One of the missions of West County Democrats is to educate members on important issues. We are grateful to these wonderful speakers for their education & information.
List of WCD Speakers
2016
January 11, 2016: “Four Candidates’ Views from the Ground in Franklin County” with Susan Cunningham, Bobbie Bollmann, Lloyd Klinedinst, & Tom Smith
February 8, 2016: “Talkin’ Weird Weather With Climate Skeptics” with
Don Corrigan, Professor of Journalism, Webster University, and editor and co-publisher of the two suburban weeklies, Webster-Kirkwood Times and South County Times
March 14, 2016: “Delegate Selection Process” with Bob Levine, Delegate Selection Chair of the MO Democratic Party; Get to Know Missouri State politicions with Bill Otto, Mo. 2nd Congressional District, Jake Zimmerman, Mo. Attorney General, Byron DeLear, Mo. 70th House District, Mike Evans, Mo. 113th House District, and Panel Moderator: Glenn Koenen, Mo 95th House District
April 11, 2016: “Mass Incarceration in the U.S.” with Michael Campbell, professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UMSL
May 9, 2016: “Confronting Economic Inequality in the 21st Century” with Allan MacNeill, Ph.D., professor of political economy in the Department of History, Politics and International Relations at Webster University
June 16, 2016: Field Trip Outing to the Lewis and Clark Museum, St Charles Mo
July 11, 2016: “Getting to know our Missouri State Politicians” with Sue Meredith, Mo. 71st House District, Scott Sifton, Mo. Senate 1st District, Deb Lavender, Mo. 90th House District, and Panel Moderator: Glenn Koenen, Mo 95th House District
August 8, 2016: The State of Education in Missouri—The Challenges that Lie Ahead with Peggy Cochran, State advisory Board of Directors for the Missouri Women’s Leadership Coalition
September 12, 2016: “The Story of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America” with Becky Morgan, Missouri Chapter Lead
October 10, 2016: “Getting to know our Missouri State Politicians” with Jill Schupp, Mo. Senate District 24, Sarah Unsicker, Mo. District 91, Nicole Galloway, Mo. State Auditor, and Panel Moderator: Glenn Koenen, running, Mo 95th House District
November 14, 2016: “The 2016 Election: What Happened, Why, and What Does It Mean?” with Professor E. Terrence (Terry) Jones is Founders’ Professor of Political Science and Public Policy Administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis
December 12, 2016: “The History of Housing and Homelessness in Metro St Louis and It’s Response” with Tom Burnham, Community Relations Officer for St. Peter & Paul Community Services (PPCS) and liaison to St Louis city and county governments addressing the needs of the homeless and low income individuals and families.
2015
January 12, 2015: “What Is Better Together?” with Marius K. Johnson-Malone, Deputy Director of Community Based Studies for Better Together, St. Louis, MO
February 9, 2015: “Modern Issues in Civil Rights” with Christopher T. Hexler, attorney, & participant in 1964’s Freedom Summer, Mississippi
March 9, 2015: “Missouri Legislative Update” with Glenn Koenen, Chair of Hunger Rights Task Force, Missouri Association for Social Welfare
April 13, 2015: “Health Care for All Americans: Sing, Choir, Sing!” with Dr. Ed. Weisbart, Chair, Physicians for a National Health Program – Missouri Chapter
May 1, 2015: “Environmental Missouri: Issues and Sustainability, What You Need to Know” with Don Corrigan,
June 8, 2015: Annual Field Trip Outing – UMSL campus to visit the historic Mercantile Library
July 13, 2015: “Show-Me Democracy? Let the Welfare of Those that Bought Access Be the Supreme Law” with Dr. John Messmer, Prof. of Political Science at St Louis Community College and founder of Missourians for Government Reform
August 10, 2015: “Healthcare & the Missouri Medicaid Gap” with Rene LaFerla, BSW social work from Fontbonne University, working towards masters in Social Work at SLU and Glenn Koenen
September 14, 2015: “How to Put Your Money where your Mouth Is & Responsible Investment” with Sr. Barbara Jennings, CSJ, Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet & Director of MCRI, Midwest Coalition for Responsible Investment
October 12, 2015: “Missouri Jobs for Justice” with Richard von Glahn, Organizing Director of Missouri Jobs with Justice
November 9, 2015: “Politics of Race & Gender” plus “Ferguson Happened…..Now What?” with Amy A. Hunter, Director of Racial Justice at YWCA Metro St. Louis
December 14, 2015: “Sweet Celebrations: Making A Big Impact With Little Celebrations” with Beth Brockling, Founder of Sweet Celebrations, providing birthday celebrations for children in homeless shelters
2014
January 13, 2014: “Beyond the Affordable Care Act: Healthcare Reform 2.0” with Dr. Ed Weisbart, Chair of the St. Louis chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program
February 10, 2014: “US Foreign Aid: Global Leader or Ugly American Redux?” with Dr. Peter Matlon, Adjunct Professor in Cornell University’s Applied Economics and Management Department, Board Chair of the agricultural research center AfricaRice, and member of boards and advisory committees of several other US and African institutions.
