July- August 2025 Bulletin Issue 53
| Annual Meeting Follow-up
With a wonderful turnout of members at our June 28th annual meeting, we adopted our 2025-26 Program of Local Issues and Positions for study and action within Albany County, as well as our budget for the coming year. We heard energizing comments from WAMC CEO Sarah Gilbert and viewed We Are the League, 2024-25 Year in Review. And, of course, we elected board officers and directors (pictured at the bottom of this bulletin) and honored new lifetime members Joanne Esposito and Francine Franks. Thank you to all who attended, as well as to all of you who have taken part in our projects, service and work during the past year. | LWVAC Action and Advocacy | | Good Trouble Lives On Day of Action
While the League's July 17th rally was cancelled due to heat advisories and predictions of thunderstorms, we were pleased to be able to provide voting information and registration help to community members at the Delaware Avenue and Pine Hills Albany Libraries and at Honest Weight Food Coop.
Sincere thanks to our volunteers, Joanne Shawhan and Anna Maria Varney (pictured), Donna Dixon, Liz Gudet, Meg Maurer, Lacey Putnam and Jen McCormick. | | |
New York State Advocacy
LWVAC advocates Cathy Dryden, Barry Davis, Anne Erling, Christine Florez, and Richard Rifkin met with five New York State legislators during the May 6 Legislative Day to discuss environmental bills, same day voting registration, and criminal justice. State Legislative successes this year included passage of the Medical Aid In Dying bill, the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) bill, and part of the NY HEAT Act. All now await the Governor’s signature. Read more in the May & June 2025 Action and Advocacy Report as well as in Environmental Efforts During the Legislative Session.
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| | | Federal Judiciary Position
The League of Women Voters US (LWVUS) has announced the adoption of a new Position on the Federal Judiciary that was developed over the past year with the participation of the 321 leagues, including LWVAC. The position asserts that the principles of transparency, accountability, independence, and ethics are essential for an effective Federal Judiciary and a strong democracy. It provides a guide as we monitor activities by our elected Representatives and the Federal Judiciary in our area, and will enable the League to act on legislative and executive efforts to reform the Federal Judiciary. The position will be added to the next LWVUS Impact on Issues document. | Attend the UN Climate Conference - COP30 - Virtually
August 15 Deadline for November Conference
Every year the League of Women Voters sends an official delegation to the United Nations climate conference, the international Conference of the Parties (COP). As a member of LWV, you can request to be part of that delegation. One or two members represent the LWVUS in person (paying their own expenses) and in recent years many others join virtually.
This year's COP30 runs November 10-21 in Belem, Brazil. Virtual delegates spend up to two weeks of full days, choosing from an extensive list of events to observe -- plenary sessions with international leaders and staff, informational panels, working meetings, press conferences -- and report back. For more information, contact Anne Erling, who has virtually attended the last two COPs, via lwvac@lwvalbany.org. To request being added to the virtual delegation, send your name, date of birth, passport number, and League name to Robin Tokmakian by August 15. | | DEI Bookshelf
The Heritage: Black Athletes: A Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism by Howard Bryant
In this powerful thought-provoking book, sportswriter Howard Bryant illuminates the connection between sports, money, and the fight for social justice. He describes the struggles of Black athletes, which mirror the efforts of ordinary Black people to be treated the same as White Americans, for the Black mind to be valued as much as the Black body.
| | | Upcoming Events
LWVAC School Voter Registration Team Meeting
Tuesday, July 22, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Honest Weight Coop Community Room, 100 Watervliet Ave, Albany
Anyone with an interest in working with our newest eligible voters is welcome to join us. Contact Marggie Skinner and Maureen Bernstein via lwvac@lwvalbany.org.
Democracy Defenders Webinar: Testifying at a Hearing or Public Meeting
Wednesday, July 23, 6:00 pm, Online
Join LWVNYS Executive Director Erica Smitka, who will host an online meeting that covers tips and skills to properly testify during a hearing or public meeting. Click here to register.
Downtown Albany Strategy Public Workshop #1
Wednesday, August 6, 5:30- 7:30 (4:30 open house with refreshments)
Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle Street 1st Level, Albany
Members of the public are invited to attend the first public workshop for the Downtown Albany Strategy. Residents, business owners, workers, and neighbors ideas will shape investments in better public spaces, safer streets, new housing, and stronger small businesses. (Free parking in the Albany Capital Center’s Parking Garage beneath the facility, 7 Wendell Street)
| | Meg Maurer, Albany
Angelina Mantoo, Altamont
Suhana Kiran, Watervliet
Jessica Damrath, Albany
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| Thomas Mckee, Albany
Elaine Reder, Cohoes
Sophie LaForest, Albany
Kathleen Rosch, Albany |
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| Emily Stewart, Delmar
Amy Clinton, Watervliet
Reba Architzel, Albany |
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LWVAC Board of Directors 2025-26
Elected at the June 28, 2025 Annual Meeting |  | | MaryKate Owens, President |
 | | Deborah Liebman, 1st Vice President |
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 | | Christine Deyss, 2nd Vice President |
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 | | Britt Westergard, Secretary |
 | Nicholas McDonald, Treasurer
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 | | Lars Dahl, Director |
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 | | Barry Davis, Director |
 | Wendy Dury-Samson, Director
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 | | Anne Erling, Director |
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 | | Christine Florez, Director |
 | Alissa Maynard, Director
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 | | Richard Rifkin, Director |
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 | Joanne Shawhan, Director
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 | | Patricia Sibilia, Director |
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan grassroots organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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