How MWEG Members Engage - Voices of MWEG

engage - Mormon Women for Ethical Government members — Lights for Liberty vigil in Logan, UT, as organized by MWEG member Nathaly Lambert.

Throughout the year members of Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) have been engaging in proactive advocacy, attending rallies, sending emails and making phone calls to their representatives, writing op-eds to their local newspapers, and more! The women of MWEG have included their family members and friends in their efforts to serve in their communities. No matter how big or small the contribution, our members are doing magnificent work. Take a look at some of your successes from the spring and summer:

Many of you have been gathering with members of your state chapters and building relationships with state and federal representatives. For example, members of the Nebraska chapter met in person with Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2) to discuss immigration reform and to encourage him to read and champion MWEG’s citizens’ solution for ethical immigration reform. We would like for each member to build relationships with legislators and will be introducing more resources to help you do so.

Don Bacon - Mormon Women for Ethical Government — Members of MWEG’s Nebraska chapter met with Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2) to discuss immigration reform.

In May, Cassie Ore Stewart attended an interfaith meeting to discuss organizing and opening a Dallas respite center for asylum seekers to help with relief at the El Paso border. With her nonprofit, Rio Valley Relief Project, and the nonprofit Carry the Future, they were able to supply baby carriers for migrant mothers.

As July began, numerous Lights for Liberty vigils took place across the country, some of them organized by members of MWEG. Nathaly Lambert hosted a Lights for Liberty vigil in Logan, Utah, after consulting with a fellow MWEG volunteer for tips and pointers.

MWEG members and friends at a Lights for Liberty vigil in Omaha, Nebraska.

Also in July, Melarie Sandberg Wheat met the Aghan refugee she will be mentoring and helping with English for the next two years. She reported to our Facebook discussion group on the importance of being able to get to know — on an individual, personal level — the people you are advocating for.

In August, Cindy Badger and her children traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border while on a visit in Arizona. She spoke with her kids about what’s going on with refugees and the circumstances they are trying to escape. They were able to donate supplies to the refugee aid mission in Tucson.

The U.S.-Mexico border, as photographed by MWEG member Cindy Badger with her children.

Debra Oakes Coe and Ana Ramos Mattson held the first “Love Your Neighbor” event, sponsored by MWEG’s Anti-Discrimination Committee and the Utah Chapter of MWEG, where they worked on service projects benefitting members of the local community.

These are just a few of the great things MWEG members have been up to this past spring and summer. We also acknowledge the small, simple ways you go about serving and affecting change in your communities and in the world around us. We applaud your proactivity and engagement, in whatever shape it takes!