July 2025

Missed a Hot Topics program or want to revisit a powerful discussion? Visit our YouTube channel to watch past programs on issues that matter—from voting rights and public health to education and environmental justice. It’s a great way to stay informed and engaged on your own schedule!

Harambee Auditorium | Scarritt Bennett Center 
Time: Wednesday | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT

Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with the League of Women Voters of Nashville and YWCA of Middle TN on Wednesday, August 6.

This event is free and open to the public. Dr. Sekou Franklin will be the keynote speaker.

   Z. Alexander Looby Theatre | 2301 Rosa L Parks Blvd       Time: Wednesday | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT

   A Vote of Her Own is a new musical celebrating Nashville’s pivotal role in the fight for women’s suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The story features a powerful reenactment of the Tennessee League of Women Voters’ first official convention, brought to life with historic photographs in Act I, Scene II.

Click the Registration Link and use the use the promo code FRIENDS at checkout to receive a discount specifically for League Members!

The Nashville League of Women Voters of Nashville has lost a friend. Annette Schaffer Eskind, a lifetime League member and supporter, passed away on July 13, 2025.

An energetic civic leader, the Boston native left her mark on Nashville in many ways. Annette advocated for children and families both through her career as a social worker and by lending her leadership and initiative to several organizations including the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Council of Jewish Women and the W.O. Smith Music School. Annette was an avid advocate for public education. She served on the first Metropolitan Nashville Board of Public Education and later founded and endowed the Nashville Public Education Foundation. She served on the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Leadership Council for several years. She was known for her generosity and ability to get new initiatives started.

The LWVN extends condolences to the Eskind Family.

As we begin a new League year, we’re grateful for the strong foundation laid by past leaders and excited to build on that legacy. Our current board is passionate and committed to raising the League’s visibility and deepening our impact across Nashville.

There’s so much happening this month—from A Vote of Her Own, a new musical celebrating women’s suffrage, to our August 6th event marking the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. We hope you’ll take a moment to read through the newsletter and find ways to get involved.

With Congressman Mark Green’s upcoming retirement, a special election is on the horizon. We’ll be using this time to expand our voter initiatives—registration drives, information forums, and community outreach.

We also pause to remember Annette Schaffer Eskind, a lifelong League member whose legacy of advocacy and generosity continues to inspire.

It’s going to be a meaningful year, and we’d love for you to be part of it. I hope to see you at our events!

Join LWVN on Friday, August 1st from 3:00PM - 5:00PM for Family Resource Center at Abbington Heights Back-to-School Bash!

This event will bring together families, students, and community partners to celebrate the upcoming school year. LWVN will host a table and help interested attendees register to vote.

If you are able to volunteer for this event, contact Volunteer Services Chair, Sue Johnson, sadiejo@bellsouth.net, 615-337-6374.

Volunteer with LWVN at the annual National Night Out Against Crime event sponsored by the MNPD East Precinct on Tuesday, August 5, from 5-7PM at East Park, 600 Woodland St, Nashville, TN.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. This event enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

If you are able to volunteer for this event, contact Sue Johnson, sadiejo@bellsouth.net, 615-337-6374.

The passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has Tennessee’s healthcare sector bracing for profound impacts. Many Tennesseans could lose vital health coverage or face steeper medical costs.

Major Changes to Medicaid and TennCare
TennCare relies heavily on federal dollars to serve low-income families, older adults needing long-term care, and people with disabilities. Funding reductions could result in fewer covered services, reduced payments to providers, and cuts to community health programs.

Loss of ACA Marketplace Subsidies
Many individuals will become uninsured or face increased premiums and out-of-pocket costs as an estimated 68,000 –170,000 Tennesseans lose access to affordable marketplace insurance plans. Hospitals and clinics will also see an increase in uncompensated care.

Impact on Tennessee Health Institutions
Institutions like Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Meharry Medical College have expressed concerns about losing federal research and community health grants, serving uninsured and underinsured populations, and facing greater operational strain.

Broader Public Health Concerns
With both Medicaid and marketplace support reduced, Tennessee public health leaders warn of higher rates of untreated chronic conditions, increased emergency room visits for preventable illnesses, and worsening health disparities.

We will continue to track how this legislation affects hospitals, providers, patients, and public health initiatives across Tennessee. 

