.(Source: https://qz.com/work/1134513/kerry-washington-and-shonda-rhimes-on-the-shortcomings-of-diversity).
The Diversity Calendar is full of dates recognizing when some types of discrimination were overcome, celebrating groups of people often overlooked, identifying a wide variety of cultural and religious holidays.
I really like Shonda Rhimes’ concept of Normalizing. I think it means including representation of the wide variety of cultures, people of different backgrounds, color, sizes, shapes, genders, religions, spirits, abilities and beliefs-beyond our typical purview in our local community. It means knowing “our way” isn’t the only way or the right way. To me, the Diversity Calendar is a way of Normalizing by inclusion.
This month, June 18th is International Day of Countering Hate Speech. “It was established in 2019 by the UN in response to rising trends of growing racism and xenophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim hatred globally.” If we keep working on Normalizing, maybe June 18th will become a day to celebrate the end of Hate Speech, the day of Acceptance, the era of Equality and Equity.
It seems like a worthy goal to work on together! https://www.un.org/en/observances/countering-hate-speech | Upcoming Events of Note
July 8: LWVBC business meeting, 6 pm via Zoom. All League members will receive an email from Shari Frank with the Zoom link, agenda, and background information ahead of the meeting. Nonmembers who wish to attend can contact Shari at browncountylwv@gmail.com.
June 27: Virtual panel discussion with experts who explain how to tackle challenges with the Electoral College. See the article in this newsletter for more information.
July 27: Celebration of Life for LWVBC founder Ruth Reichmann, 3-5 pm at the Brown County History Center in Nashville.
| Citizens Handbook Now Available from LWVIN
Source: LWVIN
Introducing our Citizens’ Handbook!
Curious about how your local, state, and federal government works? Our Citizens’ Handbook breaks it all down for you. Equip yourself with the knowledge to be an effective citizen and advocate.
The Citizens’ Handbook is a comprehensive guide to understanding your civic duties, rights, and how you can make a difference.
Get your copy today at bit.ly/LWVINsHandbook and empower yourself with knowledge. |  | LWVB-MC Podcast Discusses Disinformation and Election Impact
Source: LWCB-MC June Newsletter
“The May 2024 podcast of Civic Conversations welcomed Dr. Marjorie Hershey, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Indiana University. Professor Hershey discussed the impact of disinformation on elections and how it influences election politics. Hershey shared that the definition of disinformation, purposeful misinformation designed to influence elections, has grown in recent years and that election campaigns that use disinformation hope that with enough repetition, people will begin to believe disinformation over the truth.
“The key action that voters can take, says Hershey, is to look to the source of that information and disregard it if no source is provided. If a source is given, they should verify that source before taking it as truth. Sources to help with verifying information include Politifact, the Brennan Center for Justice, and the Washington Post Fact Checker.”
| Janet Kramer Bench Dedication
Written by LWVBC Secretary Pam Raider
Editor’s Note: Pam was asked to write about Janet Kramer for last month’s ceremony to dedicate a bench at the Brown County State Park in memory of Janet. This editor attended the ceremony and was very touched by Pam’s words and memories of Janet. Here is the dedication in its entirety.
The LWVBC sends its sincere thanks to League member Rachel Perry for spearheading the construction of the bench and organizing the dedication ceremony.
“This bench dedication is the perfect tribute to Janet Kramer. Although she was the consummate good citizen involved in multiple organizations, I suspect Brown County State Park and the Friends of the Park held a special place in her heart.
“She attended all the Park events – bike rides, hikes, mushroom and wildflower sales, let alone the monthly Friends meetings as well as advocating for needed repairs and additions – such as this trail.
“I believe she would be somewhat embarrassed by all the attention we are paying her here today, but no doubt she would have been here – because, well - it’s a community event and that is how she was – a supporter and a participant.
“The many people who have attended this evening are a testament to how well loved and highly thought of Janet was.
