Chris Abele Suspending Values Tour

By Jeff Simpson

Capper has well documented, the exploits of current Milwaukee County Exec Chris Abele.  Anything that happens with him should come as no surprise. 

We pointed out recently how Leadership MKE, the political arm of Abele, is working hard to temper the coming blue wave. 

The fake Democrat Abele's group, led by GOP allies George Aldrich(Abele's Chief of Staff) and Andy Suchorski(Abele's Political director), have been attacking progressives in Milwaukee.

Now "Leadership MKE" (who the hell named that), has jumped in the Sheriff's race by strongly backing Richard Schmidt.  Yes, we live in a Democratic Republic and you can back who you want to back, but when the person you are backing believes this:

The criticism surfaced Monday about comments Schmidt made last year during a podcast interview. Schmidt told domestic violence victims who are Christians to submit themselves to the Holy Spirit, adding that God would restore their relationships.
Schmidt also failed to criticize the podcast host, a minister who said the victim should change, not the abuser. 

But wait there is more - like an exact quote:

“If someone is struggling, and their marriage is just a disaster ... get off God’s throne, submit yourself to that person and love that person,” Schmidt said. “If we’re Christian we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit ... get off the prideful ladder, [and] God can bless that marriage and restore those relationships.”

Yes, if your spouse is beating you, you need to be a better person.   As the saying goes in right wing wacko land

Q. What do one million battered women have in common?
A.  They just don't listen! 

What does the Milwaukee County Exec Chris Abele. the guy who paid to keep the courthouse open so our LGBTQ friends could get married, one of the main funders of Emerge, do about this revelation? 

Doubles down to support Schmidt!

Abele has sicced his political hit team after Lucas and supporting Schmidt.

There is a saying that you reflect your values in how you spend your money.  Abele has shown his by going all in with Schmidt.   Which means the next move is Emerge's.

Abele is a huge funder of Emerge, and everyone needs money:

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, $900,200. Abele, who was first elected county executive in 2011, is also a businessman and philanthropist who traditionally supports Democratic candidates and groups. Abele’s 527 contributions went to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which backs lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender candidates nationwide, and Emerge Wisconsin, which helps elect women Democratic candidates.

EmergeWI has the following vision and mission:

Our Mission: To increase the number of Democratic women leaders from diverse backgrounds in public office through recruitment, training, and providing a powerful network.
Our Vision: To change the face of power, politics, and leadership in this country in order to have policies that are responsive to all Americans.

A great organization, dedicated to a great cause surely would publicly let everyone know that this was a bridge too far for them. 

Unfortunately no.   

When I contacted Emerge about it, I was told that he is just a donor and not on the board and that the money does not come with strings, so while they were disappointed they have no control over it.

Money ALWAYS comes with strings. 

Readers of CogDis, will remember, that when Diane Hendricks became chief fundraiser for the Donald, that I asked that my alma mater Beloit College remove her from the Board of Trustees(Here, here, here and here). 

I was given the same basic response from Beloit College, which can be interpreted as Money Changes Everything. 

But wait there is more.  Another person who has not weighed in on this horrible controversy is Kelda Roys, candidate for Governor? 

Why is this issue relevant to Kelda?  Because as a small business owner, she relied on investments.   One of her biggest investors?

Chris Abele! 

Research suggest that police officers have a much higher rate of domestic violence than the general population and since it is already very hard to get away and get help, what is the message you are sending to the community when the head acting law enforcement officer believes such incredible things?

While I admire Emerge WI and Kelda Roys for the positive difference they have made and are making in our state, their failure to publicly admonish Chris Abele in this instance, because he writes big checks, is very disappointing.

As Margaret Atwood says:

“Better never means better for everyone... It always means worse, for some.”

Emerge Wisconsin Is Seeking A New Executive Director

My  friend, Wendy Strout, has chosen to move on from her job as Executive Director of Emerge Wisconsin.

As a result, Emerge Wisconsin is now looking for a new executive director.  The details regarding this can be found on their website.

I would like to thank Wendy for her years of service at Emerge and for training many of the wonderful women leaders this state is benefiting from.  I look forward to working with her again in her future endeavors.

And just for Wendy:

Congratulations To The 2014 Class of Emerge Wisconsin

From Wendy Strout, Executive Director of Emerge WI:

Every year around this time, 20-25 women officially become Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae.  They receive their certificate of graduation and their orange "e" pin that proudly lets others know they have completed the Emerge Wisconsin program.

