Maybe this will be the “Year of the Woman”, maybe not, but it is the year of the women candidates I am happy to say! We know that women have a different and needed understanding and perspective in policy areas such as healthcare, transportation, education, jobs and the environment. And we know that, of course, women should be equally represented in all levels of government, right? We also agree that women make up 50% of the population in Wisconsin. Those are facts, as are the following:

22% of City Council positions are held by women

20.4% of County Board positions are held by women

19% of Circuit Court judges are women

22% of WI Assembly members are women

27% of WI Senate members are women

For 3 decades the percentage of women in the WI Legislature has hovered at 25%.

Organizations are working hard to change this. Emerge Wisconsin trains Democratic women to run for public office. This round of training has 32 women from rural and urban areas. As an Emerge alum says, “Women need to step up if they want to see change.”

Women Lead’s mission is to support and promote viable pro-choice progressive women running for office in Wisconsin and seeks to make a direct and immediate impact on legislative policy affecting women’s rights and reproductive health while building a pipeline of seasoned candidates to run in future races.

Here is a sampling of the fantastic legislative candidates running in the southeastern part of Wisconsin:

Marisabel Cabrera- AD 9 www.votemarisabel.com

Lillian Cheeseman- AD 15 www.wisconsinlikescheese.com

Charisse Daniels- AD 37 www.charisseforwisconsin.com

Erica Flynn AD 84- www.flynnforassembly.com

Julie Henszey SD 5- www.julieforwi.com

Christine Rahlf- AD 60 www.chrisrahlfforassembly.com

Emily Siegrist- AD 24 www.emilysiegristforwi.com

Liz Sumner- AD 23 www.lizforwisconsin.com

Gina Walkington- AD 61 www.walkingtonforwi.com

Come and meet some of them on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at 1122 N. Astor St., 5 to 7:30 PM.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

* We at Grassroots North Shore urge our members to judge all candidates based on individual strengths.

DoYou Want to Help the Blue Wave?  Are you a great phonebanker? Here is your chance to help.

Caleb Frostman is running in a special election for State Senate to represent the 1st District. His campaign set up a virtual phone bank so that we can help.  If you have never participated in a Virtual Phone Bank, it is quite easy. You will always be calling someone who has not been contacted by anyone else.  Check out the directions and links here.

Tues May 8, 2018

Human Rights Campaign Launch, 6 pm - 8 pm
Art Bar, 722 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee
Join the Human Rights Campaign at its launch event in Milwaukee and help defend the rights of LGBTQ people both locally and nationwide. Admission is free. RSVP requested:
https://act.hrc.org/page/23527/event/1?ea.tracking.id=sm_adv_asm_WI_0508_Milwaukee

Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Riverwest Public House Co-op, 815 E. Locust St., Milwaukee
Now, more than ever, Drinking Liberally is a space to gather, support each other, and form the progressive community we're going to need to get through the next four years. Come share a pint with your fellow progressives! Drinking Liberally MKE meets on the second Tuesday of every month, hosted by Matt Filipowicz.

350.ORG Monthly Meeting, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
1500 E. Park Pl, Milwaukee (Urban Ecology Center)
350.ORG is the global organization building a grassroots movement in 188 countries to address global warming and solve climate the crisis. 350.ORG meets every second Tuesday of the month. www.350mke.org.

Wed MAY 9 2018

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Suicide The Ripple Effect, Kevin Hines' powerful new film, 12 pm - 2 pm
Marcus North Shore, 11700 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon
The film highlights the journey of Kevin Hines, who at age 19, attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since then Kevin has been on a mission to use his story to help others stay alive and find recovery. Tickets must be purchased prior and at the link provided. https://gathr.us/screening/22896

The Story of Act 31, 6 pm 
UWM, Mitchell Hall, Room 361, 3203 N. Downer Ave.
Author appearance: Professor J.P. Leary's The Story of Act 31: How Native History Came to Wisconsin Classrooms is about the state law known as Act 31 requiring that all students in Wisconsin learn about the history, culture, and tribal sovereignty of Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes and the controversy that preceded adoption of the law.

Thurs May 10, 2018

An evening with Andy Lamb, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
RE/MAX Gallery - 1339 W. Mequon Rd, Mequon
Light refreshments and wine.$50 Supporter ** $100 Friend ** $250 Sponsor  All other contributions are accepted with gratitude.Please make contributions payable to Lamb for Assembly, PO Box 342, Mequon WI 53092  Donate Online at: Lamb4wi.com. RSVP online at Lamb4wi.com or [email protected]

Drinking Liberally West Allis, 6 pm - 9 pm
Studz Pub Sports Bar & Grill, 6833 W. National Ave., West Allis 
Drinking Liberally West Allis meets on the second Thursday of the month. Free discussions and fellowship. Good food and specials available.

