Advocacy and Education Spotlight By: Amber Garrett
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he Advocacy and Education committee is responsible for providing support and awareness to Junior League members through our past and present community partners. The goal is to strengthen engagement within the League that will leave a continuous impact on the community. This work is at the heart of the Junior League and aligns to our mission of improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Erika Lundstedt is currently the chair of the Advocacy and Education committee (A&E). A former high school government history teacher, her passion for educating others about the world around them appears to be limitless. She has been a member of the Junior League since 2018. When asked what her personal take on A&E is, she shared, “There is a way to make a difference and it doesn’t have to take a huge action. If you can get a few people together to do small things, other people will notice and that will raise awareness on the issues. Don’t be afraid to have conversations, as this can encourage other people to do small acts and then a ripple effect will begin.”When a member signs up for a volunteer shift on the Junior League calendar, Erika’s committee seeks to educate them on the issues behind what they are so proudly volunteering to support.
schedule of opportunities and educational materials with our new community partner, the Family Nurturing Center, whose mission supports this cause in the Greater Cincinnati area. Ohio State representatives Brigid Kelly and Jessica Miranda will be speaking at the GMM on April 5, educating our members about Erin’s Law, which requires all public schools in each state to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. The law has passed in 37 states and is pending in Ohio and Kentucky. Through this collaboration, the Junior League strives to educate its members on prevention services that will help protect children and produce thriving families.
On October 13, 2021, the Vice Chair of A&E, Kamara Douglas, organized a Women in Politics Panel at the Columbia Center. Four women that currently hold political leadership roles in Cincinnati were present for an interactive panel led by Lacey Roberts from local news station WLWT. Cincinnati City Council members Liz Keating and current Vice-Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney, Judge Wende C. Cross and Judge Janaya Trotter Bratton spoke about how they approach leadership and the challenges they face as women in government. They also shared ways to get involved, how to grow advocacy skills and how to utilize our voices to make a positive change in society. Building on our A&E agenda, we are recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month; this is a national initiative to recognize and prevent child abuse and neglect through families and communities working together. Advocacy and Education is currently partnering with the Program Development and CandO committees to plan a month-long
Women in Politics Panel at the Columbia Center
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There is a way to make a difference and it doesn’t have to be a huge action. If you can get a few people together to do small things other people will notice and that will raise awareness on the issues. Don’t be afraid to have conversations, this can encourage other people to do small acts and then a ripple effect has begun.
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Winter 2022
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