Dear DWD Member,

On January 15, I was proud to be inducted as president of Democratic Women of the Desert along with the other women that comprise your leadership team for 2012. Other DWD officers are: Josephine Kennedy, who is filling two roles: vice president and treasurer; Ingrid Pratt, secretary (new to the board); and Julie Bornstein, assistant secretary (new to the board).

Women chairing committees are: Barbara Liner, political action; Mel Lobel-Karimi, programs; Maxine “Tookie” Marcellin, fund-raising; Linda Wells-Roth, membership; and Suzan Wilkinson, immediate past president (who spearheads DWD voter-registration efforts).

Our team will work to ensure programs and activities support our stated purpose of promoting social, economic and political policies that reflect the priorities of women.

We thought it would be good to start this critical election year with a discussion about re-electing President Barack Obama. So, please join us on Sunday, Feb. 19, at Mission Hills Country Club, to hear speaker Donna Shepherd, regional field organizer for Obama for America. Now, you can pay online, using PayPal through our Website (www.democraticwomenofthedesert.org). Also, let Ingrid Pratt know you’ll be attending (760/218-0377 or ingrid2r@yahoo.com).

Lastly, I want to encourage you to send ideas and suggestions as we work to put together a great series of programs this year. Please discuss your ideas with any board members you may know or send me an email: dori@cabaret2u.com

Dori Smith, President

DWD Candidate Recemmondations

At the January meeting, DWD board members voted to recommend the following candidates for election in 2012:

• Dr. Raul Ruiz, candidate for the 36^th U.S. Congressional District;

• Denise Moreno Ducheny, for the 51^st U.S. Congressional District;

• Assemblymember V. Manuel Perez, for the 56^th California Assembly District; and

• Mark Orozco, for the 42^nd California Assembly District.

Each candidate completed the DWD candidate questionnaire.

DWD Voter Registration

It is imperative that Democrats in the Valley register more progressives in 2012. DWD registers voters at several sites including College of the Desert, Cardenas Market in Cathedral City, K-mart in Indio, and the Farmer’s Market in La Quinta. Please volunteer. Contact Barbara Liner at mbliner@gmail.com or Suzan Wilkinson at swilkin2012@dc.rr.com.

Fundraiser for Denise Moreno Ducheny

Julie Bornstein and Sheila Kohl are hosting a fundraiser for Denise Moreno Ducheny, who is running for the new 51^st Congressional District, which represents Imperial County and parts of San Diego County. Details:

• 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

• Julie’s home in Palm Desert.

• Supporter: $100; Patron, $250; Host, $500.

• RSVP to Karen at 619/239-1388.

• Contribute online at www.dmduchenyforcongress.com.

DWD board members will present a donation to Ducheny at the event.

Killing the Commission on the Status of Women

Governor Jerry Brown wants to eliminate the Commission on the Status of Women, along with other state agencies. While Governor Brown says he needs to cut waste, some say the commission still has a lot of work to do. Senator Noreen Evans of Santa Rosa defended it, citing these statistics:

• Women are 50.3 percent of the state population.

• Only 28 percent of California legislators are women.

• Only 24 percent of county supervisors are women.

• Just 16.8 percent of the U.S. Congress are women.

• Women run only 16 of the top 400 companies in California.

• More info: www.women.ca.gov

DCCC Recognizes Ruiz

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), in its Red to Blue program, highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country. This week, it recognized Dr. Raul Ruiz on the “Emerging Race” list. He plans to unseat Mary Bono Mack in the new 36^th Congressional district. DCCC supplies financial, communications, grassroots and strategic support to these candidates. To contribute to his campaign and receive updates, visit www.drraulruiz.com.

Perez Talks with Clinton

Assemblymember Manuel Perez, who is on the Assembly’s Committee on Health, discussed health issues with President Bill Clinton on Wednesday at the “Health Matters Conference” in Indian Wells. Clinton and the Clinton Foundation held the meeting in conjunction with the PGA’s Humana Championship. The two discussed efforts to improve access to care in the Valley. Representing the 80^th assembly district, Perez is running for re-election in the new 56^th assembly district. More info: www.asmdc.org/members/a80.

Obama Can Sing!

It’s good when President Obama relaxes, and lets us learn a little more about him: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6uHR90Sq6k.

Dori Smith

dori@cabaret2u.com

760-774-5513

29 Via Cielo Azul

Palm Desert, Calif.

92260