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
2024
January 8, 2024: Russ Carnahan, MO Democratic Party Chair. Presentation of the plans and actions of the Missouri Democratic party in the most significant election year of our time.
February 12, 2024: Dennis Lavallee, Senate District 15 Committeeman and Wildhorse Township Committeeman Presentation—Understanding the Democratic Presidential Primary Process for Election Year 2024
March 11, 2024: Effective Democratic Messaging – Chelsea Rodriguez, Managing Communications Director of the Missouri Democratic Party
April 10, 2024: PRESENTATION – ELECTION 2024!! Democratic Nominee for Missouri’s Attorney General Elad Gross. Elad is a constitutional and civil rights attorney who often represents Missourians harmed by our government, He has successfully defended Missouri’s Sunshine Law at our state Supreme Court, stopped our state government from persecuting whistleblowers, protected workers’ rights on the job, and secured the release of innocent Missourians from illegal jailings.
May 13, 2024: –Missouri’s Abortion Rights Petition –What’s Next? Luz Maria Henriquez, Executive Director of the ACLU of Missouri
June 10, 2024: Two term MO House Representative Barbara Phifer from the 90th District and Candidate for MO Secretary of State presented update on latest legislative session and future direction in Missouri.
July 8, 2024: ELECTION PREVIEW 2024!! We invited many candidates for office, including Federal and State offices, to speak to us about their campaigns and how we can HELP THEM WIN IN NOVEMBER!!
September 9, 2024: MO State Treasurer Candidate Mark Osmack and other candidates speaking about the upcoming election and campaign progress within our region.
October 14, 2024: Honoring Deb Lavender for her years of service to the people of West County and the State of Missouri.
November 11, 2024: Election Wrap-Up with Dr. David C. Kimball, Professor and Chair of Political Science, University of Missouri-St. Louis.
2023
January 9, 2023: Mary Gross is the Membership Lead-Missouri for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She has been a volunteer with Moms Demand Action since 2014, when she started making phone calls and passing out literature to oppose bad gun legislation.
February 13, 2023: Brittany Kiefer, staff member with Missouri Jobs with Justice, updated us on Missouri’s Initiative Petition Process and the the MO Legislature’s is attempt to significantly and negatively alter the 115-year-old MO Initiative Petition Process, undermining the “will of the people.”
March 13, 2023: Rep. Barb Phifer discussed the current litigation filed against the state of MO for infringing upon religious freedom by banning abortions, as well as other timely topics such as using public money to fund private schools.
April 10, 2023: Heather Fleming, the founder and director of In Purpose Educational Services (IPS) presented Equity in Education
May 9, 2023: Cynthia S. Holmes, President of the STL Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, discussed the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE and spoke on current litigation filed against the state of MO for infringing upon religious freedom by banning abortions, as well as other timely topics such as using public money to fund private schools.
June 12, 2023: MO Democratic Party: How We Can Help Dems Win in MO and Nationwide SPEAKER: Yvonne Reeves-Chong, MO Democratic Party Vice-Chair.
July 10, 2023: ELECTION 2024 PREVIEW by Elad Gross a constitutional and civil rights attorney who often represents Missourians harmed by our government.
Sept 11, 2023: ELECTION 2024 PREVIEW by Sara Unsicker an attorney, mother of two, MO House District 83 Representative, and candidate for MO Attorney General.
October 9, 2023 PRESENTATION: VOTING RIGHTS IN MO by Denise Lieberman, a nationally recognized voting rights lawyer who has been on the front lines of voting rights debates in Missouri and around the country for the last 20 years.
November 11, 2023 PRESENTATION: PRESERVING OUR DEMOCRACY—FRED WELLMAN, a political consultant, public relations executive, and Army veteran with 36+ years of experience leading and consulting top organizations and individuals. He is the host and producer of the “On Democracy with FP Wellman” podcast on the Meidas Touch Network and Substack community.
December 11, 2023
PRESENTATION: WELCOMING AND HELPING NEW REFUGEES —ADIL IMDAD, head of the Social Service Department of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis will speak about opportunities for us to advocate for and support new refugees in our community. The “charity arm” of the Islamic Foundation is House of Goods Baitulmal.
2022
January 10, 2022: Tony West discussed “The Safe Side of the Fence,” a documentary he filmed to examine our nation’s nuclear legacy, and how those endeavors affected workers and communities in our area
February 14, 2022: Stephen Webber, the political director of the Missouri AFL-CIO discussed the role of unions in our state and how Democrats can support Union workers and workers’ rights in general.
