Dear Virginia Activist,

I thought you should be made aware of the budget cut that the House of Delegates is proposing: a 31% cut in funding to domestic violence and sexual assault programs. This cut will obviously have a drastic negative affect to families already in precarious situations.

Between now and Saturday the conferees are meeting to develop a compromise bill. (The Senate is proposing no cuts to these programs.)

There is also an amendment they are considering to institute a $45 fee on marriage licenses. This would keep current funding levels intact.

For additional information contact Stacey Ruble at SRuble@VSDVAlliance.org or 804.377.0335

Laura Mandala

Action STILL Needed to Protect Funding for Domestic Violence Services!

We need to get a strong message to the House and Senate Conferees to protect funding for domestic violence services by supporting an increase in the marriage license fee to $45, as proposed in the Senate budget. The funds generated with this fee increase will help restore the domestic violence programs funding which is cut by 31% in the House budget. What we are proposing is a compromise – the $15 increase ($30 to $45) in the marriage license will preserve the opportunity to provide services to children and youth without sacrificing services to adult victims.

What Must I Do to Help?

Its simple…Letters, letters, and more letters!!!

Write a personal letter to each of the Senate and House Conferees even if they are not your Delegate or Senator

1. Fax the letters immediately to their Richmond Offices (See Attached for Conferee Mailing Addresses and Fax Numbers)
2. Mail the original to their Richmond offices no later than Thursday, March 11, 2010
3. We encourage you to “cc” your Delegate and/or Senator and fax them a copy of the letter to the Conferees.
   1. If you do not know who your state Senator or Delegate is, go to: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform.
   2. For Delegate fax numbers, go to http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView and click on your Delegate.
   3. The Senate fax # is (804) 698-7651

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of sending letters. We must make a lot of NOISE to be heard! Calls, while important at the start of this process, are not going to be enough to get our funding restored!!!

Key Points to include in a Letter

1. Mention that the House proposes to cut funding for domestic violence services by 31%–discuss why you believe funding for domestic violence services needs to be a priority.
2. Share a recent and compelling example of how the domestic violence program’s shelter and/or advocacy services make a difference to victims of domestic violence in your community.
3. Mention that the Senate proposed a $15 increase in the marriage license fee, making it $45, to fund domestic violence services and why you would support this fee increase to save domestic violence services in your community.

Is there a Sample Letter for me to Use?

We have been intentional about not providing sample letters. These are not as effective as communications that have a personal touch and tone. In lieu of a Sample Letter, we have provided a short list of key points for you to address in your letters to the Conferees. It is our hope that these can help you frame your message.

Our objective is to have your letters stand out, be read, and make a difference! If they are personalized, we have a better chance of making that happen!

For an example of how to format a letter to a Delegate/Senator, please visit:
http://legis.virginia.gov/1_cit_guide/contacting_my.html

If you have any questions or concerns about this information, please contact the Action Alliance Co-Directors, Jeanine Beiber or Kristi VanAudenhove at directors@vsdvalliance.org or 804-377-0335. Thank you for your support!

Address postal inquiries to:
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alli
5008 Monument Ave.
Ste. A
Richmond, VA 23230

Calling all VaDWC Members

The Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus Jefferson Jackson Weekend Kick-Off Breakfast

Saturday March 20, 2010 8:00 am
The Hilton Garden Inn, Richmond, Virginia

Speakers are Delegate Betsy Carr and Delegate Charniele Herring

Keynote by Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn

click here

Sponsorship Levels purchase tickets now, click here

• Titanium: $2,500 - 2 seats at the head table
• Platinum: $1,000 - 8 seats or two tickets at the head table
• Gold: $500 – 4 tickets
• Silver: $250 - 2 tickets
• Individual sponsor – $100
• Individual ticket – $50.00

For information about or volunteering for the event please contact Julie Turner (202 841-9117 or jturnerdcc@verizon.net).



Robert Shetterly's portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt

I was fortunate to have a few minutes of conversation with Mr. Shetterly last night and found him a fascinating individual who gave me permission to post his work on our blog.

