182 results for author: Nancy Tabaka-Stencil

The Hmong Story: The History and Challenges of Resettlement

On April 6, the Hmong American Center, Inc. hosted The Hmong Story: The History and Challenges of Resettlement April is Hmong Heritage Month in Wisconsin. Since the arrival of the first Hmong family in 1976, the Hmong people have lived and worked in Wisconsin for over 45 years, and have greatly contributed to the state's rich history, culture, economy, and public service. Wisconsin is made stronger by the Hmong people who have found a home here. The Guest Speaker for this event was Lee Pao Xiong, who is currently the founding Director of the Center for Hmong and East Asian Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul, and an Assistant ...

Women for Women Wausau: The Impact of Dark Money

Women for Women Wausau Thursday, May 5 at 6 PM The Impact of Dark Money on Our Elections Millions of dollars are being spent in our elections since Citizens United came about. That is there is no longer the requirement to publicly disclose donors. We believe corporations are not people and money does not make free speech. Yet all too often we see the corruptive influence of money in our elections. Dave Svetlik, who is also one of the great contributors to Middle Wisconsin, will be presenting the lasting effects of dark money on our elections. The buying of elections will range from local school board elections to state and national. There will ...

In Our Own Back Yard

Tuesday, April 12, a group of us here in Wausau, known to most as Women for Women, hosted Esteban Chiriboga, in our series “In Your Own Back Yard.” Recently, we have found ourselves deep in environmental issues, namely water. Here is a little recap of this month’s presentation. Water is Life. Our topic this month was Enbridge Line 5. To give you a little background, the original pipeline was constructed in 1953. It extends 645 miles between Superior Wi and Sarnia, Ontario. Line 5 has 287 stream crossings in Ceded Territories. It leaves 82% of inland lakes at risk, 52% of river miles at risk and 70% of wetland acres at risk. Lake ...

Shout Out to Jeff

We have to give a shout out to one of our own once in a while. Jeff Starr is the former Vice President of the Marathon County Central Labor Council and a lifetime union member, IBEW 388. Jeff received the Ralph A. Jirikowik award for outstanding service to his community. Sadly, Covid delayed his award until now. Each year Jeff puts on the Labor History in Films in north central Wisconsin, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin. The event is a day of films mixed with a few brief lectures explaining how unionization began in the United States. Films shown are everything from Mother Jones to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Labor History in ...

Local Elections Matter

I am sending you a little last-minute reminder if you have not already voted early or voted by mail, Tuesday, April 5, is your day to get out there and vote. Local elections are so important. Often our local elections are won by a small margin. Local elections can affect us more so than a larger race, such as a presidential election. Something equally important I want to share with you is trusting in our elections. Anyone who has worked the polls before knows that people of all political persuasions participate as election workers. Each of Wisconsin’s 1,850 municipalities has a clerk who has been trained to administer elections. Some larger ...

Women for Women Presents: What’s Hiding in Big Ag and Some of Our Alternatives

What’s Hiding in Big Ag and Some of Our Alternatives Please join Women for Women on Thursday, April 7 at 6 PM on Zoom for the following event. Zoom link is listed below. Our water and soil resources are stressed. The world is facing food shortages. Join Women for Women this Thursday, April 7 at 6:00.  Our speakers are Sarah Lloyd, who hold a B.A. from Brown University in Environmental Studies and the President of the Columbia County Farmers’ Union. She is also a dairy farmer. Along with Stacey Botsford, who along with her husband Tenzin own Red Door Farms, a certified organic vegetable farm. Learn about the effects of CAFOs, soil erosion, ...

March Forth to Earth Day

We are halfway through our eight-weeks of March Forth to Earth Day. For four straight Fridays, our little rally in Wausau is one of over eighteen communities across Wisconsin marching. We have been out in very cold, wet, and windy weather each Friday, committed to sounding the alarm to everyone that we are in a climate emergency. Please join us each Friday from noon-1PM. Come for part or the whole event. We rally on Wausau’s 400 Block and bring a sign! Here is a schedule of other events statewide: https://tinyurl.com/MF2EDSchedule It is time for all leaders; local, state, and federal, to help declare that we are in a climate emergency. You and I ...

GET OUT AND VOTE

Spring elections are just around the corner and generally have a low turnout. It seems so many people vote in a presidential election but not in their local races. Are you aware that local and state governments have a more direct power over our everyday lives than state and federal elections?  Take a look at municipal races, the people you elect for these positions are deciding zoning policies, transportation, and roads in your area, as well as parks, policing, and libraries! School board races are another important race. Elected people here are looking at how to recruit, retain and compensate teachers and other staff. Our school boards had some ...

March Forth to Earth Day By Building Unity

For immediate release: March 1, 2022 STATEWIDE MEDIA ADVISORY * ~~~~~~~~~ March Forth to Earth Day - Starts on March 4, 2022 (World Day of Prayer*) Statewide Organizers: Tim Cordon - Building Unity - 608-630-3633 - BuildingUnityWi@gmail.com Grace Quinn - Sunrise Fox Valley - 920-460-5808 - gracequinn3602@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~ March Forth to Earth Day - In cities and towns all across Wisconsin Starting March 4th and continuing EACH FRIDAY through Earth Day, April 22, communities across Wisconsin will hold simultaneous climate justice assemblies of solidarity with the Indigenous-led movement to stop Line 5 and other threats ...

Senators need to pass the Freedom to Vote Act

The For the People Act was the very first bill the Democratic-led Congress submitted after Joe Biden became President.