Stennett Receives Annual Dottie Stimpson Award at Annual Breakfast
State Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett was recognized for her dedication and leadership in state politics by fellow members of the IDWC. Michelle’s commitment to bring respectful, collaborative, smart governing to the Idaho Legislature is an example to women statewide. We celebrate her contributions and support her efforts to create a state government that is transparent and accessible to everyone.
Read more about her nomination here.
Rita Haggardt, IDWC Region 6 Director, Honored
Rita Haggardt has been invested and involved in making a positive change since her days working in Washington DC at the height of the civil rights movement. The Pocatello branch of the NAACP presented Rita with the annual Ron Timpson Community Service Award during its annual Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon on January 18, 2014.
Rita lives a life dedicated to service to others, especially to the less fortunate in her community. She may be 70 years old but she remains very active in the Democratic Party in Bannock County and the Idaho Democratic Women’s Caucus in Region 6 as its director. Rita is a beloved member of our organization and we congratulate her on her wonderful recognition.
The presentation was covered by Chris Cole of KIDKNews in Idaho Falls. A video of the presentation and a written report about the event is available at LocalNews8.com.
Frank and Bethine Church Gala means IDWC Annual Breakfast
Every year, Idaho Democrats gather in Boise to celebrate the lives and legacies of Idaho’s first couple: Frank and Bethine Church. This annual fundraising event will be especially meaningful this year with the recent passing of Bethine in December. We encourage anyone with a calling to work for progressive change in Idaho (especially women) to consider attending this event. This weekend long event also serves as the meeting place for IDWC faithful for our annual breakfast meeting.
The Gala takes place Friday evening, March 14 from 6 – 9:30 pm. Our breakfast follows, on Saturday morning, March 15 from 8-9:30 am. This breakfast is the time that the IDWC elects its new leadership and presents the Dottie Simpson Award which recognizes the contributions of an active member of the IDWC.
Woodings Enters Secretary of State Race
For Immediate Release
Date: Jan. 31, 2014
Idaho State Representative Holli Woodings announced today that she is running for Idaho Secretary of State. Woodings was prompted to run when Secretary of State Ben Ysursa announced his plans to retire. Woodings pledges to continue Ysursa’s balanced, honest, and principled leadership to safeguard voters’ freedoms and to hold candidates and campaigns accountable.
“The first thing I did when I turned 18-years-old was to go register to vote,” Woodings said. “I have always believed that my freedom to vote is the most sacred right I have in our democracy. I know that Idahoans feel the same. I promise to do everything I can to make sure our elections are open and honest and to make voting easy and accessible to all.”
Woodings, who was named one of the 2013 Women of the Year by the Idaho Business Review, was elected to the Legislature in 2012. Notably, she opposed legislation last year that limits the voter initiative process. This year, she is working on a bill to allow people to register to vote at the same time that they renew their driver’s licenses. And, as Secretary of State, she will use her vote on the Idaho Land Board She to push for much needed reinvestment in our public schools.