March 2026

Cynthia Rubenstein • March 2, 2026

WDC Newsletter — March 2, 2026


Celebrating Women's History Month  in Montgomery County


President's Letter

In honor of Women’s History Month, I’m highlighting three iconic women leaders whose lives continue to inspire and move Americans to action.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862-1931) lived a life of tireless truth telling. She was a journalist, anti-lynching activist, a women’s suffragist, and an early civil rights movement leader. Wells-Barnett pioneered the field of investigative journalism and, in 1895 she published “A Red Record.” This 100-page book provided history and a statistical record of lynchings of African Americans, shaping the anti-lynching movement. Her brave and dogged work unequivocally demonstrated that lynchings were racist murders, no ifs, ands, or buts.


Frances Perkins (1880-1965) was the first woman to join a presidential cabinet as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945. When she was appointed, she gave the President a list of policies she intended to pursue. On that list were things we now take for granted as Americans: Social Security, unemployment compensation, the banning of child labor, the minimum wage and the 40-hour work week. 

Dolores Huerta, born in 1930, is most well known as the co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union with Cesar Chavez. A consummate organizer and negotiator during her long career, she has gone toe-to-toe with fellow lobbyists and elected officials on behalf of farm workers and their families. To this day, she continues to develop leaders and advocates for women and their families through the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

WDC honors figures like Ida, Frances, and Dolores this month by continuing to press for state and county legislation to protect Maryland women and their families. Many of our members are also participating in collective action to save our democracy. Please read the rest of this newsletter for opportunities to take-action-for-good in commemoration of Women’s History Month. There’s something for everyone. 

Cynthia Rubenstein


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Advocacy Corner

WDC Annapolis Day - February 4
by Kate Stein

Yes, there was Weather. There was snow outside the Louis L. Goldstein Treasury building. There was snow outside the Lowe House of Delegates Office Building. There was snow outside the James and Miller Senate Office Buildings. And there was snow outside the Maryland Statehouse. February 4th was a typical winter day and a great day for advocacy. 

The more than thirty WDC advocates were fired up! Comptroller Brooke Lierman hosted us for the day. The new House of Delegates speaker, The Honorable Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk, and our host, The Honorable Brooke Lierman, Comptroller of Maryland, addressed us first. The Speaker shared her story and legislative priorities and spoke passionately about the needs of immigrants and the importance of education, while the Comptroller shared an overview of the comptroller’s function. Both were generous with their time and willingness to answer advocates’ questions. Subcommittee chairs and other issue captains huddled and then dispersed to pre-scheduled meetings with legislators. Some advocates were able to visit morning committee meetings and listen to hearings. 

Delegate Dana Jones, President of Women Legislators of Maryland, addressed the group at lunch and shared legislative activity focused on improving the lives of girls and women in the state. While we ate, many members of the Montgomery County Delegation who were not in committee meetings stopped by to speak to our group. A special thanks to Delegates Crutchfield, Korman, Lopez, Mireku-North, Palakovich Carr, Queen, Solomon, Spiegel, Vogel, Wims, and Senator Waldstreicher. 

We then walked en masse to the State House, where we met with Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, who shared the work of the administration and answered questions from our youngest advocates, our NextGen members, who are politically motivated students from Walt Whitman High School.

Our Advocacy is not over. Many bills will be heard in committee over the next few weeks, including a WDC priority bill, HB1356 / SB857, which aims to protect employees from being forced to choose between employment and speaking and protesting lawfully when they are off duty. The Maryland Employee Civic Activity and Lawful Expression Protection Act is sponsored by Delegate Lopez in the House and by Senator Waldstreicher in the Senate. Reach out to get engaged and advocate! To view photos,  CLICK HERE!


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WDC News & Events

Rally for the Women’s Pre-release Center—BUILD IT NOW!
Wednesday, March 3 at noon at Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis.
House Judiciary Committee Hearing on HB935 at 1:00 PM
Sponsored by the Women’s Pre-release Equity Coalition (WPEC)
WDC President Cynthia Rubenstein is speaking at the Rally.

The State of Maryland has spent 17 years NOT providing women with a community-based prerelease center to assist in their return to society from the women’s state prison. The 2021 Gender-Responsive Prerelease Act required the state to build such a facility; it has failed to comply with the statute. Male prisoners have these resources. 
 
