This week we've had a change in weather, celebrated International Women's Day, and seen the State of Tennessee pass a law undermining Nashville's 2015 countywide vote to preserve our 40-member Council.
I have heard from many folks about the forced reduction in the size Council, and I know there is a range of thoughts and feelings on the matter. I have also had many questions about how the reduction affects my race. I am continuing to monitor all matters related to the reduction and will provide updates as we learn more.
As always, please reach out to me should you need anything, want to see anything in the newsletter, or otherwise have any comments or questions!
International Women's Day
As a woman and a mom of young kids, including two daughters, I have had a few things on my mind this week: International Women's Day this past Wednesday and this weekend's third anniversary of Covid-related school shutdowns.
We know that women bear an unequal burden of childcare, and the excessive cost and lack of access to childcare exacerbates inequality for women. That's why I chose this week to release a childcare plan for Nashville. I hope you'll check it out.
Pollinator Patch
It isn't every rainy, cold Saturday that almost 50 people show up to volunteer time gardening!
Thanks to almost 50 volunteers, the Tennessee Environmental Council, Metro Beatification, Metro Parks, Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, and Second Sunday Gardeners, we were able to get a large native pollinator garden approved and planted at the corner of 21st Avenue and Portland Avenue.
As a gardener, neighbor and chair of the BHN Beautification Committee, I am so excited about this project! It will not only bring added beauty to the 21st Avenue corridor but will help our local pollinator population.
Tree Pruning
Over a dozen neighbors gathered this past weekend to prune the public fruit trees at the corner of 21st Avenue and Portland Avenue. These trees have provided fruit to many of us over the years, and pruning them will make sure they continue to do so.
I want to say a special thanks to Chaz Griffith, arborist with Metro Water, for volunteering his Sunday to teach us how to prune fruit trees. Also, we all owe a huge thanks go to Miriam Mimms for organizing the pruning event, as well as for her tireless efforts to get the Pollinator Garden approved and funded. If you see Chaz or Miriam, please thank them for their time and efforts.