I can see her still in a homemade midi skirt, comfortable shoes, Mona Lisa smile, hand extended offering you a piece of homemade pie or a root beer float. Hoosier Hospitality at its finest.
“She served on too many boards to possibly list here today and all of them thought fondly of her kind, mild mannered ways. She was a bedrock in any group, always showing up, finding a way to be helpful, a perfect hostess offering cookies, or pies, or root beer floats and always lending an ear. She was completely one of us – never aloof, always respectful of others. That is why she touched so many lives. That sign “Just be Kind” – reminds me of Janet. No need to pontificate, educate or gossip; it’s really consistent attendance and helpful participation that builds a reputation, an organization, a community. In my opinion we could use more leaders like her – the world would be a better place.
“She would be honored and no doubt would love this spot on the trail that she and Daryl worked so hard to create, so that people of all ages and physical abilities could come and enjoy the park as much as she did.
“So come and sit for a spell,
Take in the quiet,
Let the peace of nature
Soothe your ruffled feathers.
Get comfortable with yourself
And your place in the scheme of things,
Leave here refreshed
Ready to spread kindness back into the world.”
|  | Photo courtesy of Laurie Teal | LWV Launches One Person One Vote Campaign
Source: LWV
Dear Friend,
We're months away from a presidential election. An election where the people's voices must be prioritized — but they won't, because our system doesn't favor the people. It favors the Electoral College. The Electoral College is a relic designed to disenfranchise voters, particularly Black voters.
We deserve better.
That's why we're launching the One Person One Vote Campaign.
One Person One Vote will educate and activate the people we move past the Electoral College and towards a truly representative system.
Be part of the movement! Together, we can achieve a system made by and for the people.
In League,
Dr. Sania Choudhury Irwin, President, LWV
|
On Thursday, June 27, 7 pm, the League of Women Voters US will host a panel discussion with experts who will explain how to tackle challenges with the Electoral College. The discussion will be live streamed on Facebook and later shared on YouTube.
|  | Brown County Rising:
A Film Series About Individual and Community Well-Being
Learn about Mental Health, Addiction, Dangers of Social Media, the Impact of Childhood Trauma, and how to help
Where: Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, Indiana.
When:
- Sunday, August 18, 2:00 pm, The Addict's Wake
- Sunday September 22, 2:00 pm, Social Dilemma
- Sunday, November 24, 2:00 pm, Wrestling Ghosts
A panel will be available for questions and answers following each film. Panelists will include mental health professionals as well as community members, leaders, and employees.
The public is invited to attend all three films at no charge. Families, educators, caregivers and community members can use this material to spark discussions on causes and positive actions to address addictive behavior, mental health issues, childhood trauma and related issues.
The Movies
The Addict’s Wake – Educational Edit
Several thousand teens died from overdoses and tens of thousands more are experimenting with addictive and potentially deadly substances. The creators of the award-winning documentary, The Addict’s Wake, have produced dynamic new material specifically targeted to young people, examining addiction issues and recovery solutions from their perspective. Prevention-minded families and educators can use this material to spark discussions on the drivers of addictive behavior, including mental health issues, isolation, and stigma. The film examines new therapies and presents a path forward for those struggling with the life-or-death issue of substance use disorder.
Social Dilemma
This documentary dives into the psychological underpinnings and the manipulation techniques by which, it claims, social media and technology companies addict users. People's online activity is watched, tracked, and measured by these companies, who then use this data to build artificial intelligence models that predict the actions of their users. Tristan Harris, former Google design ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, explains the three main goals of tech companies: engagement; growth; and advertisement. Echoing others in the field, Harris warns: "If you're not paying for the product, you are the product.”
Wrestling Ghosts
Wrestling Ghosts is a raw, intimate, and heart-opening documentary about parenting, childhood trauma and healing. Wrestling Ghosts follows the epic inner journey of Kim, a young mother who, over two heart-breaking and inspiring years, battles the traumas from her past to create a new present and future for her and her family. In this intimate portrait, Kim shares deeply personal moments that most of us keep secret in shame and invites us into her counseling sessions. With her counselors’ help, Kim opens up to new ways of thinking and uncovers what has blocked her from experiencing the joy and connection she most desires. She learns about the impact of childhood trauma on her brain, and how, tragically, this very damage causes the trauma to be passed on to her own children. Armed with knowledge and compassion, she pursues new strategies to heal herself.
