Thank you to all of our picnic sponsors, attending elected officials and candidates, the UAW, Jack's BBQ, the DCDW Board, Scholarship winner, Semira Makendengue, the Election Commission & Bobby Medley for making the 2019 DCDW Picnic a great success!

Shannon Wood-DCDW President, Semira Makendengue-Scholarship Winner

2019 Davidson County Democratic Women’s Scholarship Winner, Semira Makendengue    
     Semira Makendengue from Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet School won $1,000 from the Davidson County Democratic Women’s seventeenth annual scholarship at the DCDW Picnic on July 18th at the UAW Hall. Ms. Makendengue’s read her winning essay which focused on changes to federal and state gun laws. She will be attending MTSU this fall.
     The Davidson County Democratic Women continue their collaboration with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to award the DCDW/Shannon Wood Scholarship. All applicants wrote an essay on “What policy or law in the United States would you change and why?” College bound, Davidson County, high school, female seniors may apply for next year’s scholarship through the Community Foundation web site at www.cfmt.org.
     The mission of the Davidson County Democratic Women is to encourage women to seek elected and appointed offices, participate in civic, educational and political initiatives and support the Democratic platform and party nominees.
​     More information about the Davidson County Democratic Women is available at www.DCDW.org Tax deductible donations to the DCDW/Shannon Wood Scholarship may be made through the Community Foundation with a note directing your donation to the DCDW Scholarship.

Come to the Metro Council  At Large Candidate Debate Tuesday July 9th !

Thank you to Nell Levin and Michael August for presenting the Joe Hill Roadshow at Darkhorse Theater for the Davidson County Democratic Women's monthly meeting in May. We learned about Joe Hill, Wobblies, the Industrial Workers of the World and we sang great union organizing folk songs along with Nell and Michael. 

Special Thanks to Judith Clerjeune and Lisa Sherman-Nikolaus from Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition for their informative talk and great discussion tonight. ​

Congratulations to our own Mary Linden Salter, the new president for the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women!

Attendees from across the state gathered for the Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women's Conference.
The Newly Elected Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women's Board for 2019
Mary Linden Salter, President
Khristy Wilkerson, East TN VP
Kim Walker, Middle TN VP
Jeanne Guidi, West TN VP
Emily Gregg, Treasurer
Joni Cochran, Corresponding Secretary
Rachel Campbell, Recording Secretary

Want to Get Involved?
​Join the Davidson County Democratic Women
for our Get Connected Open House - Tomorrow.
That's Thursday from 5:30-7pm at Sherith Israel,
3600 West End Ave. Free. Snacks. Door Prizes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TFDW CONVENTION: CLICK HERE

DCDW Legislative Agenda UPDATE 2019
Abortion Restrictions
OPPOSE SB1236 by Pody (HB0077 by Van Huss)As introduced, prohibits abortions from the point a fetal heartbeat is detected; creates exceptions. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee (Last action on companion, Received from House, Passed on First Consideration 3/11/2019 3:08:16 PM: HB0077)
 
Addiction
OPPOSE HB1168 by Weaver (SB0659 by Bowling) As introduced, authorizes prosecution of a woman for assault based on the woman's illegal use of a narcotic drug while pregnant if the child is born addicted to or harmed by the narcotic drug and the addiction or harm is a result of the woman's use of a narcotic drug while pregnant; provides enrollment in an addiction recovery program while pregnant and successful completion of the program is an affirmative defense. Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee (Last action on companion, Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee 2/7/2019 12:11:17 PM: SB0659)


Expansion of Medicaid/TENNCARE
SUPPORT SB0378 by Yarbro (HB0378 by Miller) As introduced, removes the requirement that the governor receive authorization by the general assembly prior to making any decision or obligating the state with regard to the expansion of optional enrollment in the medical assistance program.
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee (Last action on companion, Sponsor(s) Added. 2/26/2019 5:20:28 PM: HB0378)
SUPPORT SB0464 by Yarbro (HB1050 by Johnson G) As introduced, authorizes the governor to expand medicaid pursuant to the Affordable Care Act; authorizes the governor to negotiate with the centers for medicare and medicaid services to determine the terms of the expansion. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee (Last action on companion, Assigned to s/c TennCare Subcommittee 2/13/2019 10:14:51 AM: HB1050)