March 14, 2022: Pulitzer Prize winning author, Tony Messenger discussed the still occurring practice in our state and nation-wide of criminalizing the poor through punitive fees for even short jail terms. This is the topic if his new book, “Profit and Punishment”
April 11, 2022: Jennifer Slavik Lohman, chair of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition’s Anti-Disinformation Working Group shared her presentation “Voting Rights, Misinformation, and Disinformation”
May 9, 2022: Dr. James Croft, of the Ethical Society of St. Louis presented “Maintaining the Separation of Church and State” to address the rising influence of Christian Nationalists in our state and national politics
June 13, 2022: Representative Peter Merideth discussed the highlights and low points of the ’22 Missouri legislative session, just completed.
July 11, 2022: West County Democrats hosted a meet and greet with Democratic candidates running in the November election at Faust Park
August, 2022: No meeting
September 12, 2022: Topic: Reproductive Rights – Post Roe v Wade Former House Representative and current nominee for MO House District 98, Deb Lavender and MO House Representative Barbara Phifer, District 90, running for re-election, spoke about what is next in MO after abortion bans were enacted here.
October 11, 2022: Presenter Clayton Herbst, Executive Director of the St. Charles County Democratic Committee reviewed the issues at stake in the November election.
November 14, 2022: Professor Anita Manion from UMSL will be discussing the election results and the ramifications for all of us in this region.
December 12, 2022: Cynthia R. Miller, Executive Director at Circle of Concern spoke about Food Insecurity in St. Louis County and neighboring counties
2021
January 11, 2021: Elad Gross spoke about his initiative “Take Back MO.” He has fought for better government, a fairer criminal justice system and funding of education.
February 8, 2021: Topic: National Popular Vote (NPV) Initiative Explained by Robert Allen, Speakers Bureau Representative for St. Louis League of Women Voters
March 8, 2021: Topic: 2021 Vision for Missouri by Michael Butler, St. Louis Recorder of Deeds and the new Missouri Democratic Party’s incoming chair. He is excited to lead over one million Missouri Democrats for the coming year. He says the road ahead to rebuild the state party is long and arduous but the team knows that work well.
April 12, 2021: Topic: Current Election Issues in Missouri and the United States by David C. Kimball, a professor and interim chair of the Political Science department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
May 10, 2021: Topic: A Conversation with Judge Ted House, the last elected Democrat in St. Charles County. Judge House served as a MO State Representative from 1989-1994, MO State Senator from 1995-2002, Associate Circuit Judge 2003-2004, and Circuit Judge from 2005-2020. He retired from the bench at the end of 2020 as the last elected Democrat in St. Charles County as well as the longest serving elected official at 32 years.
June 14, 2021: Topic: Why is Our Area So Red? Speaker: Dr. Kenneth F. Warren, Professor of Political Science at St. Louis University and President of The Warren Poll.
July 12, 2021: Open discussion with Deb Lavender, a former member of the Missouri legislature who has unique knowledge of the lay of the political landscape in our state and our region. She is working with a group that is focused on rebuilding the influence of the Democratic party over the next 10 years.
September 12, 2021: Dr. Anita Manion, Assistant Professor in Political Science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis provided her insights on Current Issues in state and national politics.
October 11, 2021: Trish Gunby, State Representative in Missouri’s 99th House District, spoke about her experiences as a member of the Missouri Legislature and the difficulties proposing and passing legislation given the extreme partisan divide in our state.
November 8, 2021: Teona McGhaw-Boure’ and Helena Webb, both former Democratic candidates for districts in the Missouri House, presented Claim Your Power MO a new initiative to engage voters in under-served communities.
December 12, 2021: West County Democrats closed out the year with a presentation by Michael Berg from the Sierra Club MO. Mr Berg updated out members on environmental issues that face Missouri.
2020
January 13, 2020: “How Do We Select Presidential Candidates? “ Joan Kelly Horn, former Congresswoman and Executive Director of the St. Louis Community Development Administration; Legal Services Coordinator for the St. Louis County Department of Human Services.
February 10, 2020: “Fighting GOP Extremism with Aggressive Tactics” Charles Jaco is a journalist and author who worked for Fox 2, KMOX, KTRS, CNN and NBC News. He covered wars and conflict throughout the Middle East and Latin America, as well as Congress, the White House and the Pentagon.
March 9, 2020: “Update on the status of St. Louis County” Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis County Executive. Dr. Page’s political career began in the Missouri House of Representatives where he served from 2003-2008. In 2014 Dr. Page was elected to represent District 2 on the St. Louis County Council. In 2019 he was elected County Executive and took a leave from his medical practice to assume a full-time role.
