Greetings! What a great Tuesday Topics session held in September featuring Bob Beatty, Political Analyst and Professor at Washburn. He presented facts of our Kansas political landscape and shared highlights of candidates’ campaign kickoffs. One hour simply didn’t seem enough! There were 73 people joining us, including visitors, members and zoom attendees. As always a great time was had by all. Thanks Bob for your analysis and impartial insight and thanks again to our Tuesday Topics team and those who help provide feedback and ideas.
For the month of October, we have a unique opportunity to hear an update on the establishment of a community grocery store through the efforts of the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis by its Executive Director, Nadio Arbelo. Be sure to join us on October 7 at Noon at the Topeka Library.
Good news! We recently reviewed and reaffirmed our DEI policy. The League, its members and those who commit to the values and mission of the League stand committed to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion as we stand for the rights of all. We are also reviewing other policies as they align with our state and national entities.
As a member, your voice and presence are important to us. We have a couple of initiatives we would love to get more volunteers to work on projects. If you have an interest or have the time to commit to 1-2 hours monthly on one of the following projects, please call the League and leave your name, number, and interest:
1) Health Equity
2) Young Adult Legislative Advocacy
Our recent membership count is 216! We are growing!! You are our lifeblood. Thank you!
Welcome to our New member: Sheri! We are glad you have joined us and we look forward to working with you!
Please feel free to connect with our voter services team! They are at Washburn, in the high schools, at the Farmer’s market venues, and all over the city! Join them on POINT! They are outreaching to the community providing education on registration and voting.
Update: The Topeka League will be the host of the LWVK Convention in 2027. Great Bend will be the host of the Council meeting in 2026. This is a change from an earlier communication provided in June.
As we receive updates from our collaborators, we will share them in this format. Below are a few of the updates received.
It is our pleasure to share updates from our community partner network.
Please feel free to participate as time permits.
The Topeka Center for Peace and Justice, Inc. (TCPJ), is excited to announce their 40th Anniversary Celebration,”Pathways to Peace.” The event is October 30th, 2025, at the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden and Venue,from 5:30 – 9:00 pm. Please contact the TCPJ for a ticket and more details.
The ACLU is celebrating its 60 years Toward Freedom anniversary on October 23 at 5:30 pm in Olathe at the Olathe Conference Center. The Topeka league may have a couple of seats available at a reserved table until October 5. If interested , please contact Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn at the League of Women Voters of Topeka and Shawnee County.
If you have a community group interested in learning about the recent proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution, which eliminates the merit selection of Supreme Court Justices, please reach out to the League and we will connect you with a resource to come make presentations to your group(s).
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Best regards,
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn
President
Legislative Session Resource
I encourage you to contact members of the Shawnee County legislative delegation, by phone or email, regarding proposed or passed legislation. Included below is their Statehouse contact information.
- Sen. Brenda Dietrich Room #223-E 785.296.7648Brenda.Dietrich@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Rick Kloos Room # 418-E 785.296.7645Rick.Kloos@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Patrick Schmidt Room #135-E 785.296-7372 Patrick.Schmidt@senate.ks.gov
- Sen. Kenny Titus Room #124-E 785.296.7656Kenny.Titus@senate.ks.gov
- Rep. John Alcala Room #173-W 785.296-7371 John.Alcala@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Jesse Borjon Room #512-N 785.296.7374Jesse.borjon@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Ken Corbett Room #187-N 785.296-7679 ken.corbet@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Kirk Haskins Room #43-S 785.296.7673Kirk.Haskins@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Kyle McNorton Room #561-W 785.296.7460Kyle.McNorton@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen 785.296.7669 Room #174-W Tobias.Schlingensiepen@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Alexis Simmons Room #43-S 785.296.7632Alexis.Simmons@house.ks.gov
- Rep. Virgil Weigel Room #451-S 785.296.7104virgil.weigel@house.ks.gov
Furthermore, you may access the Kansas Legislative website at http://kslegislature.gov to review bill status and content, house and senate calendars and committee schedules. Through this website you may listen to or via video streaming follow committee hearings and General Session proceedings.
An additional resource is the State Library. You may access their services in the following ways:
- Phone:800-432-3919 or 785-296-2149
- Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924
- Email: infodesk@ks.gov
- Download the Ask a Librarian app to your mobile device.
