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May 2007

September 2007

President's Message
Convention (Mary Anne Raywid)
Con Con 2010 - Yes or No? (Jean Aoki)
Newly-Elected 2007 State Board (JoAnn Maruoka)
Traveler's Alert (Grace Furukawa)
Fundraiser Proposal for League (Suzanne Meisenzahl)
Elections News (Jean Aoki)
Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (Grace Furukawa & Judy Rantala)
Contributors to Our 2007 Non-Event
At the Legislature (Jean Aoki & JoAnn Maruoka)
Vetoes and Veto Overrides (Jean Aoki, JoAnn Maruoka & Jackie Parnell)
Design a Non-Event Fundraiser!
Chapter Reports - Hawaii (Leilani Bronson-Crelly & Sue Dursin)
Chapter Reports - Honolulu (Piilani Kaopuiki)
Chapter Reports - Kauai (Carol Bain)

Fundraiser Proposal for League

Showing of the HBO Film "Iron-Jawed Angels”
The true story of the Women’s Suffrage Movement

On February 7, 2004 the film Iron Jawed Angels premiered. The premiere was made possible through a partnership that includes Home Box Office, Comcast, The League of Women Voters and the Savannah College of Art and Design. There was a special opening party at the Library of Congress with the League of Women Voters US and HBO. According to Jeanette Senecal, National League member who visited us recently, it was quite a lavish and successful affair.

The film stars Academy Award-winners Hilary Swank and Angelica Huston, as well as Frances O'Connor, Julia Ormond, and Patrick Dempsey. The movie focuses on a pivotal 1913 event in American history, the true story of activists Alice Paul (Swank) and Lucy Burns (O'Connor). They had no vote, no political clout, no equal rights. But what they lacked under the law they made up for with brains, determination, and courage. It is a true story of these women who dared to make a stand for women's rights and ended up shaping the future of America. Carrie Chapman Catt, founder of the League of Women Voters is also portrayed. The movie debuted on HBO on February 15, 2004.

Many Leagues around the country have held successful events around this film. We may be a few years late here in Hawaii, but our committee thinks we still could hold a successful local event, particularly during the upcoming political election year. The film could be preceded with cocktails and pupus and followed by a discussion of recent women's voting patterns (local and national).

League has the rights to this movie and it can be legally used as a fundraiser. It has proven to be an excellent tool by many other state and local Leagues. It has proven to encourage voters, especially young voters. In 2000, 8.6 million eligible 18 to 24-year-olds voted; but 15 million did not.

2008 will be a big election year. We need to get out the vote, and raise money in order to do it. This could be an opportunity. If we could raise a sizeable amount we could use it to meet other State needs.

FUNDS to:

  • afford a rental increase and if necessary pay for members parking next year,
  • repay the computer debt to the Ed Fund,
  • set up a travel fund for the neighbor islands including airfare and accommodations.

Suggested general date for the event is March, 2008. This is WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH. It is early in 2008, plenty of time before the election, and could tie in and be promoted with other events for that month.

Hilary Swank attended the fundraiser at National. Maybe she needs a Hawaii vacation.

If you are interested in this project we will have a showing of the film in JULY (date to be announced), followed by discussion and planning. Dinner included. Please let me know if are interested.

This is a statewide project and the outer islands should participate and share the wealth! The committee will sponsor at least one member from each outer island League to attend the initial meeting and film showing. Current committee members:

League Members

Suzanne Meisenzahl, Stephen Trussel, Jona Lyn Sing, Stephanie Kendrick, Alex Kendrick, Rachel Funk, Joanne Maruoka, Evangeline Funk

Non-Members

Su Shinn, Jacque LeBlanc, Carolyn Haley, Jonathan Spangler

Suzanne Meisenzahl
Chair, Women's Health & Safety Committee

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