News

EDW Member Pat McGarrity Honored with Denman Award by the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference

Pat McGarrity founded Project Transformation Oklahoma with Rev Jeremy Bassett in 2002, based on a Model they saw in Dallas, TX.

Project Transformation engages over 50 college-age young adults in ministry and service with about 500 children and youth in 9 site churches across Oklahoma in a summer literacy program improving social, emotional and spiritual learning for at risk youth.

Derrek Belase Director of Connectional Ministries for the the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference stated “It was a joy to surprise Pat McGarrity, founder of Project Transformation Oklahoma, with the Denman Award for Evangelism tonight at the OCU chapel concert. I was overshadowed by two Miss Oklahoma’s and a Miss America. I’m lucky they wanted a picture with me.”

Another way EDW members are changing the world for good! Thank you Pat for your incredible vision for the children of Oklahoma.

EDW Member Pat McGarrity Honored with Denman Award by the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference Pat McGarrity founded Project Transformation Oklahoma with Rev Jeremy Bassett in 2002, based on a Model they saw in Dallas, TX. Project Transformation engages over 50 college-age young adults in ministry and service with about 500 children and youth in 9 site churches across Oklahoma in a summer literacy program improving social, emotional and spiritual learning for at risk youth. Derrek Belase Director of Connectional Ministries for the the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference stated “It was a joy to surprise Pat McGarrity, founder of Project Transformation Oklahoma, with the Denman Award for Evangelism tonight at the OCU chapel concert. I was overshadowed by two Miss Oklahoma’s and a Miss America. I’m lucky they wanted a picture with me.” Another way EDW members are changing the world for good! Thank you Pat for your incredible vision for the children of Oklahoma.

Derrek Belase, Ashleigh Robinson (Pat’s step daughter and also an EDW member) Pat McGarrity, and Jayne Jayroe.

Amanda Gorman on Uvalde

Amanda Gorman is the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2018 and delivered the Inaugural Poem "The Hill We Climb" at the Biden Inauguration. On Twitter this week, Gorman reflects on Uvalde.

Posted on May 24th.

What might we be if only we tried.

What might we become if only we’d listen.

Schools scared to death.

The truth is, one education under desks,

Stooped low from bullets;

That plunge when we ask

Where our children

Shall live

& how

& if

Y’all we have raised almost 1 MILLION dollars for @everytown to help end gun violence in just 2 days. This is what the beginning of change looks like. Let’s keep giving.

Editor's note: Amanda Gorman's fundraiser has now raised over 1 MILLION dollars. 

Amanda Gorman on Uvalde Amanda Gorman is the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2018 and delivered the Inaugural Poem "The Hill We Climb" at the Biden Inauguration. On Twitter this week, Gorman reflects on Uvalde. Posted on May 24th. What might we be if only we tried. What might we become if only we’d listen. Schools scared to death. The truth is, one education under desks, Stooped low from bullets; That plunge when we ask Where our children Shall live & how & if Y’all we have raised almost 1 MILLION dollars for @everytown to help end gun violence in just 2 days. This is what the beginning of change looks like. Let’s keep giving. Editor's note: Amanda Gorman's fundraiser has now raised over 1 MILLION dollars.

Amanda Gorman on Uvalde Amanda Gorman is the National Youth Poet Laureate in 2018 and delivered the Inaugural Poem "The Hill We Climb" at the Biden Inauguration. On Twitter this week, Gorman reflects on Uvalde. Posted on May 24th. What might we be if only we tried. What might we become if only we’d listen. Schools scared to death. The truth is, one education under desks, Stooped low from bullets; That plunge when we ask Where our children Shall live & how & if Y’all we have raised almost 1 MILLION dollars for @everytown to help end gun violence in just 2 days. This is what the beginning of change looks like. Let’s keep giving. Editor's note: Amanda Gorman's fundraiser has now raised over 1 MILLION dollars.

