January - February 2026 Bulletin Issue 56
| Reminders
- Don't email funds or gift card codes without confirming the request with the person who appears to be making it. | Message From the President
Yesterday, the nation celebrated Dr. King’s birthday, although his actual birthday was January 15, 1929. I took the time to re-read his Letter from a Birmingham Jail. It was written to his white ministerial critics, who suggested he slow down and defer action. That he exhibit patience.
The letter includes so many timely quotes for our time and age, and I will not select just those that call to me. Instead, I ask you to read it with care and attention for what speaks to you.
Friends and family around us sometimes think we are too “political”; too “strident”; too eager for “justice”. Is there such a thing as too eager for justice? Dr. King did not address in this letter the injustices directed at gender, but if he were here today, I believe he would recognize those too. Is a woman dying in a hospital today for lack of abortion service? Is a young person growing breasts when they long to be otherwise? Is a child or an old woman hungry for lack of food or lack of transportation to get it?
When we are tempted to slow down; to stop action; to step back and wait for justice - let’s think of Dr. King writing this letter from the jail. Let us talk the talk, but also walk the walk.
Yours in League,
MaryKate Owens | | To LWV of Albany County Members
From the Nominating Committee
We are in the beginning stages of filling open director and officer positions for LWVAC's Board, for the 2026-2028 term. The slate will be voted on by members at the June 2026 annual meeting. We are asking for suggestions of members who are willing and able to serve on the Board, or to serve as a committee chair or second to learn the process. You may suggest yourself or someone else with whom you have checked that they are willing to volunteer. Please share your suggestions only with me; our committee work is confidential. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Yours in League,
Mary Berry, Nominating Committee Chair | | | Voter Services: Empowering Voters
Read detailed article here
NOTE: February 14, 2026 is the deadline to make a party affiliation change. To do so, complete a new voter registration and select the party enrollment of your choice. Voter registration forms.
Voter Registration Volunteer Opportunities
Contact Deb Liebman to volunteer.
- Albany Public Library, Washington Avenue Branch on January 27 from 1:00-3:00 pm, and the Delaware Avenue Branch on January 30 from 1:00-3:00.
- Maria College, February 5 from 3:00-5:30 pm.
- Naturalization Ceremonies. We will register new citizens to vote at 19 ceremonies from February through December, 2026, at the Federal Courthouse and Albany County Supreme Courthouse. See See dates, times and places.
- Tulip Festival, May 9-10, 11 am- 6 pm each day, so we need volunteers for early morning set up and then for 2-3 hour shifts during the day.
High School Voter Registration Team
Read more about the team.
The High School team provides education and opportunities for students to take their first steps towards participation in government. We are meeting on Monday, March 16, 6:30- 8pm at the Community Room of the Honest Weight Co-op. Come and be a part of our exciting team – all are welcome! Contact Marggie Skinner or Maureen Bernstein.
Our “Students Inside Albany” state conference competition deadline is Friday, January 30. To learn about this program, or to help score applications, kindly contact Anna Maria Varney.
This semester, there will be naturalization ceremonies on High School campuses, with the Federal Judicial Court of the Northern District of NY. We will assist new US citizens with voter registration. Contact Julie Elson.
Candidate Forums
We anticipate sponsoring candidate forums for school board elections in May and for primary elections in June, and will need moderators (training provided), timers and question vetters. To help in any of these roles, please email Deb Liebman. | Advocacy with LWV New York
Let New York Vote Advocacy Day, Tuesday, January 27, 10 am - 4:30 pm: Join us at the State Capitol in Albany to urge the state legislature to pass the Let New York Vote legislative priorities, and other essential voting reforms. Register here.
LWV New York State Legislative Hot Topics 2026 Briefing, January 31, 9 am - 10:30 am. Online. This program will take a look at how the New York State League adopts and takes action on issues and sets legislative priorities, and will also introduce the various state issue specialists. Register here.
Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act Rally and Advocacy Day: Monday, February 9, 2026, 10 am - 4:30 pm at the State Capitol to urge state Assemblymembers to put people over plastic by passing the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act. Meet on the 3rd floor of the Legislative Office Building. Register here. | Coming Events
Health Care Policy for Immigrants. February 4, 7:15 pm. Online program. Recent legislation and policy changes are impacting health care for immigrants. Hear about practice and access for immigrant families with Dr. Triveni DeFries, Executive Director of the UCSF Human Rights Initiative, and Ben D’Avanzo, Senior Strategist for Health and Economic Policy at the National Immigration Law Center. Sponsored by the LWV-US Immigration and Healthcare Discussion Groups. Register here to join.
What About Ranked Choice Voting? February 11, 6-8 pm, Howe Library APL. March 28, 2-4 pm at Pine Hills Library APL Join us to view Majority Rules 101, a 30 minute video about Alaska's revolutionizing their election system and changing to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Following the film, hear about examples of RCV implementation and planning, as well as about an initiative to bring it to the City of Albany. Presented by Albany Public Library and the League of Women Voters of Albany County. | | DEI Bookshelf
The Great Stewardess Rebellion: How Women Launched a Workplace Rebellion at 30,000 Feet by Nell McShane Wulfhart
Journalist Nell McShane Wulfhart describes how a group of determined women successfully organized and fought against the highly restrictive workplace rules governing the employment of stewardesses in the 1960’s & 1970’s. By collaborating and never ever giving up, they were able to change working conditions and opportunities for everyone, an important lesson for us especially these days.
(Read the full commentary here.)
| | | | Marie Buhl, Delmar
Nancy DiMarino, Loudonville
Anna Gaeta, Altamont
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| Nancy Gutterman, Albany
Mary Hall, Albany
Renee Merges, Delmar |
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| Janet Strominger, Voorheesville
Patricia Whyte, Delmar |
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In Memoriam
Vera Eccarius-Kelly, our member and gracious leader of programs on misinformation and manipulation of the public, died on December 6th, 2025. Dr. Kelly is fondly remembered, not just by the League, but also by the Siena University community and WAMC Roundtable.
| LWVUS Urges Congressional Investigation Into Federal Immigration Enforcement
On January 10, 2026, the League of Women Voters, the League of United Latin American Citizens, and Common Cause called on Congress to launch an immediate and independent investigation into a series of recent use-of-force incidents involving federal immigration enforcement personnel. The three organizations reflect a broad, nonpartisan, cross-sector concern about transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance. Read the press release here. | Of Interest
The Environment: Tips for Reducing Plastic. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have confirmed that all humans have microplastics in their bodies that negatively impact our health. Reducing our exposure is a practical step we can take. Here are 10 easy, practical ways to reduce plastics in your kitchen, thanks to Nancy Tudor from LWV Schenectady County.
Unite and Rise: How today's organizers can learn from the past. Dr. Erica Chenoweth, political scientist and co-author of "Bread and Roses: Women on the Frontlines of Revolution,” is interviewed by LWV CEO Celina Stewart, in the first in a series of talks with democracy experts on how to stand up and speak out to defend democracy. (30 minute video, recorded September 2025)
The cure for misinformation is not more information or smarter news consumers. An interview with political science professor Samuel Bagg, who says: “decades of research have demonstrated that our political beliefs and behavior are thoroughly motivated and mediated by our social identities.”. . . “Promoting a healthier democracy requires reshaping the social identity landscape that ultimately anchors other democratic pathologies.” (1 hour audio and transcript)
The Art of Democracy. A 40 minute video capturing a collaboration that linked “Creativity, Freedom of Expression, Vote 411, and Voting" -- a community art show that included with music, poetry, and voter registration and information, hosted by Beth Radow, co-president of LWV of Larchmont-Mamaroneck
| The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan grassroots organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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