WDC has been part of WPEC since 2019. With your help, we can pass revised legislation this year that will finally force the state to provide incarcerated women being released from prison the same opportunities as released incarcerated men are given. Let’s show Governor Moore and the Maryland General Assembly that Maryland’s women want them to BUILD IT NOW! Rally with WPEC on March 3 at noon at Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis and attend the Judiciary Committee hearing in force. Please RSVP here.

What:    Rally for Women’s Prerelease
When:   12 -1 pm, Tuesday, March 3 (House Judiciary Committee Hearing on HB935 to follow)
Where:   Lawyers’ Mall (between Calvert Street and the State House), Annapolis

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Data Center Reform Rally Press Conference
For more information, CLICK HERE. 

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Navigating the Backlash: Reclaiming Progress for Women

April 27, 2026 11:30 am to 2 pm. For More information,  CLICK HERE.

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SAVE THE DATE: WDC Event
Simon Rosenberg, Thursday, April 9th from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda



Montgomery County Democratic Party News & Events

County Executive Forum with Candidates

Sunday, March 22, 3-4:30pm at Takoma Park Middle School



Montgomery County & Maryland News & Events


Governor Moore Statement on the Passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson


Published: 2/17/2026

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today released the following statement regarding the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson.

“Today, Maryland mourns the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson—a giant of the civil rights movement and a champion for the dignity of working people.

“Of the many shoulders that we stand on, Jesse Jackson’s were amongst the broadest. He led with love and reminded all of us of our voice and our power. Reverend Jackson was a trailblazer who never waited for permission or to ask for a seat at the table—he insisted on it, and he widened that table for generations to come.

“Reverend Jackson spent his life turning pain into purpose and protest into progress and organizing communities to make those promises real.

“Dawn and I send our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and to all who loved him and were shaped by his life’s work. We pray that Reverend Jackson may enjoy eternal peace and a well-deserved rest.”


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Moore signs bills banning agreements between local police, federal immigration agencies: Sheriffs have 90 days to get out of so-called ‘287(g)’ agreements with ICE

by William J. Ford, February 18, 2026, Maryland Matters

Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed emergency legislation Tuesday banning 287(g) agreements between local police agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending years of effort by immigration advocates who say local police should not be doing the work of federal agents.

Senate Bill 245 and House Bill 444 take effect immediately, and give the nine Maryland counties 90 days to end their agreements with the feds. But the fight may not be over yet, as sheriffs in several of those counties said they are considering going to court to challenge the law that they said will lead to more, not less, immigration chaos in the state. Click HERE to read the rest of the article.

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Know Your Rights Community & Business Canvassing

Montgomery Village, Maryland (exact location given upon registration)

Saturday, March 7, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Register: tinyurl.com/MoCoIRC-KYR26

A number of organizations in Montgomery County provide opportunities for involvement in immigrant support and safety. Below are just a few: 

Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center
International Rescue Committee
We Are Casa



Community Resources


Other Government Resource Websites



Fight Back & Stay Informed


No Kings, March 28, 2026


Indivisible’s Weekly WHAT’S THE PLAN? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-Founders

Join the Weekly Zoom Chat with Indivisible Co-founders Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg, who will help you wade through the week’s news, answer your questions, and provide timely calls to action. Webinars are held every Thursday, 3 - 4:00 p.m. EST.

Register HERE.



"Trusted Sources"

Downtown Nasty Women Social Group (DNWSG) has created “Trusted Sources,” a fact-based news source because they believe legacy media has failed the pro-democracy movement. DNWSG believes staying informed is an act of resistance. CLICK HERE for the current list of “Trusted Sources."


Community Activism


WDC Membership


By joining WDC, you are building community and political muscle with other Democratic members, clubs, and allies to elect Democrats and support progressive Democratic policy goals. WDC is excited to work with each of you, as we advocate for our WDC priorities, and present our Speakers Programs, Community Education Panels, social events, and service projects. And you'll be privy to our very own "WDC Members Only" Facebook page. Join us by clicking HERE!

If you're already a member and haven't already renewed, you can do so online HERE. You may also mail your $35.00 annual dues ($25 for members 35-years-old or younger) payable to "WDC" to: WDC, PO Box 34047, Bethesda, MD 20827.

 

Make a Difference—Volunteer with WDC!

WDC needs you! Can you help us in one of these positions? Not sure what a position entails? Come try it out—no obligation!

Membership Co-Chair
Events Committee Member
Finance Committee Member
Advocacy Committee Members



To learn more, please contact Cynthia Rubenstein and make sure to use the subject line: "Volunteering with WDC."