This year, Emerge is proud to graduate 21 women from across Wisconsin who have proven their ability to run, their skills to win, and their commitment to increasing the number of Democratic women in office across Wisconsin.

Please help us congratulate our newest Emerge Alumnae:

Image courtesy of Emerge Wisconsin 

Cecilia Anguiano, Racine 

Anne Arndt, Wisconsin Rapids 

Ann DeGarmo, Madison 

Jacki Gackstatter, Janesville 

Sharon Hampson, La Crosse 

Rellen Hardtke, River Falls 

Peggy Jerome, La Crosse 

Emily Kenney, Wauwatosa 

Zonia Lopez Chrostowski, Milwaukee 

Arvina Martin, Madison 

Anne Molineu, West Bend 

Julia McNally, Grafton 

Jackie Moore, Ashland 

Adrienne Oliver, Milwaukee 

Rebecca Ruechel, St. Francis 

Luz Sosa, Milwaukee 

Wendellyn Stallings, Sussex 

Kira Stewart, Madison 

Shelia Stubbs, Madison 

Katherine Svitavsky, La Crosse 

Leanne Wied, Brookfield

Over the past seven months, our graduates have spent hours honing their skills and preparing to run. We can't wait to announce their candidacy!

Emerge Wisconsin Women Make History

Big news for Emerge Wisconsin members from Dane County:

Sharon Corrigan is making history as the newly elected chair of the Dane County Board. Only one other woman -- Mary Louise Symon -- has held the post, serving from 1974 to 1980.

Corrigan was elected chair by her colleagues Tuesday at a noontime meeting of the board. The reelection of vice chair Carousel Bayrd made for another first -- this will be the only time women have occupied both top leadership posts on the board.

Corrigan is a member of the Emerge Wisconsin Board. Bayrd is an Emerge WI alumna (Class of 2009) and is currently the Vice-Chair of the Emerge Wisconsin Board.

And also in the news is the fact that Emerge WI alumna Kelly Westlund (Class of 2011), the first Emerge WI alumna to run for a federal seat as she takes on Sean Duffy in the 7th CD, was put "On the List" by EMILY's List.

As a fun fact, the two other women that were mention in the press release, Rocky Lara and Shenna Bellows are also Emerge alumnae, from New Mexico and Maine, respectively.

For full disclosure, I work for Emerge Wisconsin and couldn't be prouder of that fact.

Emerge Wisconsin Now Accepting Applications For Class of 2014

To the Democratic women in Wisconsin:

Apply now for Wisconsin's premier candidate training for Democratic women.  The Emerge Wisconsin 2014 Application is available online only from September 1st until October 25th. 

Starting in January 2014, Emerge Wisconsin will train its eighth(!) class of Democratic women. We recruit and train women from all over the state to run for office at all levels of government.  Our training provides women with the skills they need to run and the tools they need to win. Graduates have won races across Wisconsin from Village Trustee to State Senate.

Invest in your candidacy by signing up for more than 70 hours of training over seven months with Emerge Wisconsin.  Learn from experts in the areas of fundraising, campaign messaging, how to build a field plan, and so much more.

You can join the growing ranks of Emerge Alumnae by clicking on the following link and filling out the online application: Emerge Wisconsin 2014 Application.

We seek passionate, Democratic women who are dedicated to effective and ethical political leadership.

Criteria for selection include:

• evidence of political leadership experience or potential, and meaningful involvement in workplace or community;
• interest in pursuing political office;
• demonstrated ability to bring together disparate groups to achieve a goal;
• ability and desire to build effective networks;
• ability to articulate a personal political vision;
• demonstrated ability to inspire others;
• commitment to full participation and attendance requirements of the trainings.

Applicants must be Democratic women residing in the state of Wisconsin.

Emerge Wisconsin embraces diversity and encourages applications from all women regardless of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, marital status, religious affiliation, sexual orientation or physical abilities.

Become one of 20-25 Democratic women who will gain the Emerge advantage as political leaders in 2014 and beyond.  Complete your  Emerge Wisconsin 2014 Application today!

Sincerely,

Wendy Strout
Executive Director

And in the interest of full disclosure - I work for Emerge Wisconsin, a fact in which I take immeasurable pride.

Who is afraid of Emerge Wisconsin?

