We are the Johnson County Democratic Women, North and South
We are sister organizations, working together to engage women in politics and help get Democrats in Johnson County elected.
North ZOOM Meeting
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Come at 6:00 to socialize or at 6:30 to hear from our speaker
Special Guest: County Commissioner Becky Fast
Becky is the County Commissioner for Johnson County District 1, which includes Fairway, Merriam, Mission, Mission Hills, Mission Woods, Prairie Village, Roeland Park, Westwood, Westwood Hills and northern Overland Park and portions of Leawood.
Becky Fast has a long history of public service and commitment to the county. She served two terms on the Roeland Park City Council and was elected unanimously to serve as council president. She is a graduate of the Johnson County Citizens Academy and the Northeast Johnson County Chamber leadership training program. She has participated in the Shawnee Mission School District MVP program, volunteering in her neighborhood schools.
Other experience includes directing public policy research at the University of Kansas, working closely with the Kansas legislature. She also served as the director of constituent services for former Congressman Dennis Moore. In that role, she helped cities in northeast Johnson County access federal funds to improve storm water management and the Turkey Creek Streamway conservation and trail corridor. Commissioner Fast has a master’s degree in public administration and social work from the University of Kansas.
South ZOOM Meeting
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Come at 6:00 to socialize or at 6:30 for the meeting!
Special Guest: Representative Brandon Woodard
Topic: Our Student Debt Crisis
Brandon Woodard is a community organizer, advocate, and lifelong Kansan representing District 30 (Lenexa and Olathe) in his second term in the Kansas House of Representatives. Outside of the Legislature, Brandon works as a higher education fundraiser. In Topeka, Brandon is a fierce advocate for public K-12 and higher education funding, LGBTQ rights, and reforms to make Kansas an attractive destination for young people. This term, Brandon is the ranking minority member on the Higher Education Budget Committee, and serves on Federal & State Affairs, and Taxation.
Kansas Federation of Democratic Women
2021 Virtual State Convention
April 30- May 2
The Kansas Federation of Democratic Women invite you to join us for our 2021 Virtual State Convention. Attendance is Free. Love offerings appreciated.
North Meeting Recap
We had a conversation with rural Kansas Democrats:
Kali Barnett, who ran for US House in District 1
Mark Pringle, who ran for state house in District 2
Alana Cloutier from District 2
Democrats face intimidation from Republicans in rural Kansas in the form of stolen or vandalized signs. They are reluctant to speak up or write letters to the editor.
4 hospitals in District 4 have closed.
Laura Kelly has helped rural communities and we need to make sure they realize that.
Kali would like to register new voters, and start getting middle and high school students interested in voting and civic participation.
We need to approach the numerous independent colleges in District 1.
The idea of sister cities was suggested, and needs to be fleshed out.
South Meeting Recap
I want to extend a BIG THANK YOU to the panel of honest, earnest, hard-working candidates, Deann Mitchell, Michael Shimeall, Katie Dixon, and Stacey Knoell , as well as support staff, Carol Shimeall and Nikki Johnson-MacDonald, who shared stories of campaigning – the heartache, exhaustion, and intimidation right alongside the joy of meeting neighbors, forging lifelong friendships, and having a “POSSE” to call their own. We’ve all worked, cheered, and sobbed throughout the past few years.
A VERY special thanks goes out to Michael and Carol Shimeall as one week ago, Michael underwent heart surgery.
It was a lively discussion, full of great advice for both candidates and volunteers. If you missed it, and want to know more about becoming a candidate, the Johnson County Democratic Party will have upcoming trainings – you can contact them here.
Still not sure you want to run? Check out this article: Run for Office? You’re More Qualified Than You Think
At Johnson County Democratic Women South (and North) we strive to get women Democrats elected to office (and men who advocate for women’s issues). That is the mission. We also strive to help, empower, lead, follow, command, share, commit, and assist any Democratic candidate in Johnson County. We are a PAC so we can also assist financially (please join, you must be a member to partake in funds).
In the next few months, you’ll see candidates at our meetings. (How about you? Would you like to run for School Board?) If you don’t want to run, there are still MULTIPLE ways to assist a candidate. If you find someone you connect with or someone you can stand behind, I ask that you do so. Find someone to support. Or come to our meetings to connect with the candidates!
Cassie Woolworth
President, JCDW South
So, now what?
Currently we have 39 seats up for election in 2021. In 2022 we will have our House Reps, Governor/Lieutenant Gov., and other elections. We’re going to need to build our coalition – our POSSE.
Here are the open/available offices .
About Us
Johnson County Democratic Women North and South are pat of the Kansas Federation of Democratic Women, which is part of the National Federation of Democratic Women.
Our mission is to empower women to run for office and to support the election of like-minded Democrats to state and local office. We do this through education and training, but especially through donations to qualified candidates. Your financial donation to either of our organizations will go directly to Democratic candidates running in Johnson County.
Donate Today!
Check out the Johnson County Democratic Party Event Calendar for more ways to get involved this month!