Uvalde, Texas school shooting at Robb Elementary School

Oped by Krista Jones

The answer: There is no sense, no reason, no explanation, only outrage, pain, grief, heartbreak and a search for meaning. It invites a search for solutions and opens debates about how to keep schools safe. I feel called to action, but what, when we feel so helpless? So I called our Senators and asked for a vote on HR 8, The Bipartisan Background Check and HR 1446 to close the Charleston loophole on background checks. In the last 3 days, I have donated to Moms Demand Action OK, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (the latter since 1994 when the Brady Bill was passed.)

The House of Representatives sent HR 8 to the Senate over a year ago and the Senate has not found 10 courageous Republican Senators to bring it to a vote joining the 50 Democratic Senators for a 60 pass rate. Two of those senators are from Oklahoma, Senator James Lankford and Senator Jim Inhofe, whose seats are both up for election this year, Lankford for re-election and Inhofe in a special election associated with his retirement at age 87. Senator Lankford has been in Congress since 2011 and as Senator since 2015, and has an “A” ranking from the National Rifle Association. In dealing with my own grief, I decided to do a little research. Senator Inhofe was elected to Congress in 1986 and the Senate in 1994. Senator Inhofe has accepted $66,758 from the NRA according to Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in 2019 and Lankford has received $18,995 in 2019.

Tracking School shootings is a key component to understanding the impact of gun Violence on schools. I turned to Education Week .org for some statistics. In the last 10 years, there have been 119 school shootings while both of our senators have been in office with 88 killed and 229 injured. During my calls today to the senator’s offices, I asked “ tell me the number of children that have to die before they will vote for HR8 or call for the vote?” Of course, the staff will pass my concerns along to the senators and they have been receiving calls about this. Neither has come out with a position on HR8 or HR1446 according to their offices. Really? Unimaginable! It’s background checks! The most basic of safety in gun ownership.

The-same tired arguments come up, it not the guns, it’s the shooter and mental health, it’s not the guns, it’s not that the US has more gun violence than any other country, but according to the New York Times, this issue is unique to the US. Every country, people get into arguments, hold racist views or suffer from mental health. But in the US, it’s easier to pick up a gun and shoot someone. That is how an 18 year old was able to buy 2 assault weapons and kill 19 children and 2 adults in an elementary school. He had no mental health record, but obviously, to kill innocent children and adults, there are mental issues. In the last 2.0 years the US has had 101 mass shootings in which 4 or more people died , the next closest is France with 8 that is 12.62 times as many shootings in the same period. Where there are more guns there are more gun deaths.

We have an opportunity in November to let our voices be heard. Register to vote, engage voters , find candidates to support, work in their campaigns and donate, then VOTE. As Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Senator James Lankford (202) 224-5754 Senator Jim Inhofe (202) 224-4721remember in November!

How do you make sense of the unthinkable? Helpful linksTell the U.S. Senate: Take Bipartisan Action on Background Checks Oklahoma at a glance: Everytown for Gun Safety Brady United Against Gun Violence Helpful links: Tell the U.S. Senate: Take Bipartisan Action on Background Checks Oklahoma at a glance: Everytown for Gun Safety Brady United Against Gun Violence Uvalde, Texas school shooting at Robb Elementary School Oped by Krista Jones The answer: There is no sense, no reason, no explanation, only outrage, pain, grief, heartbreak and a search for meaning. It invites a search for solutions and opens debates about how to keep schools safe. I feel called to action, but what, when we feel so helpless? So I called our Senators and asked for a vote on HR 8, The Bipartisan Background Check and HR 1446 to close the Charleston loophole on background checks. In the last 3 days, I have donated to Moms Demand Action OK, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (the latter since 1994 when the Brady Bill was passed.) The House of Representatives sent HR 8 to the Senate over a year ago and the Senate has not found 10 courageous Republican Senators to bring it to a vote joining the 50 Democratic Senators for a 60 pass rate. Two of those senators are from Oklahoma, Senator James Lankford and Senator Jim Inhofe, whose seats are both up for election this year, Lankford for re-election and Inhofe in a special election associated with his retirement at age 87. Senator Lankford has been in Congress since 2011 and as Senator since 2015, and has an “A” ranking from the National Rifle Association. In dealing with my own grief, I decided to do a little research. Senator Inhofe was elected to Congress in 1986 and the Senate in 1994. Senator Inhofe has accepted $66,758 from the NRA according to Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in 2019 and Lankford has received $18,995 in 2019. Tracking School shootings is a key component to understanding the impact of gun Violence on schools. I turned to Education Week .org for some statistics. In the last 10 years, there have been 119 school shootings while both of our senators have been in office with 88 killed and 229 injured. During my calls today to the senator’s offices, I asked “ tell me the number of children that have to die before they will vote for HR8 or call for the vote?” Of course, the staff will pass my concerns along to the senators and they have been receiving calls about this. Neither has come out with a position on HR8 or HR1446 according to their offices. Really? Unimaginable! It’s background checks! The most basic of safety in gun ownership. The-same tired arguments come up, it not the guns, it’s the shooter and mental health, it’s not the guns, it’s not that the US has more gun violence than any other country, but according to the New York Times, this issue is unique to the US. Every country, people get into arguments, hold racist views or suffer from mental health. But in the US, it’s easier to pick up a gun and shoot someone. That is how an 18 year old was able to buy 2 assault weapons and kill 19 children and 2 adults in an elementary school. He had no mental health record, but obviously, to kill innocent children and adults, there are mental issues. In the last 2.0 years the US has had 101 mass shootings in which 4 or more people died , the next closest is France with 8 that is 12.62 times as many shootings in the same period. Where there are more guns there are more gun deaths. We have an opportunity in November to let our voices be heard. Register to vote, engage voters , find candidates to support, work in their campaigns and donate, then VOTE. As Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Senator James Lankford (202) 224-5754 Senator Jim Inhofe (202) 224-4721 remember in November!