July 13, 2020: Nancy Price, a member of the Executive Board of the League of Women Voters, Metro St. Louis. She is in charge of their Speakers’ Bureau and will be able to provide clear and timely directions and procedures for participating in this extremely important election season
August 10, 2020: In August our guest speaker, Dr. Dave Robertson, Political Science Department at UMSL, suffered a medical emergency which caused us to cancel the August 10 meeting. He is recovering well and provided West County Democrats with a video of the presentation he would have made to the group during our meeting.
September 14, 2020: The West County Democrats hosted award winning journalist Charles Jaco to discuss the state of politics in our country and region. His viewpoints provide a valuable framework for us to consider as we prepare for the upcoming elections.
October 12, 2020: The Covid Election– Pulitzer prize winning journalist, Tony Messenger discussed the ramifications of the upcoming elections while our state and country experience the worst public health emergency of our time.
November 9, 2020: Insights and Analysis of the 2020 Elections Speaker: Dr. E. Terrance Jones is Professor Emeritus, Political Science and Public Policy at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
December 14, 2020: Political Insights for 2021- Dr. Anita Manion is an Assistant Professor in Science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
2019
February 11, 2019: “Voter rights and issue of suppression in St. Louis” Gena Gunn McClendon, PhD Director of the Voter Access and Engagement and the Financial Capability and Asset Building initiatives at the Center for Social Development at the Washington University Brown School.
March 11, 2019: “Mass Incarceration Community Initiative: An overview of the criminal justice system, the devastating consequences of mass incarceration, testimonial from an impacted individual and community involvement.” Samantha Stangl, Mass Incarceration Community Education Initiative and Jacob Eikenberry, an expert on mass incarceration in the United States.
April 9, 2019: “The Truth About the GDP, Jobs Numbers and US Stock Market: How Accurately Do They Reflect “How Well Americans Are Doing?” Speaker: Allan MacNeill, a Professor of Political Economy in the Department of History, Politics, and International Relations at Webster University.
May 13, 2019: The West County Democrats hosted Pulitzer Prize winner, Tony Messenger of the St. Louis Post Dispatch at our May meeting. Tony spoke on a range of issues that affect our State and the St. Louis region.
July 8, 2019: Former Senator Claire McCaskill presented to a full house at the West County Democrats meeting today. While she has been out of the spotlight for just a little while and the ‘hardest working Senator’ took time from her new role as an NBC analyst to share her uniquely qualified perspective.
August 12, 2019: Alaina Smith with Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri addressed the West County Democrats at our August meeting to clarify the mission of her organization and recent activities concerning reproductive health.
September 9, 2019: Burt Newman, formerly General Counsel for the ACLU and adjunct professor a Washington University, addressed the West County Democrats with his presentation- The NRA’s Fraud: Fabrication of Second Amendment Rights.
October 14, 2019: Dave A. Cook, President of UFCW 655 shared his insights into the labor movement and the state of politics in Missouri.
November 11, 2019: Lauren Gepford, Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director discussed the results of most recent elections and presented the party plans in the State of Missouri for 2020.
December 9, 2019: Maggie Menefee, Executive Director of ALIVE discussed the mission of her organization — to provide temporary housing and support services for victims of intimate partner abuse in the St. Louis region.
2018
January 8, 2018: “Protecting Yourself Against Consumer Fraud – Identity Theft and Other Harmful Scams” with Capt. Robert A. Catlett, Jr., Assistant Chief, Glendale Police Department
February 12, 2018: “Healthcare Financing: No Solution Without Policy” with Peter G. Tuteur, MD, Emeritus Associate Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
March 12, 2018: “The West Lake Landfill: Issues and Actions” with Panel: Harvey Ferdman, Dawn Chapman, Mark Dietrich, Matt LaVanchy, and Karen Nickel
March 28, 2018: FOCUS 2018 Meeting – “New Missouri Voter Photo ID Law and Your Rights Within It” with Denise Lieberman, Senior Attorney and Co-Director of the Power & Democracy Program at Advancement Project, and Nancy Price, Speakers Bureau Chair and Secretary, League of Women Voters
April 9, 2018: “Proposition A and its Effect” with Pat White, President, Greater St. Louis Labor Council
May 14, 2018: “Presentations and Q&A with Candidates” Forum: Ian Mackey (candidate, 87th MO House District) and Mark Osmack (candidate, 2nd MO Congressional District)
June 11, 2018: Annual Field Trip – Blues Living History Museum,615 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63101
July 9, 2018: Candidate Forum: Bill Haas (for US House, 2nd MO Congressional District): Bob McCullough (for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney); Cort Vanostran (for US House, 2nd MO Congressional District); and Helena Webb (for Missouri House, 100th MO House District)
August 13, 2018: Discussion of the most recent primary election and the upcoming general election in November: Jo Mannies, political reporter with KWMU, and Peter Meridith, State Representative
September 10, 2018: “Presentations and Q&A with Candidates”: Nicole Galloway (MO State Auditor); Erica Hoffman (MO House Dist. 96); Genevieve Steidtman (MO House Dist. 101); Michael Walter (MO House Dist. 95)
October 8, 2018: “Presentations and Q&A with Candidates”: Kevin FitzGerald (MO House Dist. 89); Sarah Unsicker (MO House Dist. 91); Helena Webb (MO House Dist. 100); Mike LaBozzetta (MO House Dist. 99)
November 11, 2018: “Insights into the results of the midterm elections in Missouri and the general state of politics in our state” Charles Jaco, journalist with the St. Louis American.
