Tuesday, March 16, 2021, via Zoom
5:30-6:00 p.m. Zoom Room opens for networking & socializing.  
6:00-7:00 p.m. Speakers & Business Meeting
Advanced registration is required

Speakers’ Program

• Assemblywoman Cottie-Petrie Norris
  Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of women in our past and present who have inspired us to work together to make positive changes for the benefit of so many.
• DPOC Chair Ada Briceño
  Update on the Recall Gavin Newsom Campaign and how we can support Gov. Newsom 

Business Meeting

• Membership Vote: Bylaws Amendment
  Please review proposed Bylaws before March 16

CONGRATULATIONS TARA STEELE!!!

Join us in congratulating Tara Steele, NBWDC’s immediate Past President, who was recognized by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris as one of AD 74’s Women of Distinction in 2020.  Because the Award Reception was scheduled for March 2020, it was of course postponed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. But we won’t wait any longer to congratulate Tara for this well-deserved honor and celebrate her significant accomplishments during this year’s Women’s History Month. 

March Membership Madness
Join or Renew Today!

This is a reminder that NBWDC dues payable and renewable every January 1.  If you were a member in 2020, we have extended our renewal grace period to March 31.  Take advantage of this opportunity and renew without delay so that you continue to receive NBWDC’s exclusive members-only benefits. 

If you are not yet a member, this is a great time to join.  We offer a full range of benefits exclusively for our members, including special event invitations and so much more. Details below.

Thank you for your past support.  We look forward to welcoming you as an NBWDC member in 2021!

Lend a Helping Hand

COVID has exacerbated the alarming growth of underserved individuals and families in our communities. We ask that you consider a donation to one of these important organizations. 

WISEPlace is a leader in ending homelessness for unaccompanied women through housing solutions and empowering wrap-around services that provide a path toward personal self-reliance.  

Due to COVID-19, they are not accepting drop-off items.  However, they have posted several different Wish List options, and accept financial donations as well. Please visit WISEPlace.org for details.

Thousands of people in Orange County are for the first time receiving food assistance due to the pandemic. This new demographic of people in need has created an unprecedented demand for food here and across the country. Stepping up to meet this need locally, Second Harvest has been creating in meeting these new demands.  There are many ways you can help support their efforts.  Visit their website FeedOC.org to select one or more options.

A Call to Action
Protect Women’s Healthcare Choices

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2021: Tom Johnson of StuNews Newport recently wrote a comprehensive summary of the latest actions in the Hoag/Providence matter.  We encourage to you take a moment to read it here.

UPDATE: DECEMBER 2020:  The State Attorney General’s office has declared to the court that the Founding Boards do have standing, and the case should be heard on its merits.  Hoag and NBWDC are very thankful for the support of the community as expressed through their emails to that office. Now that California’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra has been picked to join President-Elect Biden’s cabinet as head of the Department of Health & Human Services, now is NOT the time to sit back.  Be sure to read this November Los Angeles Times article for more information which is available here.

The Attorney General’s office CAN do more.  For example, it can ask that the lawsuit be expedited for a number of reasons:  

1. There are many things within Hoag’s health care delivery that are at stake; 
2. Providence has violated its 2016 agreement with the Attorney General’s office  around women’s services;  
3. Dominance within Orange County by an out of state regional system with religious restrictions is not in the best interests of Orange County patients. 

The Attorney General’s office can also argue for Hoag’s independence.  As of now, a hearing on Providence’s motion to dismiss the case is scheduled for February 1, 2021.  

We’ve created a simple letter that you can download and attach to any email you send to your family and friends.  We are also including a link to the letter that goes directly to California’s Attorney General  Xavier Becerra. 

Please email your friends and family and share both.

BACKGROUND: NBWDC’s Founding President Dr. Suzanne Savary and founding member Beryl Smith were both been active during the protests against Hoag Hospital after they banned abortion services several years ago.  They are active again in seeing protections to health care services which are limited due to Hoag’s affiliation with the Providence/St. Joseph Catholic hospital group.