From the inbox comes this press release by Wendy Strout, Executive Director of Emerge Wisconsin:

Emerge Wisconsin recently learned they were the subject of an open records request by the Republican Party of Wisconsin. The request appeared to be targeting the Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae. There are currently eight Emerge women who are serving in the state legislature: Representatives Penny Bernard Schaber‘07, Jill Billings‘11, Dianne Hesselbein‘09, La Tonya Johnson‘12, Melissa Sargent‘12, Mandy Wright‘12, JoCasta Zamarripa’10, and Senator Nikiya Harris‘11.

“It is interesting that the GOP are targeting Emerge Wisconsin, an organization focused on training Democratic women to run for office,” states Wendy Strout, Emerge Wisconsin Executive Director. “Since they have a history of attacking women’s rights, it was only a matter of time before they started attacking women’s ability to run for office. 

Emerge Wisconsin recently graduated their seventh class of Democratic women ready to run for elected office. The goal of Emerge is to increase the number of Democratic women in office. They do this by inspiring women to run and honing their skills to win. Emerge is also traveling the state providing a “Taste” of their trainings in counties like Brown, Door, and St. Croix. 

Since 2007, Emerge has been the premier training program for Democratic women in Wisconsin. Emerge recruits and trains women from across the state to run for office on a local, state, and national level and provides them with the tools and network support needed to succeed in the world of politics. Emerge graduates have gone on to win races ranging from Village Trustee to State Senate. Nationally, Emerge has expanded to thirteen states to train the next generation of female Democratic leaders across the country. Emerge is located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin

This attack by WISGOP was undoubtedly spurred by this article touting the success of Emerge Wisconsin in getting women elected:

“In many ways running a campaign is like starting a small business,” Wright said. “Emerge really helped me organize the campaign. You have to be pretty motived, and Emerge really helped me with that. The networking is also helpful. There were 30 of us in class and 10 that ran for Assembly or Senate, so we kept in touch. It was really, really helpful to hear, ‘I ran into this problem and this is how I problem-solved it’.”

“We have women all across the state in all levels of office,” said Wendy Strout, executive director of Emerge Wisconsin.

The Emerge program began in California and now is one of 13 states with Emerge programs. Emerge Wisconsin has been in operation since 2007. Since then 56 percent of the graduates have run for public office and 59 percent have run successful campaigns.

“Women across the country are not happy with what’s going on. They are looking for a way to make a change. So you’re going to see women across the country getting more active,” Strout said. “Our goal is to continue increasing the number of Democratic women at all levels of government. We are nowhere near 50 percent of elected officials, yet women are 50 percent of the population, or 51 percent of the population in some places.”

The reporter, as any good reporter would do, contacted WISGOP to get a statement from them. As one might expect, it showed just how out of touch they are with women and women's issues:

Of course, Republicans also want to provide more opportunities for female candidates. Jesse Dougherty, press secretary
 of the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefish is leading the charge to bring more Republican women into public office.

“We are holding training sessions across the state and women are a major aspect of that training,” Dougherty said. “Women will have a strong voice in our party.”

Obviously, what woman wouldn't want to be involved with a party who wants to keep their pay substantially lower than men's and wants to have a doctor sexually assault them with a ultrasound wand? The only things that the Republicans haven't done - yet - is pass a law that women must remain pregnant and barefoot in the kitchen.

But as they say, haters are going to hate. And there is not a more hateful group than the Teapublicans and one of the things they hate most are strong women who will stand up for themselves.


For the purpose of full disclosure, I do work for Emerge Wisconsin and am damn proud of it. However, this post is not to be in any construed as anything but coming from me.

WISGOP Fears Emerge*

From the Facebook page of State Representative Melissa Sargent, we find that WISGOP is mightily afraid of Emerge Wisconsin.

They have sent this Open Records Request to the elected Emerge Wisconsin alumnae:

I think Sargent said it best:

The GOP must be terrified of women who want their voices heard at all levels of government. 

Of course, the GOP has reason to fear.  With their refusal to allow pay equality, to allow equal rights, their rape culture "humor" and their punitive approach to women's health care, including the ultrasound bill, they have repeatedly crossed the line of acceptability.

*See what I did there?!

For the interest of full disclosure, I do work for Emerge WI, and am damn proud of it.

Congratulations To Emerge Wisconsin's Class of 2013!