Sponsored by the Nashville Methodist Church and the Brown County Centerstone PACES program. The Brown County PACEs Initiative provides broad-based education about the long-term impacts of positive and adverse childhood experiences.
| Fair and Festival Time in Brown County
Third Annual Family Festival Held at Deer Run
Source: LWVBC Board Member Cathy Rountree
In April, The League took part in the Third Annual Family Festival at Nashville’s Deer Run Park. The Festival, sponsored by the Department of Child services, brings together agencies and organizations who serve families in the community, an event that includes food, prizes and activities for children.
At the League table, we offer information about the voting process, upcoming elections, and resources for voters. We also provide copies of the Brown County Connections Community Resources Guide that we partner with the Democratnewspaper to produce.
For children, we held an election. After registering to vote, the child could cast a ballot for “Best Pet.” This year, cats won with 12 votes, dogs had 10, and birds 3. There were 9 write in candidates including: horse, lizard, and elephant. The children’s excitement, and the seriousness with which they made their choices speak well for the future Brown County voters.
In addition to voting stickers, children received crayons, stickers, images to color and handouts about voting and the flag. Adults appreciated the Resource Guide, information about the primary election, and about Vote 411.
| |
LWVBC members JoAnne Himebaugh and Pam Raider help a young voter while her mother observes. Photo courtesy of Cathy Rountree. | | | LWV Brown County at the Fair
Source: LWVBC President Shari Frank
The 4H Fair is always a fun way for LWVBC members to meet and greet the community and to engage with kids in voting. Kids who voted for “The Best Pet” received a little goodie bag with stickers, coloring pages and crayons – but their favorite by far was the “I Voted” stickers. For “Best Pet” the winner this time around was a Dog in a tight race, with a Cat losing by 2 out of 75 total votes! (See article in this edition on the “Family Fest” to see ‘who’ won that election). Bird was third place, with other pets named including snake, chinchilla, capybara, hamster, horse, pig and rabbit! (I had to look up a couple of these critters to even know what they are!)
We gave out lots of bookmarks with important Election dates, info on Vote 411-the place for all the election information you need, and more. Many thanks to the LWVBC Members who volunteered at the LWVBC Table: Laura Blackthorn, Shari Frank, Denny Kubal, Sunny Leerkamp, Heather Mollo, Pam Raider, Pam Raisor, Cathy Rountree, Laurie Teal. |  | | Thanks to all League members who volunteered to run the table at the 4-H Fair this year. |  | LWVBC handy bookmark with Election dates. Pick one up at the Brown County Library. | | |
Upcoming Government Meetings
Source: http://www.browncounty-in.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=14
Did you know? You can sign up to receive meeting agendas, alerts government job postings and more here.
Brown County Commissioners (all meetings in the Salmon Room): July 3, 2:00 pm; July 17, 6:00 pm
Brown County Council (all meetings in the Salmon Room): July 15, 6:30 pm
Town of Nashville Council: June 20, 6:30 pm; July 18, 6:30 pm | June Diversity Calendar
Source: https://www.diversityresources.com/june-diversity-calendar-2024/
June is recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, honoring the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, which were a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.
Caribbean American Heritage Month: June is also Caribbean American Heritage Month, celebrating the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean and its diaspora.
June 12: Loving Day, the anniversary of an historic court decision for interracial marriage
| What’s YOUR District?
Redistricting occurs every 10 years after the decennial U.S. Census. To see the Indiana counties included in your Congressional District, go to https://iga.in.gov/publications/maps/congressional-districts/IndianaCongressionalDistrictMap2021.pdf.
