Fall with our League means two things: elections and the resumption of our monthly programs. 

First, let’s talk about elections. Did you know EVERY year is an election year? You’ve heard of “buy local,” right? How about “vote local"? This election cycle is critically important as it’s all about local governing boards and local issues. We’re voting on local candidates who will represent us in local municipal government, local school boards, local community college trustees, and our local water resources with WaterOne. For Wyandotte County, local elections are similar. Wyandotte County residents will be voting on local unified government offices, register of deeds, BPU (board of public utilities), local school board, local community college trustee, and local municipal government in Bonner Springs and Edwardsville.            

Here are just some of the local issues:

• Maintenance on our local roads we take for work, school, doctor’s appointments, and grocery shopping – just to name a few.

• Bus services for our children 

• Bell schedules for start/stop school days

• School library books

• Local quality water resources

Voting is just one option you have for using your voice on these issues. Please exercise your right to vote during THIS local election cycle. Follow that up with encouraging your friends, family, and neighbors to vote.

Second, the League is returning to our monthly program meetings. We return to a new home - a single location to meet, share information, find ways we can engage in conversations with our elected officials, and to socialize with one another. September is also a return to our reimagined hospitality committee ready to offer a hot beverage and breakfast food to you.

We look forward to seeing you at our new location. Please take a few moments to say hello to someone you haven’t met before and introduce them to those you do know.

Finally, are you frustrated that we are in a state of limbo due to ongoing litigation efforts concerning local voter registration efforts? We could use your help with one of the following local League committees:

• Communications

• Programs

• Technology

• Membership

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 each year to celebrate the Latino community. The 2023 theme is "Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America.”

Did you know that the Smithsonian will be building a National Museum of the American Latino as well as an American Women’s History Museum in Washington DC? The sites were identified in late 2022. The Molina Family Latino Gallery currently operates within the Museum of American History. The The National Museum of the American Latino has virtual exhibits and a Young Ambassador's Program (placing interns at Smithsonian-affiliated museums in Texas, Tennessee and Massachusetts).

The observation began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and became a month-long period in 1988. Sept. 15 is celebrated as a day of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates on Sept. 16 and Chile celebrates on Sept. 18. Many Spanish-speaking communities celebrate Dia de la Raza on Oct. 12, instead of Columbus Day.  This “Day of the Race” recognizes cultures and traditions that were destroyed during European colonization. 

Action steps:   

1. Research the amazing Latino murals throughout the KC area.
2. Ask your librarian for books by Latino authors.
3. Attend our League’s Sept. 9 program on immigration.
4. Explore Hispanic and Latino communities of Kansas
5. Support organizations such as El Centro, LULAC, AIRR, Kansas Latino Community Network, KS/MO Dream Alliance, Mattie Rhodes Center and the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission.