ADEM Elections: A Deeper Dive

ADEM Elections: A Deeper Dive

The Fem Dems of Sacramento have always encouraged our membership to pursue pathways to influence, whether it be through grassroots campaigning, a local non-profit organization, or most commonly, through running for office. While not a publically-held office, this private party election helps determine the voice of the state Democratic Party, which can pack a punch to a candidate's endorsements come election season.  Candidates who can tout a party endorsement can rely on, in many cases, several thousand votes for those who bring party voter guides with them into the election booth.

Re-envisioning the Democratic Party, Fem Dems Style

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Today’s political environment presents an uncharted territory for the future of America. Visceral narratives have flooded the media for months, particularly ones that the threaten the liberties and freedoms of those who are most vulnerable in society. 

From grabbing women by their “pussies” without consent, to presidential cabinet members that reject the fundamental rights of women and the LGBT community, to a virtual complete lack of understanding for the unique circumstances people of color face in America’s criminal justice and penal systems -- it is clear the path ahead is an uncertain one.

But it is not a hopeless one.

It is important now, more than ever, that California’s Democratic Party continue its fight to stand up for those who need it most. Through true representation, we can create leadership that reflects the values and perspectives of California’s increasingly diverse electorate, and pushes for real change.

The Fem Dems of Sacramento have advanced these values for women in our fight for pay equity, reproductive rights and social liberties. It is our charge that one day, without fail, we will have political, economic and social equity for all. 

Until then, we will continue to be a voice for the disenfranchised.

As a part of this growing effort, The Fem Dems encourage our members to consider declaring themselves as candidates for Assembly Democratic Party (ADEM) Delegates by applying to run here. 

So, what even is ADEM? You may ask.

ADEM delegates are elected by voters in each assembly district (7 men and 7 women) to vote on behalf of the communities they represent at Regional Meetings and the California Democratic Convention. Essentially, through this tool, delegates have the ability to vet and support candidates that reflect the growing and diverse electorate of California, and to help to mold the Democratic Party into one that truly connects to the people.  Elections will be held on Saturday, January 7 or Sunday January 8, 2017, depending on the Assembly District.  Click here to find out your ADEM election date and location.

Hurry! The deadline to apply is TOMORROW, DECEMBER 8, 2016. 

CALL TO ACTION: If you have submitted an application to run in your Assembly District, reach out to us at info@femdems.org.

Thank you for being #StrongerTogether with us!

Thank you for being #StrongerTogether with us!

We're making huge strides in becoming an empowering, effective, democratic, and positive grassroots movement dedicated to standing up and fighting back for progressive values when it's needed now more than ever. We are not just protesting - we're directly changing the system. We're going to organize, we're going to win, and we're going to legislate.

Stronger Together: Coalition Meeting Recap

Stronger Together: Coalition Meeting Recap

Just days after the election, the Fem Dems of Sacramento convened Stronger Together, a coalition meeting for women and men with a shared frustration over the results of the election and who want to organize the community to take action to make sure what happened on November 8 does not happen again.  Check out our recap here.

FOX 40 Interview: Fem Dems VP Discusses gender Media Bias in 2016 Presidential Election

VIEW FOX 40 INTERVIEW

VIEW FOX 40 INTERVIEW

SACRAMENTO -- Making the cover -- it's the goal of models and newsmakers across the globe.

In print, the top left above the fold has long been considered prime real estate -- the placement given to the words and images of highest importance, a place of history.

Or, after the historic Tuesday announcement naming Hillary Clinton as the Democratic party's nominee, maybe not, according to some newspaper covers across the country and right here in Sacramento.

Allie Deamwood thought it was strange to see a large picture of Clinton's husband, Bill, on the front cover of the Sacramento Bee above the story on her nomination.

"It's a man when it should be a woman. It's her spot," she said.

Brenda Sturges also found the photo choice odd.

"Well, you would think it would be Hillary," said Sturges.

Hillary was the choice of USA Today, but a lot of people coast to coast started griping on social media about not seeing the same.

The San Francisco Chronicle went with a top pic of Vice President Joe Biden over that of the first woman to secure a presidential nod from a major political party.

"I wanted to see a big smiling face of Hillary Clinton jumping for joy and unfortunately... that's not what we saw," said Caitlin Maple, the vice president of Sacramento's FemDems club.

It's a group pledged to promoting feminist principles of political, economic and social equality between the sexes.

