Week of 2/2/2025

Note: These emails are sent weekly and include timely information and links, which may expire over time.

February 2, 2025

Week of February 2nd

URGENT! WofA MEMBER SURVEY
We want to hear from YOU. ‍♀️ This survey is your space to let us know how you want to contribute, share your ideas for new initiatives, and highlight the skills and expertise you bring to the table. Together, we’re building something extraordinary that will make our community, states and country better. It only takes a few minutes to complete this survey, and your voice is invaluable in shaping the next steps for WOFA-VA. Let’s continue to be the ones who show up! When we fight! We win! SURVEY HERE

WofA Members Meeting
this Saturday,
February 8th
New Location!

Wednesday, February 5th! 2:00PM – 3:00PM Vienna, VA
Visit Senator Mark Warner’s Vienna Office – Demand he and Senate colleagues fight back
Please join WofA and our friends at Fairfax Indivisible in demanding Senator Mark Warner fight back against the Musk-Trump Federal Funding Freeze. He and his Senate colleagues must act now to halt the process on the nomination of Russell Vought for OMB Director and use all levers at their disposal to fight the assault on our communities. RSVP Here: Event is at capacity

Wednesday, February 5th, 7:00pm
Spanberger for Governor Grassroots Coalition’s February 2025 virtual meeting
During this meeting, we will discuss the petition stage of collecting signatures to get Abigail on the ballot. Please come ready to share some of your stories about what is working and what areas others can adapt to ensure a successful collection of signatures! If someone you know wants to join the Spanberger for Governor Grassroots Coalition, please email Brandon Thurner at [email protected]. RSVP here

Saturday, February 8th 12:30pm – 3pm (12:30-1:00 Setup/Social)
WofA Membership Meeting & Indivisigather! New Location!
Clarendon Presbyterian Church, 1305 N Jackson St, Arlington
Due to an overwhelming response – we have moved the meeting to a larger venue: Join WofA Membership and Friends as we come together and carve a path forward for the next 4 years. We will have various workshops; break outs and other activities to inspire, educate and energize everyone. For planning purposes, please email Micaela (pls do not Reply All!) at [email protected] and let her know that you can make it! Info: The meeting will take place in “The Sanctuary” (main/upper level) – enter through the rainbow ramp door off of the parking lot. Clarendon Metro (.3 miles – 7 minute walk). You can park in the lot (GPS address next door to 1308 North Irving Street Arlington VA 22201) or on the street.

Sunday, February 9, 2025 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Valentines to Legislators – in person in Alexandria
Join Virginians for Reproductive Freedom (a collective of 16 reproductive health organizations in VA) in writing Valentine’s messages to your legislators who are fighting to protect reproductive rights this year in the General Assembly! The Valentines will be collected and delivered to legislators on Valentine’s Day – Friday, February 14th. Register HERE

Monday, February 24, 2025 7:00PM – 9:00PM
NAACP – All Branch February General Membership Meeting
Virtual on Zoom

Saturday, March 22nd, 9:30am
RISE Summit
The annual ‘Rise To’ Summit brings together local and state leaders, organizers, activists, students, and community members to tackle the issues that stand in the way of progress and a more equitable future for our community and nation. The summit aims to engage the next generation by raising awareness, showing them how they can get involved, and instilling in them the idea that their voice matters. This year’s summit will be held at Rock Ridge High School on Saturday, March 22nd. It is a safe and welcoming space, and all are invited to attend.
• There is no entrance fee.
• We are collecting items for Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter, our spotlight organization.
• Lunch and snacks are provided.
• All money raised goes to ‘The Women and Gender Studies Scholarship’’.
RSVP Here

Saturday, March 22
Abigail Spanberger for Governor Reception – Central/ N.Arlington
Please join friends and neighbors as we show our support for Abigail Spanberger’s Campaign for Virginia Governor. This November’s race is crucial to keeping Virginia safe from the ongoing assault by the current President and his posse. For more information and to RSVP or Donate, please see: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/asfg032225

June 27-29, 2025
Save the Date: 9th Annual WOMEN’S SUMMIT
Location: Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/pe3nsyb7

Calls to Action (CTAs)

Federal

Latest from Indivisible HQ
See a recording of Indivisible’s Feb 2 discussion HERE.

