March - April 2026 Bulletin Issue 57
| In this issue: SAVE America Act - No Kings III - Voter Services Opportunities - Advocate for the Environment - DEI Bookshelf - Women’s History Month - Membership - Partner Events: Composting / Learn about MAID / ACT Now Albany | Reminder - Building League Leadership
Any member who is interested in learning more about the League and serving in a leadership position, contact Mary Berry, chair of LWVAC’s nominations committee, | URGENT! Advocate for Voters' Rights!
Contact your Senators - again - to oppose the "SAVE America" Act!
Regardless of political affiliations, protecting and defending the right of all people to vote is at the very core of the League's mission and identity. The SAVE America Act is a growing threat to the right to vote and to our democracy. It will come to the floor of the Senate this week. If there is ever a time for members of the League to put themselves on record, that time is now.
Senator Schumer's phone number is (202) 224-6542. Email him at contact Schumer.
Senator Gillibrand's phone number is (202) 224-4451. Email her at contact Gillibrand.
| | LWVAC is Taking Part in No Kings III
Saturday, March 28, 1- 3 pm on Central Avenue near Colvin in Albany
We’ll let you know soon where you can find your League friends with our table and materials, including new Constitutional Amendment signs.
| | | Voter Services: Empowering Voters
Help with Voter Registration and Candidates Forum
To volunteer, contact Voter Services Chair Deb Liebman
- YMCA Youth and Government Conference, March 21, 2026, 7:30 pm at the Desmond Hotel.
- Albany Tulip Festival, May 9 and 10, many volunteers needed for 3-hour shifts, and also to set-up and break-down.
- Lush store in Crossgates Mall and branches of Albany Public Library in early June, dates to be finalized.
- School Board Candidate Forums in May. We’ll need moderators, timers and question vetters.
The High School Voter Registration Team “Springs” into Action
Contact Maureen Bernstein with questions or to respond.
HS Team Spring Meeting, Monday, March 16, 6-8 pm, Honest Weight Food Coop’s Community Room. We will review accomplishments in the schools’ first semester and our Students Inside Albany (SIA) competition, then discuss Voter Registrations with high school students, and Naturalization ceremonies coming up in at least two of the schools. You are welcome to join us!
| Advocate for the Environment
Defend New York’s Climate Law - Emergency Rally
Wednesday, March 25, 10:30 am - 4:00 pm, Legislative Office Building, 3rd Floor Terrace, 198 State Street, Albany
Governor Hochul is talking about weakening our landmark Climate Law through the state budget, due April 1. Join us to urge our lawmakers to stand firm: No climate law rollbacks in the budget! RSVP
Beyond Plastics PRRIA Rally and Lobby Day
Monday, May 11, 10 am- 4 pm, Empire State Plaza – Concourse, Conference Rooms 2, 3, and 4
Come wearing your LWV pin, because this is a LWVNY priority bill.
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRIA), a LWVNY priority bill for several years, ended last year’s legislative session within a hair’s breadth of passing. We hope for good news from the current legislative session and you can help! You’ll meet people from across the state, hear energizing speakers, and help make a case for this bill in meetings with legislators. RSVP no later than May 1.
MEANTIME sign a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to bring the Packaging Reduction Act to a vote. (Beyond Plastics, the lead organizer, will not share your information nor add you to their email list.) | | DEI Bookshelf
You Are Not an American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers by Amanda Frost
In this troubling work, law professor Amanda Frost explores the history of the American government’s attempts, successful and unsuccessful, to revoke the citizenship of those considered “un-American." From the 19th century on, the United States has had contradictory ideas of who gets to be an American and, more importantly, who is a citizen. “Citizenship stripping exemplifies the bundle of contradictions that is the United States of America.” The struggle to live up the promises made in the Declaration of Independence - that all men are created equal - continues. (Read our entire commentary.) | | | It's Women's History Month
Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future
New York State Capitol, Governors Reception Room through March 2026
This Women's History Month exhibit honors New York women whose work in science, conservation, and environmental justice has supported people and the planet for over 150 year. Learn more about it.
| |
Bread & Roses. League members from Albany and Rensselaer Counties were among the many women and men who celebrated at the Bread & Roses International Women’s Day luncheon at the Greater Capital Region YWCA in Troy. From left: Nell Stokes, Marie Gavazzi, Aimee Allaud, Joanne Shawhan, MaryKate Owens, Patricia Maxon, Wendy Dury-Samson, Paula Brewer, Joan Rogers, Pam Bentien. | | | | David Auge, Albany
Kimberly Bullis-Rauh, Albany
|
| Kimberly Mooers, Delmar
Kelsey Parala, Troy
Shanta Pointer, Troy |
|
| Kathleen Reilly, Latham
Diana Straut, Voorheesville |
|
The Membership Committee Can Use Your Help
Whether you’re a new or long-time member, contact Membership co-chairs Barry Z. Davis and Pat Maxon to join the committee to help:
-
Develop effective communications to attract and retain new members.
-
Orient new members to the League’s work, and help develop League leaders.
-
Make connections between members’ talents and League programs.
-
Help keep membership information up to date.
| Coming Up
Composting Year Round in Colonie!
The first year-round, 24/7 Town of Colonie Food Scraps Drop Spot will be launched in April. If you live in or near the Town of Colonie and are interested in participating, an in-person training is taking place Monday evening, March 16, and a virtual training is coming up on April 29. Sign up here.
Saturday April 18, 11 am to 3 pm, will be the official launch of the Colonie Food Scraps Drop Spot, along with ZeroWaste’s ReUse-A-Palooza Celebration & Fundraiser. For more information see ZeroWasteCD.org.
| 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.
| |