CAMP Rehoboth and the Womens FEST Committee deserve to be very proud of the 2016 Womens FEST. It was outstanding.
What a pleasure to have Ellie Smeal, one of the leading feminists in this country, come to update us on our quest for equality for women. She was dynamic, informed, and an example of what it is to be a woman with a mission!
Another presenter of star quality was the founder and president of Olivia Music and Olivia Travel. Among other things, she was responsible for bringing the still cherished music of Meg Christian and Chris Williamson to many of us who walked the walk in an earlier time.
Then, Vicky Noble, scholar, medium and psychic reader, gave readings from a deck of mediumship cards reflecting both the Tarot and the philosophy of the ancient matriarchy. Vicky not only gives readings from the cards but actually helped develop the new deck to help women seeking wisdom in today's world.
As if this were not enough, Laura Liswood described her life-time effort to interview and bring together females who were either the President or the Prime Minister of Countries in the international community. She shared a video of these interviews and talked about the annual Summit she has created that brings world leaders together each year.
This was a first rate Womens FEST and gets a top rating. It was not only informative but brought many together who shared their own stories and their lives. It was a spark of perfection in a world of the ordinary—and a real pleasure.
Mary Anne Fleetwood
The First State once again can lead the way by showing Congress how legislators can actually work together in a bipartisan manner to address critical issues.
The League of Women Voters has been fighting for 96 years to improve the quality of life for all citizens. Here in Delaware, the League has been partnering with other groups and agencies for years to solve the poverty crisis. One program mentioned that has continually garnered support from both major political parties is the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Program. This program is one of the most effective mechanisms we have within our public policy programs to lift people out of poverty. Last year, 73,000 Delawareans received $170 million in EITC funds, averaging $2,309 per qualifying taxpayer.
But there is a problem: if the state EITC program is greater than the state tax due, the low-income worker does not receive the refund. Most states have refundable programs; only Delaware, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia do not. The League of Women Voters of Delaware strongly supports making Delaware’s EITC program refundable to target aid to some of the lowest-income workers and provide work incentives.
We urge all legislators to work together in the democratic spirit of bipartisanship to reduce the suffering of our poorest citizens.
Jill Fuchs, President League of Women Voters of Delaware
Thank you so much for your gift of $2,000. We are so happy that Judy Dlugacz was honored at your Women’s FEST, and that she recommended NYF to receive this generous gift! Your support makes such a difference to NYF, and to all of the children and families who are counting on us.
Between the devastating earthquakes in the spring, and the political unrest that was preventing essential goods from crossing the border, the people of Nepal survived tremendous hardships in 2015.
We’re so grateful that the generosity of NYF supporters allowed us to respond immediately with disaster relief and to provide for the children in our care despite these challenges.
The compassion and caring of friends like you make all the difference in helping fulfill our commitment to do whatever it takes to help some of the most destitute children in Nepal. Thank you for being an essential part of this transformative work.
Thank you and dhanyabad!
Kelly Anderson and Som Paneru, Nepal Youth Fund