He began his artistic career as a surrealist painter but found himself in 2001, after the current events –9-11 Attacks, US foreign policy, conservation, economic injustice – not content with that work nor content with nature of politics and the media and the truth not being told. So, out of his frustration he painted his first portrait – that of Walt Whitman – the first “truth teller”. He found this was his was to channel his anger and grief with current events. He began studying history of great “truth tellers” to include over 100 to date. Below is quote from Mr. Shetterly. I hope you will visit his website and enjoy his portraits as much as I did. http://americanswhotellthetruth.org

“I began painting this series of portraits — finding great Americans who spoke the truth and combining their images with their words — nearly three years ago as a way of to channel my anger and grief. In the process my respect and love for these people and their courage helped to transform that anger into hope and pride and allowed me to draw strength from this community of truth tellers, finding in them the courage, honesty, tolerance, generosity, wisdom and compassion that have made our country strong. One lesson that can be learned from all of these Americans is that the greatness of our country frequently depends not on the letter of the law, but the insistence of a single person that we adhere to the spirit of the law.

My original goal was to paint fifty portraits. I’ve now gone beyond that and have decided to paint several more. The more I’ve learned about American history — past and present — the more people I’ve discovered whom I want to honor in this way. The paintings will not be for sale. They will stay together as a group. The courage of these individuals needs to remain a part of a great tradition, a united effort in respect for the truth. Eventually, I will give the portraits to one museum or library on the condition that they continue to be shown. These people form the well from which we must draw our future.”

Mayor Joan Foster

The Farm Team is pleased to announce its endorsement and full support of Mayor Joan  Foster for re-election for Mayor of Lynchburg.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/local/article/foster_to_officially_announce_re-election_campaign_today/24478/

Krystal Ball for Congress

We encourage you to visit her website and volunteer for her campaign www.KrystalBallforcongress.com

• 70% of those living in poverty are women
• 45 million girls are currently denied an education
• Women in poor countries grow more than 60% of the food but own less than 1% of the land
• Every minute a woman dies as a result of pregnancy complications

Violence against women must stop before equality is achieved, says ActionAid.

Eliminating violence against women is inseparable from achieving equality for women, says ActionAid on International Women’s Day.

One in three women will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or abused in her lifetime - and in conflicts, the situation is exacerbated.
In a new report called Her Stories, African women tell remarkable accounts of how they have overcome violence and discrimination in appalling circumstances.

The women, from Burundi, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have all taken part in ActionAid’s project, aimed at reducing violence against women and have been provided with legal, psychosocial support, livelihoods training and lobbying advice.

The stories show how, despite horrific experiences, with help, survivors of violence can find the strength and self-confidence to increase their own protection.

“We feel we’ve made a big step forward,” said Lucie Ntamuzuro, a farmer in Burundi.  “We’ve already dealt with twelve rape cases and several cases of domestic violence. People are no longer indifferent to violence against women in our commune. They speak out against it and we help victims initiate legal proceedings.

“We’ve also understood that the most important thing is to make the first step. The proverb ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ is quite correct.”

Sarah Harrison, ActionAid’s project coordinator, said it had assisted women to secure justice for rights violations, re-integrating survivors back into communities, changing attitudes and opinions towards violence against women.

“Central to that success has been the strength, resilience and resourcefulness of the women themselves, as well as the commitment and dedication of those working with women’s groups and movements.”

Roseline Watta Beah, ActionAid’s facilitator in Sierra Leone, summed up the women’s feelings: “The project has been a journey from a place called nowhere to a place called hope. But hope here is built on shaky ground, needing consolidation if we don’t want to be sent back to nowhere.”

It is hoped the booklet will inform and influence further projects and ensure that the voices of the women ActionAid works with, will be heard loud and clear.
© ActionAid

From original Farm Team Post

We are so excited to have Senator Klobuchar as our speaker at the JJ Dinner
this year. To read more about the Senator visit her website at
http://klobuchar.senate.gov/

Please join Krystal Ball

Democratic Candidate for Congress VA-1

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

2pm – 6pm

105 William Street

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Please join us to meet Krystal Ball, ask her questions and let her know the issues concerning you and your community this year.

Please RSVP to (888) 577-2010 or Info@KrystalBallforCongress.com

For campaign information please visit: www.KrystalBallforCongress.com