2 Ridgefield Women Seek To Organize And Educate On Progressive Causes

RIDGEFIELD, CT — With the nation's highest court striking down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade and a subsequent case on fetal viability earlier this summer, the fight over abortion rights has shifted to more local battlefields.

Glori Norwitt and Jessica Mancini of Ridgefield were quick to enlist.

Norwitt said that "a lot of people reached out to us, who were unhappy with the U.S. Supreme Court decisions … and were trying to decide what to do in response."

The pair's answer was to organize "An Evening of Education and Education and Action," a Progressive Lollapalooza the duo hopes will fill the Ridgefield Playhouse's lobby and theater Wednesday night.

"Our goal is that everybody coming to the event and learning about the things they are the most passionate about, can be educated about the specific process of the things they are most passionate about," Mancini said.

The women hope the learning won't stop once the Playhouse curtain comes down.

"We want people to be able to walk away with an actionable toolbox that they can stay consistent throughout the election and beyond," said Mancini, who fears Connecticut's abortion ban "can easily get overturned, just like it did on the federal level."

Abortion rights aren't the only ones up for discussion Wednesday night. There will be 18 different organizations manning tables in the Playhouse lobby, taking signatures and handing out information on topics from food insecurity to bullying.

If it all comes together, the women hope their moment becomes a movement.

"We're excited to get through this one," Norwitt told Patch. "And we know that it will be successful, and we hope that it will be well received. And if it's well received, we'd love to do more in the future."

Scheduled speakers, who will cover multiple topics and answer questions from the audience, include:

• Amanda Skinner, president & CEO, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
• Katie Kraschel, executive director, Solomon Center for Health Law & Policy at Yale Law School
• Janée Woods Weber, executive director, CT Women's Education and Legal Fund
• Jeremy Stein, executive director, CT Against Gun Violence
• Peggy Reeves, former CT Election Director
• Katie Friel, Fellow at Brennan Center's Democracy Program at NYU Law, focused on voting rights and elections

Additionally, in the lobby of the Playhouse, numerous organizations will have "action tables" so that attendees can learn more, sign up to volunteer, and/or donate. Action tables will include:

• Planned Parenthood SNE (essential health care, abortion care, sex education; PPVotes to defend access, rallies)
• CT Against Gun Violence (gun violence prevention including advocating for stronger gun laws)
• CT Women's Education and Legal Fund (equal pay, discrimination issues, marriage equality, birth control access, paid leave, and more)
• The Center for Empowerment and Education (domestic violence, sexual assault, bullying, separation, divorce, self-esteem, more)
• Triangle Community Center (programming and resources for LGBTQ community)
• New Haven Pride Center (programming and resources for LGBTQ community)
• Ridgefield Democratic Town Committee
• IRIS (assistance for refugees and immigrants from around the world)
• ReSisters (grassroots activists promoting progressive causes)
• The Reach Fund of CT (provides financial assistance to abortion patients in CT)
• SAM (ranked choice voting)
• CT Foodshare (food insecurity)

Tickets are $10 and are for sale online here.
Doors open at 6:00 pm. Speakers begin at 7:00 p.m.