March 10, 2014: “Planned Parenthood & the Affordable Care Act” with Tim Williams, Director
April 14, 2014: “Right to Work – Wrong for Families” with Mark Buchheit, Director of Protect Missouri Families
May 12, 2014: “Missouri 2015: Future for Hunger Rights” with Glen Koenan, Chair of Hunger Rights Task Force, Missouri Association for Social Welfare
June 9, 2014: “STL Movers & Shakers”, Annual Field Trip to Bellefontaine Cemetery
July 14, 2014: “Sue Shear Institute” with Vivian Eveloff, Director
August 11, 2014: “Immigrants in St. Louis” with Kate Howell, VP of Development and Communications for the International Institute of St. Louis and Assistant Director of the Festival of Nations
September 8, 2014: “Missouri Education Update” with Carl Peterson & Gary Sharpe
October 13, 2014: “Center For Women In Transition” with Laura Toledo, Executive Director
11/10/14: “Voices for Children” with Jennifer C. Hoffman, Director of Legal Services for Voices for Children – STL
12/8/14: “Sweet Potato Cookie Project” with Sylvester Brown, Jr., Founder
2013
January 14, 2013: “The Inauguration of President Obama” with Philip Deitch, Chairman of Stonewall Democrats of Eastern Missouri
February 11, 2013: “As If We Weren’t There…” with Deborah Nelson Linck, Founder of the Hands on Black History Museum
March 11, 2013: “Right to Work Legislation” with union representative from United Food & Commercial Workers, Local 655
April 8, 2013: “The Reality of Climate Change” with Ken Denson, co-chair of the volunteer/appointed Chesterfield Citizens Committee for the Environment & trained member of the Climate Leadership Corp of The Climate Reality Project
April 2013: Legislative Field Trip to Jefferson City, MO
May 13, 2013: “The Energy Race” with Gregg Maryniak, Chairman of the Department of Energy and Environment at Singularity University, hosted by NASA’s Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California; Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; & Secretary of the X Prize Foundation.
June 10, 2013: Annual Field Trip to The Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis and The Mahatma Gandhi Center in Ballwin, MO
July 8, 2013: “Missouri Coalition for the Environment” with Heather Navarro, Executive Director
August 12, 2013: “Finding Freedom: Representing Victims of Abuse in Prison for Killing Their Abusers in Self Defense” with Amy J. Lorenz-Moser, Attorney, Armstrong Teasdale
September 9, 2013: Panel Discussion on School Safety, focusing on guns& mental health with speakers: Carl Peterson, Communication Speaker for Save Our Schools; Dr. J. Terry Gates, The Hoenny Center – teacher reform; and Melissa Brooks, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
October 14, 2013: “ALEC and Influences upon Missouri Legislators” with Sean Nicholson, CEO of Progress Missouri
November 11, 2013: “National Alliance on Mental Alliance” with Jackie Lukitsch, Director of Advocacy
December 9, 2013: “Angels’ Arms: Providing Homes, Embracing Children, Fostering Families” with Pat Lanane, CFO of Angels’ Arms
2012
January 9, 2012: “Advocating for LGBT Equality” with Andrew Shaughnessey, Director of PROMO
February 13, 2012: “Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid & Tax Cuts for the Wealthy” with Suzanne & Bob Reinhold, attorneys
March 12, 2012: “Health Care for the Underprivileged” with Jorge Riopedre, Executive Director of Casa de Salud
April 9, 2012: “Missouri Tax Policy” with Amy Blouin, Founder & Executive of the Missouri Budget Project
May 14, 2012: “Missouri Foundation for Health” with Ryan Barker, Director
June 11, 2012: “Voter Rights & Impact of ALEC” with Denise Lieberman, Senior Attorney for Voter Protection Project, Advancement Project
July 9, 2012: “Candidate Forum of Missouri Democratic Candidates for Lieutenant Governor” in the August 7, 2012 primary elections, featuring the following 5 of the 8 Democratic primary candidates for Lieutenant Governor: Judy Baker: Former member of the Missouri House of Representatives and a former Region VII Director for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; Bill Haas: Member, St. Louis School Board, attorney and Democratic nominee for Congress in 2008; Fred Kratky: Former member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing District 65, and Missouri Broker/Realtor; Sara Lampe: Democratic member of the Missouri House of Representatives, representing District 138 (central Springfield) since 2004. She currently serves as Minority Caucus Secretary; and Becky Plattner: Missouri Conservation Commission chairwoman, former Presiding Commissioner of Saline County, and former candidate in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor in 2008.
