Groups that want to put a proposal before voters this fall to enshrine abortion into the Ohio constitution took their petition signature gathering efforts for a “trial run" this weekend, knowing they have a short timeline to make the ballot. And they say it was a...
In The Press
Women show their support during drive-through signature event in Chagrin Falls for abortion-rights amendment
They drove Saturday to Heritage Park, filtering in one car after another, to seek change in Ohio’s abortion law. Marla Zwinggi, who was hailed as a “Vaccine Queen” during the pandemic, organized a drive-through signature event for an abortion-rights constitutional...
Abortion-rights activists begin collecting signatures for Ohio ballot initiative
On Monday came the announcement that abortion-rights activists could begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that, if passed, would amend the Ohio Constitution to allow abortion until fetal viability in the state. "In Bainbridge in Geauga County, we will...
Commentary: Banning books is a futile practice serving no deed
Last March, I was invited by Christine Pearl ’11 to facilitate a book club session on my second favorite Toni Morrison novel, “Beloved.” The session was an extension of the efforts of the nonprofit organization Red Wine & Blue, whose mission is to empower and...
It’s Black History Month and NC Republicans Introduced a Bill to Limit Teaching of Black History
Renee Sekel, a Cary mom who works for the NC chapter of Red Wine & Blue, a group that seeks to mobilize suburban moms to get involved in politics, also opposes the bill. “I think most parents—and most kids—want our schools to teach accurate and complete history. ...
Stateside Podcast: The parents on the other side of the phone
On the night of the shooting at Michigan State University, students faced four hours of a shelter-in-place order. During that time many students were in communication with their parents; texting and calling them. On the other end of the phone, parents had to manage...
Reproductive rights advocates tell legislators to reject more abortion restrictions
Janice Robinson recalled a scary time when she was a pregnant 15-year-old in South Carolina, almost 50 years ago. Her mother took her to have an abortion. Her mother took her not to a medical doctor, but someone unlicensed and working in secret. Robinson said she...
After Oxford, gun violence advocates felt helpless. But there’s hope for change in Michigan now.
Kelly Dillaha, the mother of twins who attend MSU and were barricaded in their room just off campus during the mass shooting, said the school could not have done anything differently to prevent Monday’s violence. What would make a difference, she said, is gun reform....
‘We all ran for our lives’: MSU students describe mass shooting as a never-ending nightmare
Michigan State University students are angry. Yes, they are traumatized; yes, they are overwhelmed with grief and sadness. They know they will need mental health support in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. But, right now, in the wake of three students being...
MSU mom, anti-gun violence advocate calls for solutions after campus shooting
A Michigan State University mother and anti-gun violence advocate says Monday’s deadly shooting on campus reinforces her efforts to achieve sensible gun control. Kelly Dillaha’s phone was flooded Monday night with messages from concerned friends asking about her twin...
Recent Posts
Okay, But Why Are There So Many New Voting Laws?
We’ve all been seeing voting rights in the news a lot lately, with things like the SAVE Act. States have passed nearly 100 restrictive voting laws in the last 10 years. And just this year, President Trump signed an executive order that he claimed to be about protecting the integrity of our elections. “Election integrity” sounds like a good thing, but what happens when we read the fine print? What are these laws really about?
Okay, But Why… Do We Need the Department of Education?
The American Dream is built on public education. Most American adults today grew up attending traditional public schools. And just last year, about 80% of our children did as well. If the vast majority of American families rely on public schools, why would anyone want to get rid of the Department of Education? What exactly does it do and why do we need it?
Watch This: Modern Day Voter Suppression in America
America has a long history of voter suppression. While the tactics may have changed over time, the reason remains the same — extremists know that their positions are unpopular and that the only way they can win elections is if they keep people from voting. We talked...
Read This: A History of Voting Rights — and Voter Suppression — in America
The right to vote is one of the most fundamental principles of our democracy, but it hasn’t always been guaranteed for all Americans. And for some of us, it’s still under constant threat. How is that possible? Let’s take a look at the progression of voting rights over...
Do This: Celebrate Right to Read Day
Monday, April 7 is Right to Read Day — a day to celebrate and defend our freedom to read while we also bring attention to the rising, extremist attempts to take it away. We are a partner with Unite Against Book Bans, a program of the American Library Association, and...