Helpful links: Tell the U.S. Senate: Take Bipartisan Action on Background Checks Oklahoma at a glance: Everytown for Gun Safety Brady United Against Gun Violence

Like the bumper stickers? Like the bumper stickers? We’ll have a fresh batch at the June meeting. Donations encouraged... We'll print more bumper stickers with the money! We’ll have a fresh batch at the June meeting. Donations encouraged... We'll print more bumper stickers with the money! We’ll also have these water bottle stickers.

Food for Thought

At the May candidate forum, a woman was overheard saying, "I am beginning to feel about this election season the same way I was feeling in 2016, and I don't like it. I want to be involved and I want to do something."

Most of us know exactly what this woman was trying to say. It has been one negative blow after another it seems. The absolutely appalling the lack of decorum, common courtesy and common sense, and the perpetration of disinformation that citizens deal with. It makes your shake your head in wonder.

It is really easy for us to think that we have no chance of making any difference anytime soon. Why should we even try?

Mainly because we have learned from experience and from history that bad things happen when good people sit and do nothing. Each candidate at the forum impressed upon us that we must:

VOTE

BECOME ACTIVE

DONATE

So, we are serious when we ask you to think about the upcoming election. Educate yourself about the issues and the candidates. Do something to help every candidate that you support. Speak out. Write a letter to the editor or to a friend. Volunteer to do phone or text banking (It's so easy!), write postcards, knock doors, or drive for a candidate.

Donating to campaigns is equally important. If you are able, liberally apply your money to the candidates you deem worthy.

Exercise your precious right to vote. We can be heard. We can make a difference. We CAN flip this state!

Because, as Benjamin Franklin said, "The good that we can do together surpasses the good that we can do alone."

Food for Thought

At the May candidate forum, a woman was overheard saying, "I am beginning to feel about this election season the same way I was feeling in 2016, and I don't like it. I want to be involved and I want to do something."

Most of us know exactly what this woman was trying to say. It has been one negative blow after another it seems. The absolutely appalling the lack of decorum, common courtesy and common sense, and the perpetration of disinformation that citizens deal with. It makes your shake your head in wonder.

It is really easy for us to think that we have no chance of making any difference anytime soon. Why should we even try?

Mainly because we have learned from experience and from history that bad things happen when good people sit and do nothing. Each candidate at the forum impressed upon us that we must:

VOTE

BECOME ACTIVE

DONATE

So, we are serious when we ask you to think about the upcoming election. Educate yourself about the issues and the candidates. Do something to help every candidate that you support. Speak out. Write a letter to the editor or to a friend. Volunteer to do phone or text banking (It's so easy!), write postcards, knock doors, or drive for a candidate.