Tell U.S. Reps to Protect Public Schools
Don’t let Congress divert public education funds to private schools. The President and Congress plan to require states to divert public education funds to private schools via direction in the federal budget to use funds for vouchers or “scholarships.” Public education is a cornerstone of democracy, a quality public education is the right of every American, and public schools are strictly accountable. Private schools are not. Diverting funds meant for public education to private schools will starve public schools of needed funding and destabilize and undermine the quality of the education our children receive. Click Here to Take Action

Tell Senators to stick together! Vote NO on Vought
“Russell Vought is dangerously unfit to serve as director of OMB.” – Sen. Merkley
Russell Vought, Office of Management & Budget nominee, is the mastermind of Project 2025. He will dismantle federal programs and enforce an extremist agenda.
Take Action:
• Write your Senators [Indivisible form]
• Call your Senators [Senate look up]
• Indivisible says to tell them: Use every procedural weapon in the arsenal. No business as usual. No cooperation with extremists. No easy path for Trump’s agenda.

Additional CTA Links
• More Actions

Virginia

Ask Legislators to Support RGGI Budget Amendments

Restore protection and funding for communities – clean air, energy efficiency for low-income homes, flood protections for all. Please ask Democratic legislators to support budget items 4-5.12 #2s (Locke) and 4-5.12 #1h (Herring). We need the support of all Democratic legislators. These budget amendments require Virginia to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) immediately and use its revenues derived from polluters, as originally directed by 2020 law, to fund low-income energy efficiency projects and flooding prevention.

Click Here to Take Action

Tell your Legislators to Oppose Mass Surveillance, HB 2724

Unfortunately this bill has advanced out of House Courts of Justice. So we need to take urgent action again to stop this bill. This is a NEW Call to Action that will now go to your Delegate urging them to vote NO. The bill will likely be on its first read today, the second read on Friday, and a final vote on Monday. Please take action again and share to defeat this bill.

Click Here to Take Action

Ask Your Legislators to Support Paid Family Medical Leave

Delegate Sewell introduced HB 2531 in the House. Paid family and medical leave will provide the physical health, mental well-being and stability that every family in Virginia deserves.

Click Here to Contact Your Delegate

Ask Your Legislator to help save local pharmacies!

SB875 is a bipartisan bill introduced by Senator Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) and co-patroned with Del. Katrina Callsen (D-Charlottesville), Senator Hackworth (R-Richlands) and Del. Kilgore (R-Wise).

Click Here to Take Action

Let’s get these campaign finance bills passed on the floor of the House and the Senate.

It’s a 30 year miracle that common sense campaign finance bills are actually working their way through the General Assembly. Your legislators need to hear from you right now. Ask them to vote “yes” to bills moving through Committees and onto the floor of the two chambers.

Click here to make your voice heard.

House: There are currently two bills that have passed the House: Delegates Krizek (HB2140) and Watts (HB1744 ). In addition, three or four bills will likely be heard on Monday or Tuesday: Delegate Cole- restricting personal use of campaign funds (HB2165 ); Delegate Simon- public financing of elections (HB1761); Delegate Sickles- disclosure of use of synthetic media (HB2479 ) and disclosure of independent expenditures in electioneering communication (HB2670).

Senate: Senator Rouse’s JLARC study has passed the Senate on a voice vote (SJ255) as well as Senator DeSteph’s bill authorizing appeal of penalties (SB 945 ). Monday or Tuesday, two limits bills will be heard (Senator Deeds- SB1469 and Roem- SB1050 ) as well as Senator Boysko’s bill (SB1002 ) restricting personal use of campaign donations and Senator Surovell’s disclosure of AI in media electioneerings communication that influences the election (SB 775) . For more information, check our website and as well as this update on the status of bills.

ICYMI:

Black History Month: African Americans and Labor
Information & Toolkits

BLACK HISTORY THEMES

CLICK HERE to access 2025-Black-History-Theme-Executive-Summary
CLICK HERE for the Black History Month website.

ICE – Training for Individual and Information
Please see the following for virtual trainings; toolkits and updates on what we can do to make sure that families in our communities aren’t detained by ICE, and to expose many more people to the reality that MAGA only cares about billionaires – not the workplaces and schools that will be in crisis after every detention. Find out more HERE.

List of Confirmed Cabinet w. votes

PFLAG Connects – Communities
Locate your LGBTQ+ community and find out how to connect to the next virtual meeting HERE.

Find/Follow WofA:

BluSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wofava.bsky.social