Campaigning is in full swing, and AAUW has been active on the local, state, and national fronts assuring that “equity for all women and girls” is being addressed. For example, on Sept. 18th, the League of Women Voters joined our branch to host a Candidates’ Forum at U.T. News anchor Kristian Brown of WTVG-13 moderated for the 100 plus people in attendance. Not only did the candidates answer questions on how they would improve the lives of women and girls, if elected, but also questions on the auto bailout, Medicaid & health care, protecting Lake Erie, paycheck fairness, renewable energy, voting rights, foreign affairs, Issue 2, and more. The women and men in attendance know that “Women’s issues are human issues!”
All the candidates in the area were invited, and nine candidates participated: Marcy Kaptur, 9th Congressional District; Eric Eberly and Angela Zimmann, 5th Congressional District; Jeff Bunck, Ohio 47th District; David Kissinger, Ohio 46th District; and Lucas County Commissioners, Tina Skeldon-Wozniak, Pete Gerken, and Kevin Haddad. Representing Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senate, was Schuyler Beckwith. Sponsors offered information tables: YWCA, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Zonta, Catharine Eberly Center for Women at U.T., ACLU, and United Way’s “Women’s Initiative.”
On the state level, our Public Policy Chair urges us to continue working on human trafficking , on registering women to vote, and on getting out the vote. Do you know where your U.S. Representative and Senate candidates stand on issues important to women? Visit aauw.org or aauwoh.org; both sites have 2012 voter guides and records. See our NW Ohio Voting Record at aauwohiotoledo.wordpress.com or contact me for hard copy. Remember, “It’s My Vote, I will be heard!”
Yours in AAUW, Michelle Radtkin
Co-Chair of “Candidates’ Forum 2012,” Michelle Radtkin, and Moderator Kristian Brown
Deborah DiGennaro staffs Toledo-Lucas County Library Information Table at “Candidates’ Forum 2012”