Donating to campaigns is equally important. If you are able, liberally apply your money to the candidates you deem worthy.

Exercise your precious right to vote. We can be heard. We can make a difference. We CAN flip this state!

Because, as Benjamin Franklin said, "The good that we can do together surpasses the good that we can do alone."

Food for Thought

At the May candidate forum, a woman was overheard saying, "I am beginning to feel about this election season the same way I was feeling in 2016, and I don't like it. I want to be involved and I want to do something."

Most of us know exactly what this woman was trying to say. It has been one negative blow after another it seems. The absolutely appalling the lack of decorum, common courtesy and common sense, and the perpetration of disinformation that citizens deal with. It makes your shake your head in wonder.

It is really easy for us to think that we have no chance of making any difference anytime soon. Why should we even try?

Mainly because we have learned from experience and from history that bad things happen when good people sit and do nothing. Each candidate at the forum impressed upon us that we must:

VOTE

BECOME ACTIVE

DONATE

So, we are serious when we ask you to think about the upcoming election. Educate yourself about the issues and the candidates. Do something to help every candidate that you support. Speak out. Write a letter to the editor or to a friend. Volunteer to do phone or text banking (It's so easy!), write postcards, knock doors, or drive for a candidate.

Donating to campaigns is equally important. If you are able, liberally apply your money to the candidates you deem worthy.

Exercise your precious right to vote. We can be heard. We can make a difference. We CAN flip this state!

Because, as Benjamin Franklin said, "The good that we can do together surpasses the good that we can do alone."

Food for Thought

At the May candidate forum, a woman was overheard saying, "I am beginning to feel about this election season the same way I was feeling in 2016, and I don't like it. I want to be involved and I want to do something."

Most of us know exactly what this woman was trying to say. It has been one negative blow after another it seems. The absolutely appalling the lack of decorum, common courtesy and common sense, and the perpetration of disinformation that citizens deal with. It makes your shake your head in wonder.

It is really easy for us to think that we have no chance of making any difference anytime soon. Why should we even try?

Mainly because we have learned from experience and from history that bad things happen when good people sit and do nothing. Each candidate at the forum impressed upon us that we must:

VOTE

BECOME ACTIVE

DONATE

So, we are serious when we ask you to think about the upcoming election. Educate yourself about the issues and the candidates. Do something to help every candidate that you support. Speak out. Write a letter to the editor or to a friend. Volunteer to do phone or text banking (It's so easy!), write postcards, knock doors, or drive for a candidate.

Donating to campaigns is equally important. If you are able, liberally apply your money to the candidates you deem worthy.

Exercise your precious right to vote. We can be heard. We can make a difference. We CAN flip this state!

Because, as Benjamin Franklin said, "The good that we can do together surpasses the good that we can do alone."

EDW members attended pro-choice rallies last weekend. The local news channels that covered the rallies Saturday reported that over 500 people, including EDW members and other Democratic party leaders, were at the Capitol. Former U.S. Congresswoman Kendra Horn was among the speakers who denounced the leaked Supreme Court opinion that Roe vs. Wade would be overturned.

The national organization of Pro-Choice with Heart encouraged supporters to rally at their state capitols on Sunday, May 15. Several EDW members who couldn't attend the rallies Saturday gathered with about 200 others on the south steps of the Capitol.

When it was apparent that there was no organizer to lead the group, our fearless leader, Krista Jones, took charge. Several members holding EDW and get out the vote signs went to the front, faced the crowd. Krista was handed a small plastic cone to project her voice and she rallied the group! She spoke of the importance of Roe, the need for volunteers for candidates and the most important task of all…voting. Krista invited others to share their stories and speaker after speaker came forward, stood next to Krista and told a story or shared feelings or raged that we were even having to do this. It was a small but mighty moment in the constant battle for women’s health..