Sat May 12, 2018

Education Amplified-Gubernatorial Edition, 12 pm -3  pm
The Miramar Theatre, 2844 N Oakland Ave, Milwaukee,
Where Will Our Next Governor Stand On: Professional Standards & Licensing? Testing & Standards? voucher & Charters? Teacher Demoralization? School Funding? Come be part of the live broadcast.

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Varies. Find the week's location here.
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Mon May 14, 2018

Poor People's Moral Revival Rally, 11 am - 2 pm
State Capitol, Madison
The Poor People's Campaign is organizing rallies nationwide to force a serious national examination of the enmeshed evils of systemic racism, systemic poverty, ecological devastation, the war economy, and the nation's distorted morality. Join this nonviolent moral fusion direct action to show our elected leaders we will no longer allow them to keep poor and disenfranchised people down.  More information, and registration for training on April 28 in Milwaukee to prepare for this action and the commitment involved: https://www.facebook.com/events/363351570833331/

Grass Roots South Shore Meeting, 6 pm - 8 pm
Cudahy Library, 3500 Library Dr
Grass Roots South Shore holds its monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month. For more information call Jim Balk, 414-218-5944

Tues May 15, 2018

Moms' Clean Air Summit, 9:30 am - 12 pm
Milwaukee 
Moms, families and local elected officials are invited to come together for this citywide Mama Summit and work together to build a healthier, safer, and cleaner Milwaukee for the sake of our kids. Local solutions are especially important at a time when our federal government is rolling back critical health and environmental protections. 9:30: Rally at the park, 11:00 Press conference at the City Hall rotunda, 200 E. Wells

Wed May 16, 2018

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Women Lead, 5 pm - 7:30 pm
1122 N Astor St
You are invited to meet 8 wonderful pro-choice women who are running for office in Southeastern Wisconsin.
This is not a fundraiser, it's simply a chance to get to know these women who will be instrumental in changing the face of Wisconsin.

Drinking Liberally Wauwatosa, 6 pm - 9 pm
Red Dot, 6715 W North Ave, Wauwatosa
Come join fellow Wauwatosa progressives for good conversation. http://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/WI/Wauwatosa

Monthly Meeting of the Ozaukee County Democratic Party, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
639 E Green Bay Ave, Saukville, WI 53080, USA
The Ozaukee County Democrats meet every third Wednesday of the month at the Village of Saukville Municipal Center. Members and non-members may attend, but please note that only members may vote on party business.

Southwest Region Dems Meeting, 7 pm  
Studz Pub Sports Bar & Grill, 6833 W. National Ave., West Allis
NOTE NEW DATE AND PERMANENT LOCATION. Southwest Dems will hold their monthly meeting. Region 5 covers Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee (Southwest), West Allis, West Milwaukee. For more information contact [email protected].

Suicide The Ripple Effect, Kevin Hines' powerful new film, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Marcus Ridge Cinema, 5200 S Moorland Rd, New Berlin, WI 53151,
The film highlights the journey of Kevin Hines, who at age 19, attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since then Kevin has been on a mission to use his story to help others stay alive and find recovery. Tickets must be purchased prior and at the link provided. https://gathr.us/screening/22796

Thurs May 17, 2018

Our Revolution Meeting, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Postal Workers Union, 417 N. 3rd St., Milwaukee
Our Wisconsin Revolution-Milwaukee will hold its membership meeting. Special guests will be leaders of EXPO (Ex-Prisoners Organizing). EXPO works to end mass incarceration, eliminate all forms of structural discrimination against formerly incarcerated people, and restore formerly incarcerated people to full participation in the life of our communities. 5:30 Refreshments and networking 6:00 Speakers followed by updates on OWR organizing efforts.

Waukesha County Democratic Party Meeting, 7 pm - 9 pm
336 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI
Monthly Membership Meeting.

Sat May 19, 2018

Keep Joblines Buses: Rally, 11 am - 2 pm
none given
Keep the joblines rolling! Help ensure that MCTS routes 6 and 61 are extended past 2018. These bus routes give Milwaukee residents transportation to good jobs outside the city. Guest speaker will be Chris Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness. Complimentary lunch provided by Chic Underground.

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Varies. Find the week's location here.
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Liz Sumner for the Wisconsin State Assembly District 23, 1 pm - 3 pm
Longacre Pavillion, 7343 N Longacre Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217
Campaign Kick-off

Mon May 21, 2018

DPMC Issues Committee Meeting, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
The Democratic Party's Issues Committee will hold its monthly meeting. All Democrats are welcome to participate.

Milwaukee Dems Meeting, 6 pm 
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
Milwaukee County Democrats meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited.

Grassroots Gathering in Waukesha, 6:30 pm - 8 pm
Waukesha Public Library, 321 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha
Join us as we discuss how we can work together to increase voter turnout in the fall elections. Sponsored by Grassroots Waukesha.

Milwaukee County Democratic Party Meeting, 7 pm - 9 pm
Burke's Irish Castle, 5328 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee
Description:Milwaukee County Dems meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited to the general meeting and to the Issues Committee meeting at 5:30.