You done good!

Emerge Wisconsin congratulates the newest graduates of their training program. On Saturday, June 20th, twenty-two Democratic women joined the growing ranks of Emerge Alumnae. Emerge participants complete a seven-month course covering topics from campaign messaging to fundraising and public speaking.

“Many of our program members have been activists in their communities for a long time. Now all of them are ready to take the next step on their respective paths to becoming Democratic leaders in their communities,” Emerge Wisconsin Executive Director Wendy Strout.

“We are proud of our newest alumnae who have already proven their readiness to run at all levels of government,” Bethany Ordaz, Emerge Board Chair. “I know they are going to be successful for whatever seat they choose.”

The Emerge Wisconsin 2013 graduates are:

Kelley Albrecht (Burlington); Julie Allen (Tomahawk); Marisabel Cabrera (West Allis); Lillian Cheesman (Milwaukee); Paula Cooper (Pardeeville); Dane County Supervisor Jennifer Dye (Fitchburg); Frances Irwin (Wausau); Julie Jansch (Green Bay); La Crosse County Supervisor Karin Johnson (La Crosse); Kimberly Kane (Racine); Dane County Supervisor Mary Kolar (Madison); Mabel Lamb (Milwaukee); Margaret McInnis (Madison); Pat McPartland (Verona); Janesville School Board Director Catherine Myers (Janesville); Karyl Rice (Madison); Sara Schulz (Genoa City); Middleton Alderwoman Miriam Share (Middleton); Sequanna Taylor (Milwaukee); Karen Vieth (Madison); Kati Walsh (Madison); Emily Wunderlich (Baraboo)

Since 2007, Emerge has been the premier training program for Democratic women in Wisconsin. Emerge recruits and trains women from across the state to run for office on a local, state, and national level and provides them with the tools and network support needed to succeed in the world of politics. Emerge graduates have gone on to win races ranging from Village Trustee to State Senate. Nationally, Emerge has expanded to thirteen states to train the next generation of female Democratic leaders across the country. Emerge is located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin

I would like to congratulate all of the women in the Class of 2013. I know how hard each of you have worked this year and you should all be very proud of yourselves. I look forward to seeing you to stand up and run (or run again) to claim our state back.

And for the purposes of full disclosure, I do work for Emerge Wisconsin, and I am damn proud of it.

It matters that she is a Democrat

I don't normally publish fundraising emails - especially for groups that I work for - but the points in this email from Emerge Wisconsin were too important to pass up:

Of course it matters that we increase the number of women in office.  It matters more that we increase the number of Democratic women in office.  This is why Emerge Wisconsin only trains Democratic women.

This week, the State Senate and Assembly took up several bills that continued the direct assault on women's basic rights.  It was brought up by a female Democratic Senator that there were only 9 women in the State Senate.  There is the assumption that if there were more women in the Senate, then we wouldn't even have these anti-women bills to debate.

Yes, it makes a difference in legislation when we have more women serving in an elected body of government; however, the lead authors and champions of one of these anti-women bills areRepublican WOMEN!  This week is not the first time Republican women have led the attack on women's rights.  In the 2010-2012 legislative session, it was a Republican woman who led the effort in the State Assembly to repeal the Equal Pay Act.

With the help of supporters like you, Emerge Wisconsin has eight alumnae serving in the State Legislature.  We need your help to continue to increase the number of Emerge Alumnae and Democratic women serving Wisconsin citizens.  Please donate $9 or more today so we can continue our work of training Democratic women to run for office.

We are proud of our alumnae working hard for Wisconsin in the Senate and Assembly.  Your $9 or more today will help us train the Democratic women who will join Senator Nikiya Harris '11 and Representatives Penny Bernard Schaber '07, Jill Billings '11, Dianne Hesselbein '09, La Tonya Johnson '12, Melissa Sargent '12, Mandy Wright '12 and JoCasta Zamarripa '10.

Our goal is to increase the number of women running for and winning elected office, but it matters that she is a Democrat.

Sincerely,


Wendy Strout

Our Nomination For The Margaret Thatcher Award

Jealous of the smashing success of Emerge Wisconsin*, who just honored U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin as  their Woman of the Year, Charlie Sykes and the other fools at White Wisconsin have decided to hold their own fund raiser dinner to honor a conservative woman.  Keeping with their traditional looking backwards and revising history, they have chosen to call their award the Margaret Thatcher Award**:

To be presented at black tie dinner in October.