Thank you to all who attended the rallies. Here is Governor Stitt’s phone number if you want to express your feelings about what is being done to reproductive rights. (405) 521-2342.  ☎️

Pro-Choice Rallies at the Capitol Pro-Choice Rallies at the Capitol EDW members attended pro-choice rallies last weekend. The local news channels that covered the rallies Saturday reported that over 500 people, including EDW members and other Democratic party leaders, were at the Capitol. Former U.S. Congresswoman Kendra Horn was among the speakers who denounced the leaked Supreme Court opinion that Roe vs. Wade would be overturned. The national organization of Pro-Choice with Heart encouraged supporters to rally at their state capitols on Sunday, May 15. Several EDW members who couldn't attend the rallies Saturday gathered with about 200 others on the south steps of the Capitol.    When it was apparent that there was no organizer to lead the group, our fearless leader, Krista Jones, took charge. Several members holding EDW and get out the vote signs went to the front, faced the crowd. Krista was handed a small plastic cone to project her voice and she rallied the group! She spoke of the importance of Roe, the need for volunteers for candidates and the most important task of all…voting. Krista invited others to share their stories and speaker after speaker came forward, stood next to Krista and told a story or shared feelings or raged that we were even having to do this. It was a small but mighty moment in the constant battle for women’s health.. Thank you to all who attended the rallies. Here is Governor Stitt’s phone number if you want to express your feelings about what is being done to reproductive rights. (405) 521-2342.  ☎️ Pro-Choice Rallies at the Capitol EDW members attended pro-choice rallies last weekend. The local news channels that covered the rallies Saturday reported that over 500 people, including EDW members and other Democratic party leaders, were at the Capitol. Former U.S. Congresswoman Kendra Horn was among the speakers who denounced the leaked Supreme Court opinion that Roe vs. Wade would be overturned.

The national organization of Pro-Choice with Heart encouraged supporters to rally at their state capitols on Sunday, May 15. Several EDW members who couldn't attend the rallies Saturday gathered with about 200 others on the south steps of the Capitol.

When it was apparent that there was no organizer to lead the group, our fearless leader, Krista Jones, took charge. Several members holding EDW and get out the vote signs went to the front, faced the crowd. Krista was handed a small plastic cone to project her voice and she rallied the group! She spoke of the importance of Roe, the need for volunteers for candidates and the most important task of all…voting. Krista invited others to share their stories and speaker after speaker came forward, stood next to Krista and told a story or shared feelings or raged that we were even having to do this. It was a small but mighty moment in the constant battle for women’s health.. Thank you to all who attended the rallies. Here is Governor Stitt’s phone number if you want to express your feelings about what is being done to reproductive rights. (405) 521-2342.  ☎️

Congrats on a successful candidate forum!

The reviews are in and our May candidate forum was an amazing success! What a wonderful evening we had seeing so many of our candidates come and be available to meet us and answer questions.

Kendra Horn spoke for a few minutes about her campaign and answered a few questions. Kendra is well-equipped, experienced, and very capable of replacing Senator Jim Inhoff in Congress.

Five candidates who are in the primary for James Lankford's seat participated in a question and answer forum. Each started with a one minute opening statement , then 4 questions were asked and they were given 2 minutes each to answer questions on the following: Voter Rights and Voter Participation, about preventing corruption in our government, Women's Rights, Common Sense Gun Reform and about their ideas about stopping Climate Change. Dennis Baker, Jo Glenn, Brandon Wade, Madison Horn, and Jason Bollinger participated in the forum, then fished with a 2 minute closing statement. It was very enlightening with comments about the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement act, Paris Climate Accord, and bringing logic back to to politics and grass roots unification.

We also had appearances by many other candidates for various offices: Vicki Behenna for Ok County DA,Greg Clyde HD83, Connie Johnson Governor, Blake Aguirre SD 22, Melinda Alizadeh- Fard Lt Governor, Jay Bridwell County Commissioner D3. Ellyn Hefner HD 87, who were at tables and passed out literature and signed up volunteers.

Mark your calendar: June 20th, 6:30

Our upcoming second forum is scheduled for June 20 at 6:30 and will feature Democratic Primary Candidates for Governor Connie Johnson and Joy Hofmeister, County Commissioner District 3 candidates- Jay Bridwell and Cathy Cummings, and Ok County District Attorney candidates Vicki Behenna and Mark Miles. Please put this on your calendar and plan to attend.