| Happy Pride Month! Things may feel bleak these days, but we hope this pride month brings you joy, community, and lots of stubborn resilience! If anything, the movement for LGBTQ+ rights is a strong case for keepin' on - no matter what the world throws at you. From Stonewall to today, every step forward happened with community, resistance, and solidarity. Here's to celebrating how far we've come, and fueling the fight for what's still ahead! |
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Other Events: - June 6, 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Wear Orange for Gun Safety rally at Historic Henderson County Courthouse
- June 14, 10am - No Kings Rally beginning at new Court House, walk to Historic Courthouse together at 11, ends at 12..
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Board of Health In April, 20 PAHC participants wrote postcards to the Henderson County Board of Health requesting that the Board consider a resolution at its May 19 meeting to express concern about the Trump administration's actions that undermine public health at the local, state, and national levels. One PAHC participant made a public comment to that effect at the Board's April 21 meeting. At the Board of Health's May 19 meeting their members issued a "Board of Health Statement" that covered several of the concerns we had expressed, using fairly diplomatic language. The Board's Statement did not require public discussion nor was a vote required. We do not have a copy of the Statement. The Board will have a pro forma vote at its June 23 meeting to accept the minutes from the May 19 meeting, at which time the Statement will be made available, and we will post it on the PAHC website. Two PAHC members made statements at the May 19 meeting, speaking forcefully and in detail about the damage the Trump administration is doing to public health at all levels. Per the Director of the Public Health Department, G. David Jenkins, MPA, we can follow up with the new Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Devdutta Sangai, about our concerns. The NC department should be actively involved in addressing loss of public health capacity. We will contact him shortly. We will also share this information with progressive activists from neighboring counties, which may include developing a hub for action about healthcare, per Padma Dyvine from the PAHC leadership group. Healthcare is on the chopping block, from Secretary Kennedy's insanity through the pro-oligarchy tax and human services cut the House of (mis)-Representatives passed. |
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JOI PACK & SPRING DUNGAN by Deb Rich |
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This month’s Spotlight has a bonus feature, so to speak. Joi Pack and Spring Dungan are a mother/daughter team, invaluable to our work here at PAHC. The duo shares a hopeful outlook from a service-based perspective for our future, and for generations to come. These two truly live up to their names. Joi moved here in 1972 from Florida. She and her husband were looking for a place to settle down. They found a 14-room house, built in 1904, off 64 West where they started their Hendersonville adventure - she is happily single now . Though Spring was born in Missouri, she grew up in Hendersonville. Joi attended Blue Ridge Community College (then Blue Ridge Tech) where she earned a degree in early childhood education. She also obtained a Massage Certification from AB Tech in the 1980s.She has also taken classes in “clowning”. She has had an interesting and varied career as a daycare operator/owner, after-school teacher through Hendersonville Parks and Rec, massage therapist, professional clown known as “Joifull” and employee at Mike’s on Main for 14 years. She is now happily retired! Spring also started her educational journey at Blue Ridge, then transferred to Appalachian State where she majored in Communications. She took a Woman’s Study class and was inspired to take part in the March for Women’s Lives in 2004. Additionally, she performed in “The Vagina Monologues” at ASU. During college, she worked at the Flat Rock Playhouse in various positions and says it was her favorite job. She is currently working at The Buzz Sober Bar & Cafe. She enjoys interacting with her co-workers and customers, lending a bit of sunshine to their days. The Buzz is where Spring met Andy Myers (part of the PAHC volunteer leadership group), who told her about PAHC. She was also invited by Hendersonville Pride to a de-escalation training hosted by PAHC. Spring says, “I'm a proud member of The Hendersonville Pride Board. As an Ally, we have to do the work; we have to be the change we want to see in the world. I know the world is a better place because of people like my mom. It’s not hard to make an effort to create a world of peace and love." My favorite thing to do is to spend time with my mom and volunteering together is a bonus! She is amazing!” Both women believe it is important to take small steps to make a big difference. As Joi says “I want to do what I can now, while I'm still here for my daughter and future generations, even if it's as simple as sharing a smile or getting more involved like volunteering at Love and Respect Community Center or with Hendersonville Pride. I want to make a difference.” Both Ladies invite everyone to join them at Hendersonville Pride Festival 2025 on June 7th from 12pm to 5 pm at Jackson Park! Happy Pride Month everyone!! As we all know, good things often come in twos. |
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OUR MISSION: The Progressive Alliance of Henderson County (PAHC) compassionately advocates for justice, dignity, inclusion and sustainable, healthy communities for all. OUR VISION: To connect residents of Henderson County and vicinity through grassroots civic engagement, education, outreach and volunteerism. Visit our website for more photos, events, and links to like-minded groups. |
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The PAHC core leadership group (currently Betsy Alger, Chris Berg, Nancy & Neil Brown, Sheila Clendenning, Padma Dyvine, Laura Miklowitz, Andy Myers, and Paul Weichselbaum) working together diligently to strengthen our impact, has created mission and vision statements for the group.
Please speak to any of us if you can offer your ideas and time about the future of Henderson County. |
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Copyright © *2019-2025* *Progressive Alliance of Henderson County* |
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