October 2026

Advocacy Corner

On Fighting for the Future, with Friends
Kate Stein, Advocacy Committee Co-chair

Since the Maryland General Assembly Session ended in April, WDC advocates have continued their work—researching issues, meeting with legislators, advocating, and testifying. In the county, Jim Montgomery and Joan Fidler led the fight for childcare funding and the Children’s Opportunity Alliance while Liisi Fidler fought for the data center construction moratorium. In Annapolis, during the July special session, Jim and I testified in support of the constitutional (“Fight Trump”) amendment which will appear as Question 3 on your November ballot. (Vote YES)

Our advocacy is year-round because it needs to be. This means there is never a bad time for you to get involved. Choose from five advocacy subcommittees. Here, with their chairs:

 

• Advancing Democracy and Combatting Authoritarianism – Shelby Settles Harper, Alicia Contreras-Donello, and Dorothy Manevich 
• A Just Economy — Deb Williams 
• The Basics — Izola Shaw and Janet Frank 
• Children, Youth & Education — Jim Montgomery and Wylea Chase 
• Environment, Energy, Data Centers, and AI — Liisi Fidler

There is never a bad time to get involved but now is a vital one. You too can FIGHT for the future! With friends!

Email your interest to advocacy@womensdemocraticclub.org

 Why we fight 
Letter from Kate Stein, Advocacy Committee Co-chair

Many long-time members first joined WDC to find their people, socialize and learn and then in time joined advocacy in order to do more. The club, past and present, has included fierce, strategic advocates committed to making impact in Rockville and Annapolis. 

WDC has led on many issues: adoption by same sex partners, equal access to pre-release services for women, and Maryland’s Equal Rights Amendment to the current struggles for immigrant protections, employees’ rights, election reform, childcare, and many more. 

Two of our top issues for many years have been climate change and antidemocratic forces. This year, the discussion about data centers highlighted how closely these issues are tied. Coal-fired power plants are kept open to power the data centers.

We’ve all seen the chain saws and the meme coins. We’ve railed against the “billionaire tech bros.” And the tech bros have surely benefited from Trump’s graft. But they are not the only ones. See this recent piece by Bill McKibben whose subtitle reads “A datacenter is an oil well, and other insights.” My takeaway: the petro-tech oligarchs are funding fascism. 

In the spring of 2024, the House Oversight Committee, led by our own Congressman Jamie Raskin, released a report on the efforts of big oil (Exxon, Chevron, Shell, BP) and its lobbyists (API and the Chamber of Commerce) to avoid accountability for climate change. 

Raskin and Senator Whitehouse asked the AG to investigate: “fossil fuel industry companies and trade associations may have violated one or more federal statutes.” The report is a humdinger.

What happened to the report? Trump was elected and the report was buried, maybe in the drawer below the Epstein files. 

Climate and democracy may not be your top concerns. We all have different reasons for fighting. As a member of WDC we hope that you will engage with the advocacy team and find your reason.

Email your interest to advocacy@womensdemocraticclub.org

Advocacy@womensdemocraticclub.org

WDC Events

Can the President cancel the midterms?" with Ben Sheehan

Oct 5, 2026 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM ET

To RSVP, use the QR code on the flyer, or go to tinyurl.com/ben-sheehan

Montgomery County Events

Make MoCo Purple for DVAM Kickoff Event

Tuesday, October 6, 6–8 PM
Isiah 'Ike" Leggett Building, 101 Monroe Street, Cafeteria, Rockville, MD 20850 

Spend an evening with neighbors, advocates, sponsors, and County partners as we launch a month of awareness and action. Learn how domestic violence affects our community, how the Montgomery County Family Justice Center Foundation supports nearly 2,000 families each year, and simple ways you or your organization can take part throughout October. The evening will include light refreshments and a short program. This is a free community event, and all are welcome. Advance RSVP is requested.

Wear purple and help us fill the room with a visible show of support. Browse resource and information tables, connect with local organizations, and meet others who are helping Make MoCo Purple throughout October.

Please RSVP to attend. 
Organizations interested in participating may also register for a resource table.

Want to do more? Become a Make MoCo Purple sponsor.

RSVP by using the QR code on the flyer or click here.

Montgomery County Democratic Party

From the Montgomery County Board of Elections:
How to Update Your Voting Options or Voter Registration 

Dear Montgomery County Registered Voter, 

As we prepare for the upcoming election, we’re sharing our standard pre election information that we send before every voting period to help residents stay informed. 
Please see the options below if you need or wish to update your voter registration record (name, residential/mailing address, and/or party affiliation), to request a Mail-in ballot for the next or all future elections, or to cancel your voter registration.

• To review your current voter registration record, please visit Voter Lookup (maryland.gov) or text CHECK to 77788. 
• To update your voter registration record (name, residential/mailing address, and/or party affiliation), visit Voter Registration Update (maryland.gov) or text UPDATE to 77788. 
• To request a Mail-in ballot or change the method of delivery of your ballot for the upcoming Gubernatorial election or all future elections please visit Mail-in Ballot Request (maryland.gov) or text VBM to 77788. 
• To cancel an existing Mail-In ballot request and vote in person, please visit Voter Registration Update (maryland.gov) to update your request no later than 3 weeks prior to election day.
• To cancel your voter registration (if you moved out of the state, or for any other reason), please complete Voter Registration Update (maryland.gov).
• All paper forms and web links are also available at 777VOTE.ORG

There are 52 Drop Boxes in Montgomery County. They are in place and ready to receive ballots. During Early Voting, October 22-29, 2026, you may use any of the 52 Drop Boxes. Click here to use the map of all locations 

DMV News

Hands Off the Arts: Save the Kennedy Center!

On a beautiful Friday night in September, thousands gathered at the beloved Kennedy Center to spark action and express our dismay over the threatened closure or dismantling of this iconic institution.

The vigil was organized by Hands Off the Arts, an advocacy group made up largely of people who have performed at or worked at the Kennedy Center.

The message was clear: the arts matter, the Kennedy Center matters, and we must protect it. 🎭❤️

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 $55.00 annual dues payable to "WDC" to: WDC, PO Box 34047, Bethesda, MD 20827.