To view the townships and counties included in your State Senate District, go here: https://iga.in.gov/publications/maps/senate-districts/IndianaSenateDistrictMap2021.pdf.
To see the townships and counties included in your State Representative District, go here: https://iga.in.gov/publications/maps/house-districts/IndianaHouseDistrictMap2021.pdf.
County Council, County Commissioner and School Board District Maps are available upon request.
HOW HAVE DISTRICTS CHANGED? See how Congressional districts for Brown County have changed over the years: https://what-the-district.aclu.org/?ids=2007-2016-2025-2232-2241-2252-2265-2275 (Enter another zip code for other areas). | Here’s How to Contact Your State, Federal, Local Legislators
A list is provided below of the legislators who serve Brown County. For contact information on other state representatives and state senators, go to https://iga.in.gov/information/find-legislators. For information about your Congressional Representative, go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.
For information on your County Representatives and meetings for Boards, County Commissioners and County Council:
State Senator Eric Koch (District 44)
Website: https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/koch; Email: Senator.Koch@iga.in.gov
Legislative Assistant: Lucy Lynch lucy.lynch@iga.in.gov 317-234-9425
Phone: 800-382-9467 or 317-232-9400
Address: Indiana State Senate, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204
State Representative District 62 Dave Hall
Website: https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/members/general/dave-hall/
Legislative Assistant: Drew Sellers 317-232-9863 drew.sellers@iga.in.gov
Address: Indiana House of Representatives, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis IN 46204
9th Congressional District U.S. Representative Erin Houchin
Website: https://houchin.house.gov/; Phone: 202-225-5315; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepHouchin
Address: 1632 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515
U.S. Senator Mike Braun
Website: https://www.braun.senate.gov; Phone: 202-224-4814; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikebraunforindiana
Address: 404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510
U.S. Senator Todd Young
Website: www.young.senate.gov; Phone: 202-224-5623; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorToddYoung
Address: 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510
Governor Eric Holcomb
Website: https://www.in.gov/gov/; Phone: 317-232-4567; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GovHolcomb/
Address: Office of the Governor, Statehouse, Indianapolis IN 46204-2797
Brown County Council
Gary Huett (President) David Redding (Vice-President)
Darren Byrd Jim Kemp
Joel Kirby Scott Rudd
Judy Swift-Powdrill CountyCouncil@browncounty-in.us
Brown County Commissioners
Jerry Pittman, President (District 3) 317-966-1724 pittmanj@browncounty-in.us
Blake Wolpert (District 1) 317-371-5091 wolpertb@browncounty-in.us
Ron Sanders (District 2) 812-947-3504 SandersR@browncounty-in.us
Town of Nashville Council
Andi Wilson, President awilson@townofnashville.org
Dave Rudd, Vice President drudd@townofnashville.org
Lance Miller lmiller@townofnashville.org
Rex Watters III rexwatters@townofnashville.org
Scott Dick sdick@townofnashville.org
| Educate • Advocate • Empower • Reform
We cordially invite you to join us.
We encourage you to learn more about the League by attending our meetings and other events, including legislator forums and Meet the Candidates. Membership is not required to attend these meetings and events.
Annual Membership Dues*:
$50/Individual $85/Couple $20/Friend of the League (non-voting)
Your dues include membership in the national, state, and local leagues.
*Membership Scholarships available. Email us for more information: browncountylwv@gmail.com
To join or to send a donation, mail your check payable to LWVBC, PO Box 74, Nashville IN 47448. Please include your name, address, phone, and email
| LWVBC Meeting Schedule
LWVBC business meetings are held virtually the second Monday of each month. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 8, 6:00 pm via Zoom. League Members, Friends, and the public are welcome to join the meeting.
To participate in the meeting and receive the Zoom link, contact League President Shari Frank at browncountylwv@gmail.com.
The deadline for submission of articles for the July newsletter is 5:00 pm Friday, July 12.
The Brown County VOTER is published monthly. Please send your articles and/or suggestions to LWVBC at browncountylwv@gmail.com. | |