RightWisconsin.com is proud to announce the first annual Margaret Thatcher Award to honor the contributions, courage and leadership of Wisconsin’s Iron Ladies.

The award, named after the late British Prime Minister, will be presented at the Right Women Awards Dinner, a formal black tie event that will be held on Friday, October 18 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.

The Honorary Chair of the Dinner is Wisconsin First Lady Tonette Walker.

Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch will chair the award selections committee, which features a cross-section of prominent conservative women.

The committee will solicit and review nominations for the Margaret Thatcher Award as well as three other awards recognizing exceptional achievement among conservative women in Wisconsin politics.

Lt. Gov. Kleefisch will also emcee the program of the Right Women Dinner, along with 620 WTMJ host Charlie Sykes. Sykes also is editor-in-chief of RightWisconsin. A keynote speaker will be announced at a later date.

The dinner will celebrate trailblazers, innovators and champions of freedom among conservative women in Wisconsin politics.

"Margaret Thatcher is a matchless example of a conservative woman: strong and principled, frugal and virtuous and I am honored to lead the selection committee to choose the inaugural award winners. Wisconsin has a unique, bright and growing number of conservative women whose efforts and ideas will be recognized through the 'Right Women Awards,’" Lt. Governor Kleefisch said.

Well, in the interest of bipartisanship, we at Cog Dis would like to make a recommendation for their award.

The woman we wish to nominate is a true conservative, successful woman. She has been a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She has also had a stellar career as a judge, serving as a State Supreme Court Justice and is currently a Federal Justice.  As for her credentials as a conservative, our nominee is also a member of the Federalist Society.

Ladies and gentlemen, our nominee for the first ever recipient of the Margaret Thatcher Award is none other than Diane Sykes.

Diane Sykes

However, things could get a little awkward, with Diane Sykes being Charlie Sykes' second wife, the one he cheated on with Liz Woodhouse, aka Janet Reardon, aka Mrs. Sykes III.  I bet the night could be rich for fireworks.

And frankly, if Justice Sykes doesn't win, the contest has to be obviously rigged and phony as Charlie Sykes' hair.

*Full disclosure - I work for Emerge Wisconsin and I am damn proud of it.

**I wonder if they got permission from Thatcher's estate to use her name and likeness.

Emerge Wisconsin's Woman of the Year - Tammy Baldwin

On Thursday evening, my wife and I had the opportunity to volunteer for and attend

Emerge Wisconsin's event at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center in which they honored U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin as their 2013 Woman of the Year.

Given the fact that I work for Emerge WI, I have been to a few of their events and thought I knew what to expect.  But Thursday's event was such a success that it blew my mind.

There were hundreds of people in attendance.  They came from all walks of life and from all areas of the state.  I won't go into naming all of the politicians and community leaders who were in attendance because I know that I would miss some.

There were the speeches given by Bethany Ordaz, Emerge Wisconsin Board Chair; State Senator and Emerge alumna Nikiya Harris; Emerge Alumna Melissa Lemke; and Congressman Ron Kind.  There were also some very moving videos of other Emerge alumnae and political and community leaders. 

The most moving and passionate tribute came from Congresswoman Gwen Moore, who did the introduction for Baldwin.  As usual, Moore delivered a passionate and uplifting speech that really got the crowd going.

Baldwin, the recipient of many standing ovations, also gave a very moving speech.    She spoke of how Emerge Wisconsin is changing the social and political environment so that women no longer feel that they are unqualified to run.  She talked about how we are in this together and that no one has been successful doing things all on their own.

On a personal note, I have to say that the highlight of the evening was not the speeches or the videos.  Nor was it seeing so many friends and making many new ones.  Nor was even the fact that Baldwin went out of her way to thank my wife and I for volunteering to help with the event.

The highlight of the evening, for me anyways, was seeing the look on my wife's face as she got to meet one of her heroes.  Not only meet her, but to hug her and have our picture taken with her.   

The fact that Baldwin is such a genuinely nice person just made it all the better for both my wife and myself.

Emerge Wisconsin Names Tammy Baldwin Woman of the Year

Emerge Wisconsin Names Tammy Baldwin Woman of the Year

Please join us as we honor the first woman in Wisconsin to be elected to the US House of Representatives and to the US Senate as well as the first openly gay person to serve in the US Senate!