Hoag doctors have complained about difficulty in getting authorizations when prescribing IUD’s and other contraceptive and obstetric services, and efforts to steer their decisions about care that are not always aligned with Hoag’s best practices, including those involving end-of-life care.

Dr. Sue and Beryl have asked that we each reach out to our family and friends and ask that they sign a letter to California Attorney General supporting Hoag’s request to severe their relationship with Providence/St. Joseph hospital group.

We’ve created a simple letter that you can download and attach to any email you send to your family and friends.  We are also including a link to the letter that goes directly to California’s Attorney General  Xavier Becerra. 

Please email your friends and family and share both.

The Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club stands in solidarity with 

Selected resources for anti-racism and social justice information, donations and actions.

• Black Lives Matter:  https://blacklivesmatter.com/  
• The Bail Project: https://bailproject.org/  
• NAAPC Legal Defense Fund (NAACPLDF): https://www.naacpldf.org/  
• Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB): https://www.cuapb.org/ 

COVID-19 Updates & Information

NBWDC has cancelled all in-person meetings, activities and events until further notice due to COVID-19 mandates issued by Governor Newsom and our OC Health Department. 

We will continue to hold events and meetings virtually until it is safe to reconvene in-person activities.  Visit our website often for updates and virtual events information.

It is vital that you follow the official COVID-19 recommendations to social distance and avoid all public places where crowds congregate, regardless of age, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds and shelter in place if you are 60 years of age or older.

Stay safe … stay socially and responsibly distant to flatten the curve sooner than later!  How important is that?  According to Hoag Hospital’s CEO, here’s why:

“Each person who self-isolates reduces their risk of infecting others dramatically. In 30 days’ time, a single individual who does not practice social isolation runs the risk of infecting 406 people with coronavirus. By reducing physical contact by 75%, that individual’s infection risk plummets to 2.5 people.”

Hoag CEO Robert Braithwaite’s entire letter is available here for you to read.  And we encourage you to do so.

If you need help with shopping and transportation, please ask.  The City of Newport Beach is maintaining its OASIS meal deliveries and transportation services for senior citizens, as well as special assistance for homebound seniors.  Call the City’s Senior Services Dept. at (949) 644-3244 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Many of our local restaurants, while closed to dine-in customers, are offering curb-side pickup and delivery.  Your local Chambers of Commerce lists these restaurants on their websites; for example, Newport Beach Chamber and Corona del Mar Chamber.

Trusted COVID-19 Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Orange County Health Department
City of Newport Beach
City of Costa Mesa
City of Huntington Beach
City of Irvine

Additional information and resources are available here

News from Governor Newsom
State requirements for essential services and stay-at-home guidelines
Orange County Health Department Updates and Guidelines
Masks and face coverings … Make your own LAT article

If you have questions or concerns, or you need assistance in any way, don’t hesitate to contact us and we will help you find the resources you need to stay healthy. 

Please follow the current restrictions and guidelines, and stay safe.  

NBWDC Board

Local Press Contacts

• Daily Pilot
• Newport Beach Independent
• StuNewsNewport 
• OC Register

Elected Officials – Federal and State

• A current listing of our federal and state elected officials is available here.

#StandwithPP Campaign (Planned Parenthood)

• Here are all the ways you can help

A Powerful Video – Marginalized Voters on a Global Scale

“Why Labour lost the election” by George Monbiot

George Monbiot is a British writer known for his environmental and political activism. Though he was born to privilege he is known for his writing on the effects of corporate greed on the environment and the political process. In this video he shares his opinion regarding why all over the world peoples appear to be voting for marginal and autocratic individuals rather than competent leaders. His analysis really gives the viewer pause to think about what is the cause of democracies behaving in an inexplicable way. It is his opinion and not everyone will agree with what he has to say, but it is an interesting perspective.  Our thanks to long-time NBWDC Member Saboohi Currim for sharing this powerful video with us.