Open Works
The League of Women Voters of Baltimore City at Open Works
A Second Home for League of Women of Baltimore City
What do a one hundred and two year old voter advocacy organization and a makerspace have in common? Well, our mission at Open Works is to make tools, technology, and the knowledge to use them accessible to all, and that’s the same approach the League of Women Voters takes to voter advocacy, only with a little less sawdust.
In the months leading up to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, women’s suffrage advocates knew the work of enfranchising women voters extended well past gaining the right to vote. To take on the work of empowering new voters, the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association merged to form the League of Women Voters. One hundred and two years later, the League of Women Voters is still doing the hard work of maintaining our democracy through voter engagement and education.
When it came time for the Baltimore City chapter to find a second office, more centrally located in the City, Open Works turned out to be the perfect fit! Our flexible space is perfect for meetings and events, and our values around community are very well aligned. Whether it’s the tools of the trade or the tools of democracy, we both believe that the more people who have access the better!
With the Maryland primary coming up on July 19th, you can expect to see the League doing what they do best, which is making sure as many eligible voters as possible are registered and well informed. In addition to providing voter registration resources, the league also puts out voter guides, holds candidate forums, and even has League members at the public library ready to help get voting resources to anyone who comes asking.
This year they’ve taken on the work of engaging with high school students, helping foster youth lead efforts to increase voter registration for eligible students, and worked with them to plan a voter registration fair through the schools later this month (4/29).
We’re honored this distinguished organization has chosen Open Works as a second home and we’re really looking forward to seeing how they use this space to engage with Baltimore City voters.
If you need voter registration information, election resources, or want to get involved with the League of Women Voters visit: www.lwv-baltimorecity.org.
Open Works Weekly 4/7/23
Increasing Digital Equity Beginning this Spring! A number of different neighborhoods throughout central Baltimore will be able to charge their devices and access WiFi thanks to our partnership with the Central Baltimore Partnership (CBP). The 29th Street Community...
Open Works Weekly 3/31/23
Do you want to bring your young person into the Textiles shop to sew with you? It's time to get them youth certified! Combined with our new youth membership option, we now offer a portable sewing machine class that prepares you and your young person for working...
Open Works Weekly 3/24/23
We've got just TWO of our 105 micro-studios left! Small but mighty, each comes with fast wi-fi, an optional workbench, and conference room privileges. But the best part is joining up with the fascinating and wide-ranging creative community! And have we mentioned the...
Open Works Weekly 3/17/23
TODAY! Join us at 10:30 with your little one for story time with Mrs. Abigail! Grab a coffee from our friends at Black Acres and enjoy songs, stories, and activities. While you're in, it would also be a perfect time to register any older siblings for Maker Camp 2023....
Open Works Weekly 3/10/23
One of our FAVORITE things to do is connect makers with opportunities! There are a lot coming up in the next few weeks -- check out the links below for accelerators, competitions, and vending opportunites.+ The inaugural Make/Space Accelerator is now accepting...
Open Works Weekly 3/3/23
Enrollment is OPEN for Maker Camp 2023! We are offering 5 weeks of half-day summer camp exploring drones, digital design, and fabrication skills for ages 8-15. All 5 weeks sold out last year, so don't wait! Scholarships are always available here. Not sure about...
Open Works Weekly 2/24/23
Today is the 3rd day of our EPIC wood shop reorganization! We are busy cleaning, labeling, engraving, inventorying, pegboarding, and moving machines to improve member experience. It will take another week or so to wrap up final touches. Going forward, each tool will...
Open Works Weekly 1/12/23
There are still a few open spot for official premiere of the Black Butterfly Dream Lab with Dr. Lawrence Brown. Participants will play the board game Urban Cipher, view a history exhibit, examine Baltimore City's budget, and literally build a more equitable...
Open Works Weekly 1/6/23
It's been quite some time in the planning process, but the cafe take-away window is finally up and running! Currently open from 8–9am, you can now grab take out from Black Acres Roastery just a few short steps away from the ample parking along Greenmount Ave. As part...
Open Works Weekly 12/23/22
Just a few quick things before we close up for the break. We're closing early today, at 3:00pm due to staff being out sick, and will be closed, as planned through 1/2/23. We want to encourage everyone to stay safe and healthy out there. We also wanted...
Station North Arts Walk
TONIGHT!!! 5–8PM Tonight is Station North Arts Walk’s Spotlight on Greenmount West and Open Works will serve as a hub with a maker’s mart, food vendors, and music from DJ Trillnatured. Registration is not required, but appreciated. Maker Vendors...
Open Works Weekly 6/24/22
Today, we’re graduating the first cohort of the Baltimore Sewn Trades Training Program!!! Congrats to Kay, Ellie, Jody, Will, T., D., and Devan! It’s hard to sum up all the hard work and detailed learning that went into completing this program, but the slim binder...
The Boutique Life at Open Works
Number one perk of writing the Open Works newsletter is the opportunity to go around asking our talented members a bunch of questions about their work. Last week I had a chance to sit down and chat with Samantha Montgomery from The Boutique Life, one of our resident...
Open Works Weekly 5/13/22
Are you interested in computer-aided design, CNC routers, 3D printing, laser cutting, or making furniture? The Makers Unite CAD Training program teaches AutoDesk Fusion 360, use and operation of our CNC (computer numerical control) wood routers, and basic woodworking...