Maple says cover choices in the Sacramento Bee and other papers speak to a latent societal bias.

"We've become so accustomed toseeing men in leadership roles that it's natural to us. And we don't acknowledge what the difficulty of having a woman on that page is and acknowledging our fear of that," she said.

The FemsDems have sent a letter to the Bee asking for fair coverage in the future.

They haven't heard back from the paper and neither has FOX40 about our own request for comment about the cover choice.

Some readers think there was no bias at work with the big picture of Bill, but rather a sympathetic rationale at work.

"She kinda needs him to kind of make it all complete," said Brenda Sturges.

"I think it's gonna kind of a be a little bit of a struggle for her to fight against Trump at this point for a variety of reasons, so she needs all the support from everybody that she possibly can," said Justin Sturges, who felt the picture of the former president conveyed some of that support.

Sean Fielding didn't believe the cover story on Hillary minus a large photo of her was all that strange since she didn't actually speak to delegates in person on Tuesday.

"If she's not on it the day she speaks, that'd be bothersome," he said.

 

Fem Dems Walk for Nancy Chaires

Fem Dems Walk for Nancy Chaires

Join the Fem Dems and our endorsed candidate Nancy Chaires for a precinct walk to help elect Nancy to the Elk Grove City Council! 

Precinct Walk
Saturday, September 6 at 10 AM
8235 Laguna Blvd. Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758


It's time we get some female representation in Elk Grove!

Letter Writing Workshop

Letter Writing Workshop

Are you interested in engaging in the legislative process, but don’t know where to start?

The Fem Dems are holding a Letter Writing Workshop on Thursday, September 4th to give members the tools they need to effectively communicate with their elected officials.

During this hour-long workshop we will discuss the importance of corresponding with your elected officials; how to prepare a letter to an elected official; and then we will each take immediate action by writing a letter to the Governor on one of our priority bills.

This is an exciting opportunity for our members and we hope you can join us for this skill-building workshop!

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Communications Director Sarah Kerber or VP Erica Root

Time: Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Location: Temple Coffee Downtown (1010 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814)

#ActForWomen and Draw the Line

#ActForWomen and Draw the Line

#ActForWomen and Draw the Line

Advocate for the Women's Health Protection Act on Thursday, June 26, 2014sign the Bill of Reproductive Rights, and join us tomorrow in supporting the Center for Reproductive Rights lobby day. Let's tell the U.S. Congress and the President that they must guarantee and protect reproductive rights as fundamental human rights and stop the attacks by politicians who want to take those rights away. #ActFotWomen
 

ADVOCACY DAY ON CAPITOL HILL on June 26 so that key reproductive rights leaders can urge Congress to support the Women’s Health Protection Act, federal legislation that would prohibit states from passing laws that restrict women’s access to abortion services. Here’s how you can help:

  1. Contact your members of Congress and tell them why the Women’s Health Protection Act is so important.  
  2. Take a selfie with an “I #ActForWomen” sign and post the photo on social media with the hashtag #ActForWomen, or email to info@femdems.org or action@reprorights.org. We’ll share it on Facebook and Twitter.      
  3. Kick off Advocacy Day by signing up now for our Thunderclap — and join thousands of Twitter users to automatically announce on the morning of June 26 that you stand for women’s health.  
  4. Share this image on Facebook and let the world know that women’s health matters to you.     

Fems and Vets GOTV for Mark Johannessen

Fems and Vets GOTV for Mark Johannessen

The Fem Dems and Lawson Stuart, Chair of the CDP Veterans Caucus, invite you to join us on Friday night and volunteer in the final stretch for our endorsed candidate Mark Johannessen for California Assembly!

Join us at Mark Johannessen's HQ for either phone banking or we'll walk like crazy for two hours.

We'll keep you posted on any updates and hope you can join us for this fun event. Just one more weekend to support our endorsed candidates before the June 3rd Primary!

Event page here. 

Close the Gap Ally Spotlight

Close the Gap Ally Spotlight

Close the Gap Ally Spotlight

We have always taken a different approach than traditional Democratic clubs,” says Kelly Rivas, past president. “As a club we try to be innovative in our community engagement and really work to motivate young women—and really women of any age—to run for office.

Our friends at Close the Gap CA interviewed Past President Kelly Rivas in their Ally Spotlight in April 2014 and we couldn't be more proud! Kelly discussed the Sacramento Feminist Democrats goals, events, and approach to motivating and empowering women. 

Full article here.