December 10, 2018: “Food insecurity in Missouri” Cyndi Miller, Executive Director of Circle of Concern
2017
January 9, 2017: “The Missouri Prison Pipeline” with Mary Ann McGivern, former director of Project COPE, a prisoner re-entry program
February 13, 2017: “The Missouri Democratic Party in the 2018 Election Cycle ” with Stephen Webber, Chair, Missouri Democratic Party
March 13, 2017: “The State of Chinese-American Relations Today” with Dr. Brian Arendt, Assistant Professor of Chinese Studies and International Relations at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri
April 10, 2017: “The Art of the Possible” with Jimmy Loomis, Democratic Party activist and leader
May 8, 2017: “Redistricting in Missouri: Can We Effect Change Before The New Lines Are Out?” with Bill Otto and Cheryl Hibbeler
June 12, 2017: Annual June Field Trip to the Missouri Civil War Museum at Jefferson Barracks. Lunch following the tour at Cafe Telegraph
June 14, 2017: FOCUS 2018 Meeting: “Turn off Fox News”
July 10, 2017: “A Democratic/Progressive Agenda for Missouri” with speakers Rep. Deb Lavender, Sen. Jill Schupp and Sen. Scott SiftonJuly 12, 2017: FOCUS 2018 Meeting: “Clean Missouri”
August 14, 2017: “Religions and Peace: Locally and Globally” with speaker, Dr. David Oughton, St. Louis UniversitySeptember 11, 2017: “Changing the Climate Conversation: Resolving Global Climate Change Without National Action” with speaker, Dr. Amanda M. Rosen, Webster University
September 14, 2017: FOCUS 2018 Meeting – “Empower Missouri: Advocacy 101” (cancelled) October 9, 2017: “Why Medicare for All is the Best Solution and How to Communicate the ‘Whys'” with speaker, Dr. Ed Weisbart, Physicians for a National Health Program
October 11, 2017: FOCUS 2018 Meeting – “The Battle to Preserve Public Education in Missouri” with Peggy Cochran, past Executive Director of the Missouri National Education Association, and Carl Peterson, served two terms on the Ferguson-Florissant School Board, and Gary Sharpe, public school teacher and administrator, who also served in the Missouri House of Representatives and chaired the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee
November 8, 2017: “The Democratic Future Is Now!” with 3 speakers – Elise Miller Hoffman: venture capitalist, Wash University graduate, President of STL Young Democrats, and National Membership Director for New Leadership Council; Tyler Maxwell: SLU graduate in political science, partner in MO Political consulting, worked with Jill Schupp, Bruce Franks, Jr., and the Missouri Democratic Party; Naomi See: Senior at Cor Jesu Academy, SPARC founder, and socially conscious activist aiming toward an education in international relations
November 13, 2017: “The State Auditor’s Office: Its Mission & Activities” with speaker, Missouri State Auditor, Nicole Galloway
December 11, 2017: “St. Francis Xavier’s Outreach Program: Facilitating Access to Identification Documents” with speaker, Christine Dragonette
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: “History of Housing and Homelessness in Metro St. Louis and the 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 to residential and business groups, police and alderpersons and care providers in the neighborhoods where their programs exist
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, professor of journalism at Webster University in St. Louis,editor and co-publisher of the two suburban weeklies, Webster-Kirkwood Times and South County Times, and author of the books, “Show Me…Natural Wonders,” in 2007 and “Show Me…Nature’s Wrath,” in 2009, each published by Reedy Press
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, Founder & Director of the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life
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