2013 Woman of the Year: 

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Thursday May 30, 2013

Milwaukee County War Memorial Center

750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202

5:30 pm

VIP Reception

6:00 pm

General Reception and Program

RSVP by May 20!

To find out more details, please click here

All funds solicited in connection with this event are by Emerge WI, and not by Senator Tammy Baldwin.

To become a table sponsor or to purchase general tickets sign up here

For more information contact Wendy Strout at (608) 692-7556 or via email at wendy@emergewi.org

Thank you to our Woman of the Year Committee members:

Jessica Brumm-Larson * Karen Campbell * Tracey Corder '12 * Rachel Currans-Henry

Lashell Drake '12 * School Board Director Meagan Holman '07 * Noelle Joers Yanisch '10

Jessica King '07 * Bethany Ordaz * Heather Ullsvik * Paula Zellner

For the purpose of full disclosure, I do work for Emerge WI and am darn proud of it.

Emerge WI Alumnae Running This Spring

From Emerge Wisconsin:

Dear Chris; It's election time again which means we have more Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae running for office!  This spring, Emerge is proud to announce that we have thirteen Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae running in the Spring elections of 2013! Check out the alumnae to the left and below to see if there is an alumnae on your ballot this spring.  Don't Forget - Primary Election Day is February 19 and General Election Day is April 2.  Here are the candidates: Mary Arnold (Class of 2012) is running for re-election to the Columbus School Board Tammy Bockhorst (Class of 2012) is running for Shorewood Village Trustee Sue Ellingson (Class of 2007) is running for re-election for Madison City Council District 13 Celestine Jeffreys (Class of 2007) is running for re-election for Green Bay School Board Ellen Lindgren (Class of 2010) is running for re-election for Middleton-Cross Plains School Board, Area IV Diane Odeen (Class of 2012) is running for River Falls City Council Paula Reaves (Class of 2012) is running for Wisconsin Rapids City Council Sarah Ann Shanahan (Class of 2010) is running for re-election for Clerk of the Town of Fountain Judy Smriga (Class of 2012) is running for Thorp City Council Lisa Subeck (Class of 2009) is running for re-election for Madison City Council District 1 Anita Weier (Class of 2010) is running for re-election for Madison City Council District 18 Anissa Welch (Class of 2012) is running for re-election for Milton City Council Claire Zautke (Class of 2012) is running for Milwaukee Public School Board District 7 Do you want to continue seeing more Democratic women run for elected office?  Here are a few ways you can help make that happen: Recommend a Woman to Emerge - If you know a woman you believe should run for office, please let her know about Emerge.  Also share her information with us so we can include her in any future application and class updates.  Send her name, location and contact information (phone, email) to wendy@emergewi.org. Become a monthly contributor - This is an easy way to support Emerge and the women we train.  You can go to our website (www.EmergeWI.org) and make this contribution monthly.  Bring Emerge Wisconsin to you - Emerge will be hitting the road soon, traveling Wisconsin, talking about the importance of running for office and recruiting our future Emerge alumnae!  If you would like to have Emerge come speak to your group, email us at wendy@emergewi.org.  Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter - Emerge keeps you up to date on our alumnae, current program members, women in politics.  Like our Facebook page or Follow us on Twitter.  Then tell a friend. Thank you again for your continued support! Sincerely, Wendy Strout Executive Director

In the interest of full disclosure, I do work for Emerge WI and am damn proud of that.

Gun Reform in America: Changing the Debate & Forging Solutions

Emerge America is having a webinar on Wednesday to discuss the growing crisis in our country, where gun-related deaths have reached epidemic proportions.  The discussion will be moderated by Wendy Strout*, Executive Director of Emerge Wisconsin:

CHANGING THE DEBATE AND FORGING SOLUTIONS: HOW TO LEAD THE DIALOGUE ON GUNS IN AMERICA - EMERGE JANUARY WEBINAR

JAN 30 2013 - 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Each year, more than 30,000 people die from gun violence.

That's 85 people a day.

Since 1990, the gun lobby has given Congress over 21 million dollars in campaign contributions to prevent the enactment of common sense gun control legislation and maximize profits in their industry.

