TDW of Ellis County

May 19, 2026 Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Kathryn Mossom at 6:01 p.m.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 21 members and 1 guest were in attendance.

Meeting Minutes and Treasurer Report:

The April meeting minutes are available online. Barbara Fudge noted 1 typo correction to the April minutes.  Joanne Hunt made a motion to approve minutes. Helen Brock seconded.  All ayes.

Treasurer Joanne Hunt reported a PAC account balance of $5350.00 and a Scholarship balance of $7175.42. Priscilla Clore made a motion to approve report. Rebecca Cockerham seconded.  All ayes.

Presentation

Dunja Hunt and Kim Simmons shared an informative presentation entitled “Turning the Page or Tearing It Out” about what is happening with attacks on our libraries, who is behind the attacks and what we can do about it.  They also shared their advocacy efforts in Midlothian.

Highlights:

  • Book banning is censorship; no one should tell others what they can or cannot read
  • Book banning was a big issue for New Braunfels, Irving and Salado recently
  • The Freedom to Read Act of 1953 message has never changed; We must trust people to decide
  • Go to ala.org for more information
  • Book banning is being pushed by conservative groups, state legislators, and local (moral/parent) groups
  • Librarians, booksellers, educators, civil rights groups, and other local organizations are standing up to defend our intellectual freedom and access to literature
  • For more info on Texas Freedom to Read project: txftrp.org
  • Banned book list, also known as the Matt Krause list can be found online
  • Other resources include PEN America at pen.org; Watch the PBS documentary: “The Librarians”

What can you do?

  • Get educated about book banning in your local community
  • Become involved
  • Support your library through the “Friends of xxx Library” groups
  • Speak up and help shape your school and library policies

Committee Reports:

Audit – Linda Baker

No report

Advocacy – Mary Lou Shipley

No report

Community Outreach – Carol Young for Julie Mendenhall

Carol stated that the Community Outreach committee is continuing to collect essential items for CARE Services beginning now through the June meeting. CARE Services (formerly Waxahachie CARE) provides Ellis County residents with thousands of pounds of food each week, partners with multiple utility companies, offers financial assistance, and connects neighbors with medical, spiritual, and personal growth resources.  See careservicestx.org for more information.

CARE Services is in need of baby diapers (sizes 3-6), baby wipes, pull ups (sizes 2T-6T), baby and toddler snacks, toddler good nights (XS-M) as well as toothbrushes, travel size soap, washcloths, travel size toothpaste, travel size bug spray and travel size mouthwash.  You can bring these items to the Democratic HQ on weekdays when it is open (Contact Terri Crouch). Last day to bring items is June 16th.

Finance – Linda Baker

No report.

Fundraising – Nancy Post

The fundraising campaign for candidates is closed.

Membership – OPEN

Kat stated that she is working to divide the Membership Committee into smaller tasks.  Still looking for a Chair.

Program – Nancy Post

June speaker will be Coretta Graham, former President of the Texas Democratic Women via Zoom.

Refreshments – Carol Young

Thank you to Mary Brooks for May refreshments.  June will be Barbara Lee.

Scholarship – Kathleen Bowen

Kathleen reported that the Scholarship Committee went to the Awards Night for both Midlothian HS where Oliva Alvarez was the $1500 recipient and Midlothian Heritage HS where Lauren Rodriguez was the recipient. Olivia and Lauren will both attend the June 16th meeting to read their essays.

Voter Registration – Mary Brooks

School is out so nothing upcoming.  Vivian Gibson is giving out white voter registration cards to businesses that she knows.  Has had positive responses.

Communications/PR/Marketing – Ginger Cole

Ginger reported that she is still putting meeting notices in the papers.

Old Business

Kathryn handed out the new TDW-EC business cards and asked everyone to hand them out.  She was able to get 500 cards for $60.00.  Mary Brooks stated she will donate $60.00 to buy more.  These help to identify our organization and let people know there are Democrats in Ellis County.  She also showed the new TDW-EC note cards that can be used for thank you cards. These will be stored at HQ.

New Business

America 250 Celebration:

Becky LeBreton discussed the America 250 celebration.  She has purchased banners. She stated after the 10:00 a.m. parade in Waxahachie, there will be free hot dogs and soft drinks at HQ.  Donations will be accepted.  Anyone interested in helping – contact Becky.  Important to get the word out.  Ginger Cole suggested having a banner on the float that reads “Free Hot Dogs at Democratic HQ”. The parade float is being coordinated by Kelly Blackburn. Ginger’s son has a trailer if needed.

Kat discussed creating new outreach material such as “What it means to be a Democrat?” and provide a comparison between when Ann Richards was governor and when Greg Abbott is governor showing the disparity (for example) between when Richards was governor Texas was 4th in Education; Now with Abbott in charge Texas is 48th in Education.  See Kat to help with the design and creation of these materials.  It was agreed that the longer printed cards work and the donkey representing the working class work best.

Finance and Executive Committee met to discuss how to distribute the $2400.00 available for the Candidate Fund.  A recommendation was made to provide the following candidates:

$400.00 each to Dr. Oyinkansola Jinadu, Pam Hampton, Michael Myers, Keenen Colbert, Amy Martinez-Salas, and Amy Taylor. Nancy Post made a motion to approve the recommendation for the candidate fund.  Helen Brock seconded.  All ayes. Checks will be sent on June 1st.  Kat will notify Kelly Blackburn.

Kat discussed the recent Member Survey and shared some of the results.  Full results will be emailed to all members.  Priorities for TDW-EC are Grow & Engage, Community Building, Educate/Register Votesrs and Support Democratic candidates.  Nancy Post was the drawing winner of $25 gift card and yard signs for completing the survey.

Kat discussed T-shirt designs.  She will come up with options and a vote will be taken at the June meeting.

Kim Simons (with Mary Brooks support) suggested that all Democratic subgroups (Young Dems, Midlothian Dems, etc.) get together for a Happy Hour on July 9th. Goal is to get all groups together, see where there are similar activities and become better united as Democrats. Volunteers to help organize are needed.

Kat stated that Barbara Turner, longtime TDW-EC member and past president, passed away recently.  A $50.00 donation will be given in her memory to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin.

Kat welcomed new members and acknowledged May birthdays of members.

Ellis County Democratic Party Chair Report

No report

Announcements

Kathryn announced new members and April birthdays.

Carol Young reminded everyone to bring the CARE Services items no later than June 19th.

Consider volunteering for the America 250 4th of July activities.

Consider volunteering for the July 9th Happy Hour for all Ellis County Democrats.

Adjournment

Barbara Fudge made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  It was seconded by Becky LeBreton.  All ayes. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.