Despite the Heat Pride Must Go On 

By: WIN Leadership

     The heat wave did not let up in time for Pride festivities yet many people braved the high temperatures to enjoy the day. There were several performers, food and local vendors. The State Theater remained open to allow folks to come inside to cool off and grab a drink or two. We always enjoy participating in this event year after year...read more   

Cancer Awareness Luncheon and Fashion Show  

By Crystal G, WIN President

     Sisters United celebrated its 20th Annual Cancer Awareness event Saturday, May 11th, 2024, in the Mercantile Building at the Clark County Fairgrounds. The organization donated $20,000 to purchase 20 new infusion chairs for the Springfield Cancer Center. In addition to enjoying the fashion show, audience members heard from speaker Dr. Sharon Malone, a retired board-certified physician, and author of Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy...read more

Honoring Sully Jaymes
By: Becky W, WIN Member

     This past June 8th, a celebration was held at a new pocket park named for and dedicated to the memory of Springfield’s first Black-activist lawyers, Sully Jaymes.  A marker was erected detailing his remarkable and ground-breaking contributions to our city over a century ago. The park is located at 1615 Woodward Avenue...read more 

"Nevertheless, She Persisted": Springfield’s own Ernestine Garrett Lucas

By: Sheila S, WIN Member

     I was 21 when I began my first teaching position at Keifer Junior High.  One of the staff members that welcomed me and mentored me was math teacher Ernestine Lucas. (Though I didn’t know her, I did know her son, who was in my high school graduating class.) Her caring and practical advice made that year much easier and I treasure her for the mentoring and support she gave me...read more 

The Leaked SCOTUS Abortion Ruling Is a Victory—Or Is It?

By: Becky W, WIN Member

     This past spring, the U.S. Supreme Court accidentally released its ruling on Moyle v. United States, seemingly approving emergency abortions in Idaho—a state with a total abortion ban. However, the justices later back-pedaled and kicked their decision down to a lower court for a final ruling. This was done purely for political reasons. As the majority of the justices are Republican, they did not want to dissuade far right voters from voting for GOP candidates in November...read more  

FIGHT GENDER APARTHEID!
By: Clara C, WIN Member

     I recently received an email from Ellie Smeal of the Feminist Majority Foundation. I’d like to pass it along and have highlighted some parts of the article that are especially crucial. If you would like to read the whole U.N. Report on the Taliban Gender Apartheid, please contact me here and I will forward the information to you. If you are interested in sending an Emergency Action email urging the U.S. and U.N. to continue their non-recognition of the Taliban until they end Gender Apartheid and their crimes against humanity, I can send you that information too...read more  

Our President Supports Women's Health 

By Becky W, WIN Member

     On March 18, 2024, President Biden issued the Executive Order on Advancing Women’s Health Research and Innovation. This is a great boon to women, who have specific health needs throughout their lives that vary greatly from men.

     For decades, biomedical research undervalued and often excluded women.  As a consequence, we still know far too little about women’s unique physical changes during their lifespans. Even for diseases that can impact both sexes, it was generations before the medical community understood that women can often exhibit symptoms of serious illnesses quite differently than men....read more

Dion Green, Democratic Candidate for Ohio House District 39 

By: Becky W, WIN Member

     On August 3rd, 2019, Dion Green was at the Oregon District in Dayton, enjoying a night out with his father, Derrick Fudge. Suddenly, a gunman opened fire on the crowd, killing and injuring people indiscriminately. Of the nine killed, Derrick was one of them. Dion held his father in his arms as he passed.

     Instead of succumbing to his grief, Dion Green founded the Fudge Foundation, dedicated to stemming the scourge of gun violence, addressing mental health, and teaching youth alternatives to violence. The Fudge Foundation hosts a number of events each year in remembrance of the victims of the Oregon District shooting. At the time of this publication the Fudge Foundation will be in the fifth week of their Mentorship and Leadership Development Summer Camp for low-risk offenders...read more. 

Gammon House Juneteenth Festivities Celebrate First Phase of “Gammon Green” 

By WIN Leadership

Gammon House President Dale Henry kicked off Juneteenth festivities in Springfield with a warm welcome to everyone followed by a groundbreaking ceremony in conjunction with the city for Gammon Square. Gammon Square is a conceptual plan designed to increase the stature and presence of the historic 19th century Gammon House, a site on the Underground Railroad. The project’s initial phase will include new brick pavers and the creation of access for tour buses. 

A hoped for future phase will culminate in a Gammon House Interpretive Center to be known as Gammon Green. In this regard, President Henry announced the contribution of a new Gammon House bench in memory of Dr. Henry “Hank” Jud, by Dr. Jud’s family, along with the family’s establishment of the Dr. Henry Jud Memorial Fund in Support of a Future Gammon House Interpretive Center. Immediately following the groundbreaking ceremony, Dr. Jud’s granddaughter Jasmine Sampson presided at the dedication of the new bench, which faces one donated previously by the Springfield Chapter of The Links. The family members served light Juneteenth refreshments....read more

Because We Are Women 

By: Becky W, WIN Member

     On August 3rd, 2019, Dion Green was at the Oregon District in Dayton, enjoying a night out with his father, Derrick Fudge. Suddenly, a gunman opened fire on the crowd, killing and injuring people indiscriminately. Of the nine killed, Derrick was one of them. Dion held his father in his arms as he passed.

     Instead of succumbing to his grief, Dion Green founded the Fudge Foundation, dedicated to stemming the scourge of gun violence, addressing mental health, and teaching youth alternatives to violence. The Fudge Foundation hosts a number of events each year in remembrance of the victims of the Oregon District shooting. At the time of this publication the Fudge Foundation will be in the fifth week of their Mentorship and Leadership Development Summer Camp for low-risk offenders...read more. 

Relevant Reads for Progressives

THEME: Book Banning

By Rebecca (Becky) W

Non-Fiction:

Title: That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America | Author:  Amanda Jones | Publication Date: Bloomsbury Publishing, 8/27/24

     In 2022, the author, a librarian in a small town in Louisiana, attended a public meeting to discuss the content of the books available at the town’s library and in its schools. Alarmed to hear the outcry against books related to race, LGBT+ people, and “anti-Christian” philosophies, she spoke up and declared that she’d be damned if she would allow book banning in her community.

...read more