Gay Marriage
OPPOSE SB1282 by Pody (HB1369 by Sexton J) As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act," which states the policy of Tennessee to defend natural marriage between one man and one woman regardless of any court decision to the contrary. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee (Last action on companion, Sponsor(s) Added. 3/12/2019 2:26:22 PM: HB1369)


Gun Safety
OPPOSE SB1275 by Pody (HB0409 by Griffey) As introduced, confers criminal and civil immunity upon a person who uses or threatens force in self-defense, defense of another, or defense from a person committing a criminal offense, unless the person against whom force is used is a law enforcement officer during discharge of the officer's duties and the person knows the person is an officer. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee (Last action on companion, Taken off notice for cal in s/c Constitutional Protections & Sentencing Subcommittee of Judiciary 2/27/2019 9:02:07 AM: HB0409)
OPPOSE SB0564 by Bowling (HB0645 by Van Huss) As introduced, reduces the punishment for a first violation of unlawful carrying of a handgun; prohibits law enforcement officer from confiscating the person's handgun and requires issuance of citation in lieu of arrest for such offense. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee (Last action on companion, Assigned to s/c Constitutional Protections & Sentencing Subcommittee 2/11/2019 2:05:46 PM: HB0645)
OPPOSE SB0705 by Stevens (HB1264 by Holt)As introduced, creates a concealed handgun carry permit, which allows a person to carry a concealed handgun; redesignates the existing handgun carry permit as an enhanced handgun carry permit. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee (Last action on companion, Placed behind the budget 3/6/2019 11:42:52 AM: HB1264)
SUPPORT SB1025 by Yarbro (HB1224 by Potts)As introduced, requires the court to order that a defendant convicted of domestic violence who transfers possession of firearms to a third party must have the third party complete and return to the court an affidavit certifying that the third party is not prohibited from possessing firearms, acknowledges receipt of firearms from the defendant, and accepts their responsibility under this section. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/26/2019
(Last action on companion, Placed on s/c cal Constitutional Protections & Sentencing Subcommittee for 3/13/2019 3/6/2019 6:10:56 PM: HB1224)


Voting Rights
SUPPORT SB0240 by Gilmore (HB0312 by Johnson G) As introduced, authorizes a qualified person to register and vote on election day; authorizes a person to update the person's voter information and vote on election day; requires the state election commission to promulgate rules for such purposes. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee (Last action on companion, Assigned to s/c Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee 2/5/2019 11:13:28 AM: HB0312)
SUPPORT SB0837 by Akbari (HB1002 by Beck)As introduced, requires every applicant for a driver license or photo identification card to be automatically registered to vote upon the applicant's 18th birthday; makes other related revisions. Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/19/2019
(Last action on companion, 2/13/2019 10:19:44 AM: HB1002)
SUPPORT SB0777 by Yarbro (HB0334 by Hodges)As introduced, requires department of safety to automatically register a qualified person to vote from information on an application for a driver license or photo identification card unless the person opts out; designates certain other state departments, and agencies and offices thereof, as voter registration agencies; requires such agencies to automatically register a qualified person to vote from information on an application for services unless the person opts out. Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/19/2019
(Last action on companion, Placed on s/c cal Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee for 3/13/2019 3/6/2019 4:23:14 PM: HB0334)


Candidate Childcare
SUPPORT SB0086 by Akbari (HB0007 by Powell)As introduced, authorizes the use of campaign funds for the child care expenditures of a candidate that are incurred by the candidate as a direct result of the candidate's participation in campaign-related events and activities. Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/19/2019 (Last action on companion, Placed on s/c cal Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee for 3/13/2019 3/6/2019 4:23:14 PM: HB0007)
 
Human Trafficking
SUPPORT HB0397 by Moody (SB0447 by Bell) As introduced, establishes a victims of human trafficking fund in the state treasury to provide comprehensive treatment and support services to victims of human trafficking. revisions.   Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee (Last action on companion, Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee 3/5/2019 3:15:00 PM: SB0447)
 
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The Deadline for the  $1,000 DCDW/Shannon Wood Scholarship is March 15,2019.
Please Remind Your Family & Friends

DCDW Members Shannon Wood, Erin Coleman, Kim Trout, Paula Foster and Arlene Martin-Norman participated in the Day on the Hill event and met with their legislators  on Tuesday, February 26th to share our legislative agenda for 2019. Senator Sara Kyle, Representative John Ray Clemmons and Representative Bo Mitchell  are pictured below with members of DCDW, AWAKE, and Hadassah.  