References: 
The Tennessean
News from the States
Nashville Scene

Reporting dates: 5/20/25, 6/3/25, 6/17/25, 7/1/25

VOTING/ ELECTIONS
U.S. Rep Mark Green, a Clarksville Republican, has announced his resignation from his 7th Congressional District seat effective July 20, triggering a special election. The 7th district encompasses parts of northern Nashville, the western half of Williamson County, and part of Benton County, as well as 11 other Middle Tennessee counties. A possible date for the primary Election is October 7, 2025. The General Election will be on December 2, 2025.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING/ UNHOUSED
On July 1, a person from Open Table shared during the Public Comment Period that the closure of the Downtown Public Library, due to the June 10 fire, has affected the homeless. The library provided one of the few places with public restrooms and water fountains.

GENERAL
The budget was passed. The $3.8 billion budget includes a fully funded school budget that will continue tutoring and counseling programs formerly funded with federal COVID dollars, and it provides $30 million for affordable housing programs. The budget also includes a 2% across-the-board adjustment for all Metro employees, as well as step and merit increases for almost all employees. The property tax rate decreased from $3.254 per $100 of assessed value to $2.814, but with the large increase in property assessments, many property owners will see an increase. 

The Downtown Public Library is scheduled to reopen on July 29. The Auditorium and the conference center, which were most impacted by the fire, will remain. The Downtown Library Garage will also remain closed. On June 10, a fire began in a tool room within a secured storage area on the 4th floor beneath the ramp to the 5th floor of the library’s parking garage. The ramp collapsed onto the storage area, which made it unsafe to enter and determine the cause of the fire.

Councilmember David Benton, from District 28, Nashville’s second-largest Latino district, has been having a rough time during public comment periods at Metro Council meetings recently. During the June 3 metro council meeting, the public hearing had 5 people calling for his

resignation. He had appeared at a press conference alongside Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles and had stated that taxpayers needed to decide if they side with “criminals or innocent people” and called for an audit of the “Belonging Fund,” which is established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, in conjunction with Metro Nashville, to assist immigrants impacted by ICE operations. The Belonging Fund is funded by private donations. Speakers felt Benton was not representing his constituents. At the July 1 council meeting, quite a few people spoke against a zoning change he sponsored to build a warehouse on Franklin Limestone Road. Persons spoke of health concerns and a lack of trust. Council, after much debate, approved the bill on second reading.

The Education Committee has planned a meeting to discuss issues that impact education on Friday, August 8, at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom.  If you are interested in joining the discussion, please email us at LWVNash@gmail.com.

Some issues of concern are: immigration, third-grade testing, vouchers, the distribution of grant money, ongoing tensions between MNPS/charter schools/TN Education Dept., among others.

References:

Chalkbeat Tennessee

Early July 2025 was marked by deadly and devastating flooding in Hill Country in Texas. In the aftermath of the flooding, many started to point out the connection between the devastating flooding and climate change. Others examined how the flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency overlapped with the hardest hit areas at Camp Mystic. Flood maps are intended to show areas of highest flood risk. 

Closer to home, if you are curious about your flood risk, you can find Nashville flood maps online. Metro Water Services in Nashville also operates a flood buyout program, which uses federal and local funds to purchase properties that are considered to be at risk of repeated losses from flooding. All participation in the program is voluntary. This program is just one of many that Nashville manages to mitigate flood risk. 

Steps to reduce flood risk can start small! Right now you can order up to 3 trees for your home with Root Nashville. Your tree can help slow down and clean rainwater. Order by August 31st. 

Co-Presidents: Ophelia Doe and Kathryn Anderson

1st Vice Presidents: Karen Hernan and Ethel Detch

Secretary: Ethel Detch

Treasurer: Susan Mattson

Nominating Committee Members:

Betsy Walkup

Constance Caldwell

Hasina Mohyuddin

June Bond

Brenda Wynn

Portfolio Chairs

Communications: Yolonda Beech

Community Connections: Sabina Mohyuddin & Leona Edwards

Education: Dr. Patricia H. Brock, Dr. Leslie Cowell, and MaKenzie Mosby

Environment: Kelley Knott-Sandifer, Simone Chhut, Carynton Howard, and Catherine Price

Health Care/Public Health:  Harper-Grace Niedermeyer, Erika Thomas, and Ashudee Kirk 

Membership: Reba Holmes and Dani Sheree Ross

Metro Government:  Pat McCauley, Kathleen Murphy, and Brenda Haywood

Voter Services: Sue Johnson and Anne Smith

Williamson County Representative:  June Bond

Nominating Committee Chair: Senator Brenda Gilmore 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS NASHVILLE
Box 158369, Nashville, Tennessee 37215

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CONTACT US

contact@lwvnashville.org

NON-PARTISANSHIP STATEMENT
The League is proud to be non-partisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to their members and the public. The League works to encourage informed and active participation in government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy.

DISCLAIMER
Views expressed by non-League links are not necessarily those of the League. The links are provided as a service to visitors.