Celebrating Women By Claire McKenna Welcome to Issue 107! Here we are entering month 12 of our new socially-distanced lives. The good news is now you have another great issue of Toledo Streets Newspaper to read. This issue we are focusing on celebrating women both on the international and local levels. I think we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge that we just celebrated 100 years of women being able to vote. Moreover, it has only been 56 years since the 24th Amendment was ratifi ed and the barriers were reduced for women of color. We have come so far and I think it is worth celebrating! I am especially proud to be writing this introduction as one of the women who helps run Toledo Streets Newspaper. Currently at Toledo Streets the Executive Director, Vendor Manager, and Board Chair are all women. It feels exciting to be a part of an organization that believes so strongly in the power of women and to be a part of a group of women creating such meaningful change in our community. Don’t get me wrong, we have some amazing men who are critical to the success of TSN, but it is exciting to see that all of the strides we have taken in the last year that have come at the behest of women’s leadership. It is also important to me to celebrate the women who are a part of our vendor and writing teams. It is no secret that selling the newspaper is a challenging job. Our vendors have to put themselves out there and I am especially amazed by the women vendors who confi dently do this in all types of weather and after scary or diffi cult experiences. They are my heroes and their continued tenacity, dedication, and bravery are to be celebrated! Please enjoy Issue 107! The Buck Starts Here Toledo Streets and its vendors are a powerful, community driven solution to the problem of homelessness. Our vendors earn their way out of their individual situations through a collaboration of journalism, local business partners and their own hard work. Use these four steps to be a part of the solution. Meet Vendors Buy a Paper Get Informed Take Action • Vendors -- the people who sell the paper -- are at the core of Toledo Streets' mission. Each year more than 70 indiviuals work as vendors with Toledo Streets. At any given time, more than 25 vendors are at work, in the rain, snow, or heat. Vendors play an active role in the management of TS, meeting regularly to discuss issues of concern and even serving on our board. • With the money made selling the newspaper, vendors are able to secure basic needs, independence and dignity, and work toward obtaining housing. Vendors buy papers for a quarter and sell them for a $1, keeping all income and tips for each sale. Toledo Streets tries to tie its editorial to three basic principals: • Inspiring Hope, Fostering Community, and Cultivating Change. We are a member of INSP, our global organization of street papers around the world which provides us with content relevent to social justice, homelessness, and street community around the world. • Donate to the organization and give vendors experiencing homelessness and poverty a hand up. It supports not only the paper but also issues throughout NW Ohio. • Volunteer your time and expertise and help the organization grow. • Share Toledo Streets with your network, and tell people about the organization. Page 3
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