BPW Day on the Hill Breakfast. Location: Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP located at 511 Union St, Nashville TN 37219. The office is on the 27th Floor. There is parking under the building. Breakfast will be at 7:30am. The breakfast is free (please RSVP to 
https://www.addevent.com/event/WY2950603
For more information, contact BPW Day on the Hill chair Zulfat Suara at zsuara@gmail.com

Thank you to Chancellor Anne Martin for hosting the annual DCDW Tea Party and swearing in the new Davidson County Democratic Women's board members. 

2019 DCDW Board Members: Burkley Allen, Mary Linden Salter, Alma Sanford, Kim Troup, Shannon Wood, Erin Coleman and our host Chancellor Anne Martin. Not pictured: Cynthia Bennett, Maria Jackson and Arlene Martin

Congratulations to Marisa Richmond!
Many Thanks to Rep. Mike Stewart for hosting.

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Vote Like Your Future Depends On It, Because It Does.

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Thank you to everyone who made the DCDW July Picnic a success. Congratulations to our honorees: Senator Thelma Harper and Representative Sherry Jones and our $1,000 Scholarship winner Anika Chowdhury. 

Please join the Davidson County Democratic Party, Davidson County Young Dems, and the Davidson County Democratic Women for our annual Mega-Meeting!  Many candidates will be on hand to address meeting participants and hear from your 3 Davidson County Democratic Parties about upcoming events and prior year accomplishments. 
Tuesday | June 26 | 6 PM | 4013 Armory Oaks Drive

Congratulations to Mayor David Briley!

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Nashville Mayoral Special Election on May 24th
Early voting open now. 

EARLY VOTING IN DAVIDSON COUNTY  APRIL 11-26, ELECTION DAY MAY 1
​SCROLL BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON CANDIDATES

 
 

Thank you to Representative John Ray Clemmons for Hosting the annual DCDW Holiday Tea.
Congratulations to the incoming DCDW Board members!

To sign up for our emails, visit the Membership & Contact Info Page.

Congratulations to our 2017 Scholarship Winner, Helena Makendengue! Thanks to everyone who made the 2017 DCDW Picnic a success. 

The DCDW March meeting will be a great opportunity for networking. You will be able to determine the organization that you can work with that furthers your personal goals. Think about what is your personal passion? We all know there needs to be sweeping changes in Washington & the Tennessee Legislature. We will have representatives from many women's organizations that operate in Middle Tennessee.

Article from Dru Smith about Pam Kidd and our Women's Day Reception
Woman of the Year: 
Nashville L Club founder Pam Kidd was honored as “Woman of the Year” at the Davidson County Democratic Women’s annual reception. Civic leader Bill Freeman introduced the program held on the roof of his award winning, environmentally-friendly LEED certified building. Among the guests honoring Kidd were Ambassador Jim Sasser and his wife Mary, Davidson Democratic Women’s Club President Alma Sanford, longtime labor leader Jerry Lee and State Representative Bo Mitchell. Kidd established and coordinates Nashville’s L (for liberal) Club which supports progressive causes and candidates. Ambassador Sasser congratulated Pam who “formed L Club because she did not want progressive ideas to die in this community.” Host Bill Freeman noted his “life has been enriched by Pam, (her husband) David, (and her children) Keri and Brock Kidd.” He told those attending, “It is a high honor for me to stand here and tell you how much I love Pam Kidd.”
To read the entire article, here is the link: http://www.gcanews.com/celebrations-all-around-town-mix-with-politics/


Join and donate to DCDW now.  Membership is $20 per year. 

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2017 DCDW Board
President - Cynthia Bennett
President Elect - Erin Coleman
Vice President for Program - vacant
Corresponding Secretary - Mary Linden Salter
Recording Secretary - vacant
Treasurer - Alma Sanford
Membership Secretary - Rita Fuson
At Large Board Members: Sheryl Guinn, Arlene Martin
Immediate past president: Alma Sanford

DCDW President Sheryl Guinn speaking at the 
Tennessee Federation of Democratic Women Convention in Memphis, May 22-23, 2015.