Changing the Debate and Forging Solutions: How to Lead the Dialogue on Guns in America 

Featuring Janet Fitch of the award-winning film series Guns, Grief and Grace in America 

and Jim Kessler of Third Way

The gun reform debate has been ongoing yet we have not sustained consistent legislative victories. Join our panel of experts as they look at the recent history of gun violence in America and re-frame the debate in terms that will help win the crossover support necessary to achieve lasting and effective policy solutions. 

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

12:00pm PST/1:00pm MST/2:00pm CST/3:00pm EST

To RSVP, please click here.

With:

Janet Fitch

Director

Guns, Grief, and Grace in America

and 

Jim Kessler

Senior Vice President for Policy & Co-founder

Third Way

Moderated by:

Wendy Strout

Executive Director

Emerge Wisconsin

Documentary filmmaker and community-engagement specialist Janet Fitch is the director of an in-depth look at gun violence in the United States. Her award-winning 3-part series, Guns, Grief and Grace in America, is a unique multi-purpose body of work. The series views gun violence through the lenses of local, state, and national communities, and reorients the discussion towards a solutions-based public health issue. With a focus on prevention, the film series serves as a highly-useful tool that spurs community engagement and civil dialogue.

Jim Kessler brings a wealth of knowledge and insight on economic and social issues across the policy spectrum. A longtime veteran on Capitol Hill and in campaigns, he served as Legislative and Policy Director to Representative/Senator Charles Schumer where he helped pass landmark legislation on crime, gun safety, and domestic violence. From 2001 to 2004 he served as Director of Policy and Research for Americans for Gun Safety. He has appeared frequently as a commentator on television, radio, on the web, and in newspapers—including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, 60 Minutes, MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, The Financial Times, Congressional Quarterly, National Journal, ABCWorld News Tonight, The CBS Evening News, NPR’s Morning Edition, Bloomberg and Marketplace Radio. A prolific writer, his columns have appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, POLITICO, Roll Call and DEMOCRACY: A Journal of Ideas.

Wendy Strout is the Executive Director for Emerge Wisconsin and has been working in Democratic politics since 1992.  Wendy has worked on Congressional Races in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Arkansas in various roles, including Finance Director.  Wendy also worked as a fundraiser in 2002, for Governor Doyle’s successful gubernatorial campaign.  She has also worked as the political organizer for AFSCME in Southeast Wisconsin where she also coordinated several labor coalitions.  Before joining Emerge Wisconsin, Wendy served as the Director for the Wisconsin Civic Engagement Project (now Wisconsin Voices).

And in full disclosure, I do work for Emerge Wisconsin, which makes Wendy my boss. But more importantly to me, she's been my friend for more than 15 years.

Celebrating the Trailblazing Women of Emerge

From the inbox:

---

Please join us tomorrow in
Celebrating the Trailblazing Women of Emerge Wisconsin

**Emerge Wisconsin Alumna, Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (Class of 2010) who was honored by Emerge America as an Emerge Trailblazer

**Nearly 40 Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae ran for office in 2012!  The largest number of alumnae on the ballot in 1 year since our first class graduated in 2007!

Celebrating the Trailblazing Women of Emerge
Wednesday, December 5th, 2012
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Hawks Quindel Law Firm
222 East Erie Street, Suite 210, Milwaukee

Please Join Emerge Wisconsin tomorrow!

Thank you to the following:
Katherine Charlton * Israel Ramon * Michele Sumara

Trailblazers: State Representative Barbara Toles, Emerge Advisor * State Representative Sandy Pasch, Emerge Advisor * State Representative Jon Richards *Jonathan Ward * State Representative JoCasta Zamarripa, Class of 2010

Hosts: Meg Andrietsch, Secretary of Democratic Party of Wisconsin * Ellen Bravo and Larry Miller * Michelle Bryant, Class of 2008 * Dorothy Dean * Gloria Dobbs, Class of 2011 * Jane Gellman * Ed Heinzelman * Linda Honold * Noelle Joers-Yanisch, Class of 2010 * Milwaukee County Board Superivosr Willie Johnson * Dr. Jay Larkey and Lois Malawsky * Martha Love * Sara Rogers, Emerge Advisor * Keith Saeger * Annie Wacker * Wauwatosa Alderman Greg, Mary and Sofia Walz-Chojnacki * Waukesha County Democratic Party

Sponsors: Emily Bell * Tammy Bockhorst, Class of 2012 * Karen Campbell * Dawn Caruss * Ann Jacobs * Anita Johnson * Zonia Lopez * Dorothy Mickleburgh * Gerry Miller * Margo Miller, Class of 2009 * Mary Mitchell * Martha Pincus * Dana Schultz * Jenissee Volpintesta, Class of 2009 * Claire Zautke, Class of 2012

Please join us in celebrating these amazing women who ran for school board, city and county government as well as state office.  NEARLY 40!

