YWCA of Southern Arizona

LWVGT City Council candidate forum on October 11

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Hopefully all candidates will attend this League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson (LWVGT) candidate forum. The forum will be moderated by former LWVGT President Shirley Sandelands.  Members of the audience will be able to submit questions in writing.  Index cards will be made available for questions.

Ward 3 (open seat)

Paul Durham (D)

Gary Watson (I)

Ward 5 (unopposed)

Richard Fimbres (D), incumbent – 2 terms

Ward 6

Mike Cease (G)

Steve Kozachik (D), incumbent – 2 terms

Mariano Rodriguez (R)

Also this week on October 11: Both Ward 3 candidates will be hosted on the Bill Buckmaster radio show (1030 AM on the dial) at 12:30 p.m., www.buckmastershow.com.

AZPM Channel 6 Metro Week will be hosting the City Council candidates on Friday the 13th of October, 6:30 p.m., or online  at ww.azpm.org.

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Equity Forum to meet Ward 3 Democratic Council candidates

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Info from LSA:
“The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, YWCA of Southern Arizona, Living Streets Alliance, the Southwest Fair Housing Council, and L.U.P.E.Tucson (Lucha Unida de Padres y Estudiantes) invite you to meet the Ward 3 Democratic primary candidates on Saturday, August 5th from 10:30am to 12:00pm at the Donna R. Liggins Center,2160 N. 6th Avenue, for the first-ever candidate forum to focus specifically on equity.

All the primary candidates are confirmed to attend: Felicia Chew, Paul Durham and Tom Tronsdal. (There is no primary on the Republican ticket, as there is no candidate running.)

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The 13 year Odyssey of Odyssey Storytelling

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March 24, 5 to 8 p.m. at YWCA of Southern Arizona, 525 N. Bonita Ave., Tucson

“Now more than ever, we must celebrate the uncensored voices of diverse community members. This is exactly what Odyssey Storytelling has been doing for thirteen years through monthly live shows featuring the true stories of everyday people in Southern Arizona.

This celebration and fundraiser will be emceed by Editorial Cartoonist and Humor Columnist, David Fitzsimmons, and will feature a reading by Penelope Starr from her newly released book, The Radical Act of Community Storytelling: Empowering Voices in Uncensored Events.

This step-by-step guide chronicles Starr’s years growing the community of Odyssey Storytelling. Why did a fifty-eight year old artist decide to take on a small project that turned into a successful nonprofit storytelling organization? What challenges did she face and how did she survive them? How can other communities create their own storytelling events? Experience her joys, frustrations and laughter. The Radical Act of Community Storytelling is packed with practical tips and plenty of inspirational stories.

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World Premiere of “Digna” play at YWCA of Southern Arizona

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Digna Theater’s first production is the play “DIGNA” by Patricia Davis. February 23-26 and March 2-5 at 7:30 pm at THEATRE @YWCA, 525 Bonita Street, Tucson AZ.

Digna is directed by Barclay Goldsmith, features Alba Jaramillo as Digna, and is accompanied with live music by Rebeca Cartes.

Performances: February 23-26 and March 2-5 at Theater@YWCA, 525 Bonita Avenue, Tucson AZ.

$15 general admission, $12 for students, and Thursday is pay-what-you-can day.

About Digna Ochoa

“In October 2001, renowned Mexican human rights lawyer Digna Ochoa was found shot dead in her Mexico City office. Ochoa’s death at the age of thirty-six was declared a suicide by Mexico City prosecutors, despite evidence pointing to foul-play, her receiving death threats, and attempts on her life.

Ochoa, a former nun, went on to represent farmers defending the environment in the state of Guerrero, Zapatista guerrillas in Chiapas, and indigenous peoples in her home state of Veracruz. In her pursuit of truth and justice she challenged powerful governmental agencies. She also uncovered torture and other abuses by the Mexican military and police.

Ochoa was twenty-four when she discovered a blacklist of union organizers and political activists in the office of the state attorney general. A few days later, she was kidnapped and raped. Her family and fellow human rights activists rejected the finding of death by suicide, and fought for the case to be re-opened. Ochoa’s case was reopened in 2005. Regrettably state prosecutors maintained suicide as the origin of her death.

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