League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Jane Kirshenheiter Zimmerman Issues Briefing

media release: JUSTICE FOR ALL IN WISCONSIN

This year, we explore what justice means for key populations in Wisconsin including Native/Indigenous peoples and lands, unfair judicial sentencing practices, and discriminative legislation targeting the LGBTQIA+ community.

Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:30 pm: Justice Matters for Native Americans: Learn from GLIFWC's* Jason Schlender and Olivia Gower about Anishinaabe (Native) law, treaties, and policies and laws impacting treaty rights. Then, hear from Wisconsin Conservation Voters' Maria Haskins about barriers to voting for the Native American population in Wisconsin and beyond. *GLIFWC: Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

SATURDAY, NOV. 16, 9:30 am: Justice Matters in Our Judicial System: Judge Everett Mitchell will discuss sentencing inequity in Wisconsin, record expungement, prison conditions and lack of diversity amongst Wisconsin's judges. Speakers Kate Donovan and Peter Horton of Redistricting Data Hub will talk about prison gerrymandering in our state and its impact on districting as well as voting rights for incarcerated individuals.

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6:30 pm: Justice Matters for the LQBTQIA+ Community: Hear from Fair Wisconsin's Abigail Swetz, Executive Director, and Sean O'Brien, Policy & Advocacy Director, about anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation in Wisconsin and our country at large. This session will focus on the impacts of this legislation on minors and schools, and what it means for LGBTQIA+ future generations. Following is a panel discussion featuring Dr. Britt Allen, MD, and Dr. Ronni Hayon, MD, about barriers to providing essential care for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

LWVWI Issues Briefing is now the LWVWI Jane Kirschenheiter Zimmerman Issues Briefing. Steve Zimmerman and his wife, Sharon, have established a fund to honor Steve's mother and provide long term support for LWVWI's Issues Briefing. Jane was a member of the Dane County League, formerly the Madison League, from 1968 to 1973. She was a stay at home mother like so many women of her generation and found intellectual stimulation, companionship with like minded women, and an outlet for advocacy in her League work. Jane cared about the issues the League studied and the positions we adopted. To honor her memory, the Jane Kirschenheiter Zimmerman Fund will forevermore ensure that the League can continue to explore topics important to League members through expert testimony and discussion at our annual LWVWI Jane Kirschenheiter Zimmerman Issues Briefing.