A Message from Bunny Bond, HCTDW Vice-President
The April meeting was scheduled to host a speaker from Texas Freedom Network which is a state organization based in Austin. TFN is celebrating 25 years of supporting the following issues: education, textbook censorship, religious freedom, LGBTQ rights and reproductive rights. My hope would be that you search for tfn.org and log on to read about its work.
On the menu bar click on these three selections to learn more: Issues, Resources and About. I am on the email list and find it very helpful to stay in touch with TFN work and issues I support. If you do not want emails, log on and read the blog.
And most important, check out the Get Involved tab on the menu bar. As always, donations to support the work of TFN are most welcome, and there is a Donate tab.
Standing Tall & Stepping Up
The Texas Democratic Women 2020 State Convention, February 7 – 9
Report of Val Ostarch
It was my pleasure to attend the state convention as the representative of our Hill Country TDW. Saturday proved to be an action-packed day. One recurrent theme of the convention as a whole was that there can be no statewide wins without winning rural areas.
The annual business meeting chaired ably by Maria Regalado proceeded with alacrity as committee chairs gave reports. The mayor of Austin urged unity in this difficult time. We also received greetings from a representative of the Democratic National Committee, the Honorable Betty Richter. Just before breaking for lunch, Texas Democratic Party chairman Gilberto Hinojosa counseled that we must not let Trump divide us from “playing a part in saving the world.”
The Star Awards Luncheon began with a conventional motivational speaker, Donna Lipman, recommending that we “notice, choose, act, and motivate” as we face the 2020 elections. Then, members and chapters received Star Awards and other recognitions.
At 1:30, approximately 35 candidates for state and national elections electrified our midst. Candidates spoke for three minutes each explaining what they were running for as well as their qualifications. We heard from those running for statewide offices and justices for the Supreme Court and then four opponents running against John Cornyn, all of whom were quite impressive. The range of female candidates has never been stronger.
The session workshops which followed were not particularly enlightening. We who live in Kerrville know everything which was covered in “Taking TDW to Rural Texas” which consisted of three members telling their personal stories of being invisible and how Democratic friends have to gather up other Democratic friends. The second workshop on Get Out the Vote was very basic.
A cocktail reception at the Gala Awards Dinner allowed a pleasant time to meet and speak with other TDW members from all over our state. The keynote address, delivered by Genevieve Van Cleve, State Director of All On the Line, entertained us Molly Ivins-type fashion which took our minds away from the past impeachment debacle, and reminded us of the necessity of taking over the Texas Legislature for a fair redistricting process, which is what her organization is all about.
Please think of attending our statewide TDW convention next year.
Pictured at the Texas Democratic Women’s Convention in Austin:
Stephanie Ertel; Sylvia Ostos;
Rebecca Bell Metereau, candidate for State Board of Education #5; Val Ostarch.
At the March meeting, HCTDW members were able to hear from some of the candidates vying for places in the upcoming Democratic Primary. Pictured with Sylvia Ostos, HCTDW president, are Jack Daniel Foster, Jr. (U.S. Senate); Joe P. Herrera (Texas State Representative, D53); Jennie Lou Leeder (U.S. Representative D21); Chris Bell (U.S. Senate) and Michael Cooper (U.S. Senate). Also speaking at the meeting was Rebecca Bell-Metereau, candidate for State Board of Education D5.
Kerr County Democratic Party
Kerr County Democratic Party Monthly Social & General Meeting
Friday, February 21, 2.21. 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Wine Down Friday at Democratic Party Headquarters, 814 Main.
Sunday, February 23 11:30
Brunch at Schreiner University Dining Hall
Go to kerrcountydemocrats.org to learn about Democratic activities in Kerr County.
To receive emails from the Kerr County Democratic Party, email Barbara Veldhuizen at barbara4kerrdems@gmail.com and ask her to add you to her list.
Gillespie County Democrats
Wednesday, February 19, 6:30 p.m
GCDA monthly meeting, Democratic Headquarters, 209 N. Crockett, Suite 1
Thursday, February 27, 6:30 p.m.
Candidate Forum with State Board of Education candidates, Democratic Headquarters
GCDA meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month, 6:30 p.m. at the Gillespie County Democratic Party Headquarters, 209 N. Crockett, Suite 1, Fredericksburg
For infomation, go to gillespiedemocrats.org.
Democratic Women of Comal County
Join DWCC for a monthly meeting:
2nd Friday of every month, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Tye Preston Memorial Library, Canyon Lake
3rd Monday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m., New Braunfels Public Library, New Braunfels
3rd Wednesday of every month, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Mammen Family Public Library, Bulverde
Visit democraticwomenofcomalcounty.com for more information.
Medina County Democrats
Medina County Democrats meet the third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Tuesday, December 17, 6 p.m. at Braden Keller Center in Castroville.
Bandera County Democratic Club
Monthly Meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Bandera Electric Co-op Building Meeting Room on Highway 16 north of Bandera. Potluck at 11:30 a.m.; meeting at 2 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. at Mendoza’s in Bandera, 680 State Highway 16S
For information, write Eloise Clayton ekc@att.net
Chair of the Bandera County Democratic Party: Lynn Oliver, 210-687-9701
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Find HCTDW on Facebook
HCTDW invites members to “like” our Facebook page:
Texas Democratic Women of the Hill Country.
Websites
HCTDW: hillcountrytxdemocraticwomen.org
Kerr County Democrats: kerrcountydemocrats.org
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Newsletter
If you have information for the newsletter or know someone who would like to receive it, please write Jeannie Berger at jsberger@twc.com. You are welcome to forward this newsletter to anyone who would be interested.