August 13, 2012: “Health Care, Taxes and Social Justice in the Upcoming Missouri Legislative Session” with Rep. Rory Ellinger
September 10, 2012: “Education Update in Missouri” with Peggy Cochran & Gary Sharpe, Missouri Public Schools Advocates
October 8, 2012: “Ballot Initiatives” with the following speakers: Proposition A, Municipal Police Amendment: Martin Casas; Proposition B, Tobacco Tax: Amy Blouin from The Missouri Budget Project; Proposition E, Health Care Exchange: Dr. Terry Jones, Professor of Political Science at UMSL; Proposition L, County Libraries, Charles Pace, Director of the St. Louis County Library; and Constitutional Amendment 3, Judicial Appointment: Stuart Berkowitz from the Missouri Bar
November 12, 2012: “Reviewing the 2012 Elections” with Lana Stein, Professor Emerita in Political Science and Past Department Chair at the University of Missouri St. Louis
December 10, 2012: “Puppies for Parole” with George Lombardi, Director
2011
January 10, 2011: “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010” with Judith Parker, Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans
February 14, 2011: “Stem Cell Research for a Healthier Tomorrow” with Jim Goodwin, Communications Director of Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures
March 14, 2011: “Don’t Count Out Democrats” with Alvin Reid, Nine Network and 101 ESPN
April 11, 2011: “Impact of Media on the Political Process” with Art Silverblatt, Professor, Department of Communications & Journalism at Webster University
May 9, 2011: “Climate Change” with Carl Bender, Wilfred R. and Ann Lee Konneker Distinguished Professor of Physics at Washington University
June 13, 2011: “Structure & Responsibilities of the Federal Reserve Bank” with Rod A. Jokerst, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
July 11, 2011: Annual Field Trip – Holocaust Museum & Learning Center, Jewish Federation Kopolow Building
August 8, 2011: “2011 Legislative Wrap-Up” with speakers: Senator Robin Wright-Jones, Rep. Jeanne Kirkton, Rep. Mary Nichols, Rep. Jeanette Mott-Oxford, and Rep. Margo McNeil; Marty Ott, Moderator
September 12, 2011: “Push for Progress – Getting Excited and Involved in Missouri Democratic Politics” with Susan Montee, Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party
October 10, 2011: “Looking Past Election Cycles to Generational Change in Politics” with Arthur Lieber, co-founder of Civitas Associates
November 14, 2011: “Microfinancing as a Strategy to End Extreme Poverty” with Heather Cammarata, Executive Director, and Sister Toni Temporiti, Founder & Director of Microfinancing Partners in Africa
December 12, 2011: “My Wake-up Call to Racism” with Franklin McCallie, community leader and retired principal of Kirkwood High School
The Archives: 2001-2010
2010
Bill McClellan
Susan Kidder
William Freivogel
Scott Baier
Cat Kelly
Joan Bray
Jean Carnahan
Charlie Dooley
2009
Tonya Ogden
Tracey McCreery & Stacey Newman
Ed Finkelstein
Ray Hartmann
Eric Greitens
Jill Schupp, Margo McNeil, Jeanne Kirkton, & Vicki Englund
Sylvester Brown
Tour of St. Louis Community College at Wildwood
Amy Smoucha
Joan Suarez
Jo Mannies
Jake Zimmerman
2008
Dennis Lavalee
John Temporiti
Dan Raniere
Jeanette Mott Oxford & Gene Leung
Marilyn Lorenz
Margaret Donnelly & Jeff Harris
Charles Wheeler, Clint Zweifel & Andrea Simckes
Rose Rita Huelsman
Terry Jones
Glenn Koenan
2007
Danielle Silber
Alberta Slavin & Jeff Theerman
Leila Medley
Clint Zweifel
Sidney Watson
Peter Downs & Barbara Fraser
Mike Evans
Rose Huelsmann & Tina Busch Nema
Jon Hagler & John Hickey
Nina Balsam
Sam Page
Jake Zimmerman
2006
Amy Blouin
Deb Dubin
Peggy Cochran
Beth Griffin
Mary Ann McGivern
Barbara Ross, Ben & Pat Martin & Jeanette Mott Oxford
Deb Dubin, David Eagleton, Bernie Frank, Gen Frank, & Margarida Jorge
David Kimball
2005
John Hickey
Nancy Farmer
Myrna Fictenbaum
Amy Blouin
Jean Carnahan
Maida Coleman & Sam Page
Corey Dillon
Wayne Henke & Nancy Copenhaver
Peter Campbell
Stacey Newman & Jeff Harris
Margaret Donnelly
Ed Finkelstein
2004
Jeff Smith, Pat Shores & Mary Gaffey
Harriett Woods
Nancy Farmer & Joan Kelly Horn
Bekki Cook & Mark Smith
Ken Jacob & Rick Johnson
Charlie Dooley, Lori Allen, Jo Ann Kaell & Kristy Manning
Ed Bishop
Rita Days
Dave Robertson
Sylvester Brown
David Kendall
2003
June Bartley, Ken Curtis & CT Sharp
Burt Newman
Mimi Signor
Robin Wright Jones
Nancy Grove
Carl Mitchell
Ray Hartmann
Robin Carnahan
Janice Moreno & Loraine Miller
2002
Stacey Newman
Allison Gee
Maggie Thurman
Barbara Fraser
Bernie Frank
Josh Campbell
Mike Kelly
Stacey Newman & Michelle Trupiano
May Scheve
2001
Margaret Eaton
Myrna Fictenbaum
Annette Mandel
Barbara Bennett
Deleta Williams, Shirley Breeze & Betty Tyson