Suggested Contribution - $27

And in the interest of full disclosure, I do work for Emerge WI.

Attention Democratic Women!

From Emerge Wisconsin:

Democratic Women! Have you been inspired by the election of U.S. Senator Elect Tammy Baldwin? Are you ready to run for office yourself?  Don't Wait!The Emerge Wisconsin Application is due tomorrow, November 14! Have you applied yet? You have until midnight, Wednesday, November 14 to apply.  You can do so by clicking here:http://www.emergewi.org/training/application 

Last Tuesday, 21 Emerge Alumnae were on the ballot.  They inspire us and we hope they inspire you. We wanted to offer one more round of "Thank you" to the following women who stepped up to say "Yes, I will run."  

State Senate:
Nikiya Harris, '11 (6th Senate District)Senator Jessica King '07 (18th Senate District)Tanya Lohr '12 (20th Senate District) 

State Assembly:
Mary Arnold '12 (37th Assembly District)Carol Beals '10 (49th Assembly District)Representative Penny Bernard Schaber '07 (57th Assembly District)Representative Jill Billings '11 (95th Assembly District)Dianne Hesselbein '09 (79th Assembly District)La Tonya Johnson '12 (17th Assembly District)Melissa Lemke '11 (62nd Assembly District)Maureen May-Grimm '12 (51st Assembly District)Diane Odeen '12 (30th Assembly District)Kim Peterson '12 (32nd Assembly District)Melissa Sargent '12 (48th Assembly District)Sarah Ann Shanahan '10 (50th Assembly District)Judy Smriga '11 (68th Assembly District)Melissa Sorenson '11 (41st Assembly District)Mandy Wright '12 (85th Assembly District)Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, 10 (8th Assembly District) 

County Clerk
Ginny Dankmeyer '12 (La Crosse)Mary Schuch-Krebs '08 (Kenosha)
Ready to join these amazing women? Apply today!

For full disclosure, I do work for Emerge WI, and I'm damn proud of it.

6 Days, 14 Days, 35 Days

From Emerge Wisconsin:

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Six Days
With 6 days before Election Day, we wanted to remind you of the Emerge Wisconsin alumnae on the ballot.  Do you have any on your ballot? 

Click here for a list of all of our alumnae on the ballot. 

Fourteen Days
In 14 days, prospective Emerge Wisconsin candidates have their last chance to apply to our 2013 program.  Our application closes November 14th.  

Thirty-five Days
In 35 Days, Emerge Wisconsin will be celebrating ALL of the Emerge Alumnae who ran this year - close to 40!

Earlier this month, several of us were thrilled to be in California to celebrate with Emerge Wisconsin Alumna, Representative JoCasta Zamarripa, as she was honored with the Trailblazer Award by Emerge America. 

After the election, we are taking time to celebrate both JoCasta and ALL of our alumnae who ran for office this year - CLOSE TO 40 WOMEN!

We hope you can join us:

SAVE THE DATE - December 5th, 2012 - Milwaukee

We will be celebrating Emerge Wisconsin's Trailblazer as well as the nearly 40 Emerge Wisconsin Alumnae who ran or are running for office this year!

To sponsor this celebration, please go to our event page:  Emerge Wisconsin Trailblazing Women

Sponsorship Levels:

Host - $210 
in honor of Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa being a graduate of the Class of 2010

Sponsor - $100
in honor of the 100 Alumnae Emerge Wisconsin has trained

Friend - $40
in honor of the nearly 40 Alumnae who ran or are running for office this year

Please RSVP and make your contribution today!
 

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Join Our Movement!

Click the links below to follow us on Twitter or be a fan on Facebook.

www.emergewi.org

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Emerge Wisconsin is the premier training program for Democratic women in Wisconsin. We inspire women to run, we hone their skills to win.
Our goal is clear: to increase the number of Democratic women in public office. Emerge Wisconsin does not endorse candidates.
For full disclaimer click here.

For full disclaimer, I work for Emerge Wisconsin and I am damn proud of it.