The Third Thursday Lunch

Going Beyond the Statistics Who Are the Women and Men Behind Bars in Kentucky?
Drawing on her twenty-seven years of experience as counselor, supervisor and administrator in Kentucky correctional facilities as well as at a Dismas halfway house Gail Chandler introduce us to the life stories of some of the imprisoned individuals she worked with during her career in corrections.

In recognition of Black History Month, writer, historian and Louisvillian Hannah Drake, known for her penetrating social analyses and commanding presence at the microphone will talk about her (Un)Known Project, a multimedia installation, "On the Banks of Freedom", (located on the Ohio Riverwalk between 9th and 10th Sts.), a memorial to enslaved people whose stories may never be uncovered and a challenge to us to unearth narratives hidden in attics and archives.

With Cathy Mekus and Kemal Wells
Cathy Mekus is the Standard Kentucky Lead for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a national organization founded after the Sandy Hook, Conn., school massacre on December 14, 2012. She is a retired engineer, married with two children and in recent years has spent much of her time advocating for sensible gun policies.

Bob Kee and Dora Rodriquez come to us from Tucson with their life sustaining work for the migrants on both sides of the Arizona/Mexico border,
Bob Kee volunteers with the Tucson Samaritans, a group dedicated to the survival of people who make the perilous trek from Mexico to the southern Arizona desert (tucsonsamaritans.org)
Dora Rodriquez is the director of the Casa de la Esperanza, a hostel in Sasabe, northern Mexico. The Casa is staffed by neighborhood volunteers (all Spanish speakers) who offer hot food, hot showers, fresh clothing, maps and information about where to go for further assistance. (dorarodriquez.org)

Dee Pregliasco, First Vice-President of the Kentucky League of Women Voters
Voting rights under attack: The current situation, locally and nationally
According to the League’s website (lwvky.org) “Many changes have been made in Kentucky’s voting and election process, leaving voters confused and potentially prevented from voting”.
Well known as a student of the tangled web of voting history in the
United States, Dee Pregliasco’s presentation ia e a timely reminder
that the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 8th, is a very
important date to observe ---for voters in Jefferson County will be casting
their ballots to determine their next mayor, 3rd district congressman,
U.S. senator, state legislators, two possible amendments to the Kentucky
Constitution and local school board races

The Good Trouble Proposal — a program to “engage communities and individuals more proactively in getting involved in environmental decision making at a local and state level.”
Tom FitzGerald, better known as “Fitz,” was Director of the Kentucky Resources Council for 37 years. Since 1984, KRC has worked to protect those who live downhill, downwind, and downstream, and who have suffered the burdens of environmental pollution and injustice. With the support of friends and members, KRC achieved numerous successes in protecting Kentucky’s built and natural environment.
FitzGerald, who says he’s never charged a client for legal services in his career, also has one final project — a program to “engage communities and individuals more proactively in getting involved in environmental decision making at a local and state level.”
He tentatively named the “good trouble” proposal — an homage to the late congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis — FitzGerald added: “I'm always looking for good trouble to get into.”