The League of Women Voters stands with the LGBTQ+ community and recognizes that our democracy functions best when all voices are heard. There is no better place to celebrate Pride Month than the Orlando area.. The DEIA Committee invites you to review the events and activities listed in the link and show your PRIDE in a vibrant community: Click HERE
Want to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and how you can show up and support LGBTQ+ rights? Follow this link to a list of 20 new books (fiction and nonfiction) about the LGBTQ+:experience. Click HERE
Also, make note of the upcoming 2025 Pulse Remembrance Ceremony
JUNE 12, 5:30 p.m. - doors open at 5 p.m.
First United Methodist Church of Orlando, 142 East Jackson Street
|  | | The LWVOC Board of Directors and all our members WELCOME Florida Leaguers arriving this week to participate in the 40th Biennial Convention of the League of Women Voters of Florida. Let us know if we can assist you in any way as you enjoy
The City Beautiful-Orlando and Orange County.
Shown above (from their recent Board retreat) L-R, back row: Lauren Zeleck, Jane Hursh, Sandy McAdams, Dan Helm; mid row: Cece Gonzalez, Gina Hall, Margo Hamel, Saudi Ellis, Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Diana Smith, Barbara Lanning, Janet Ziomek, Lee Rambeau Kemp, Jean Yglesias;
front row: Virginia Meany, Marilyn Baldwin | Check the calendar for all upcoming Committee meetings (most on Zoom) and become an active Leaguer!
JUNE 12, 7:30pm
Women's Rights Committee
"Self-care as an act of resistance
JUNE 17, 12pm
Educ Comm. Mtg.
| | JUNE 17, 7pm
Homeless Study Task Force
JUNE 17, 5pm
Communications Mtg.
JUNE 18, 7pm
DEIA Social Justice Bk Club
JUNE 28, VOLUNTEER
3rd Annual Black Business EXPO
| | |  | | Hot Topics registration here.
The League of Women Voters of Orange County hosts a June 11 Hot Topics lunch and panel discussion, “Pride Under Attack: Defending LGBTQ+ Rights,” It's a month of celebration that acknowledges both the community's achievements and the ongoing struggles for equality. Join us at next week's JUNE 11 Hot Topics; some issues to be discussed include:
-What is the current mood in the LGBTQ+ community?
-How are they fighting against these actions? What challenges remain?
-What do they fear will happen with Florida and U.S. law in the future?
-What is happening with efforts to restrict changes in gender markers on birth certificates, passports and drivers’ licenses?
MODERATOR: Gina Duncan, president and CEO of the Pride Chamber of Greater Orlando
--Dr. George Wallace, CEO of The LGBTQ+ Center Orlando
--Heather Wilkie, executive director of Zebra Youth
--Nathan Bruemmer, attorney and board member of Equality Florida
--Gabriella Rodriguez, executive director of QLatinx.
--Full bios HERE | | We are proud to recognize our action-oriented Visionary Sponsors, Jennifer and Phil Anderson. Their generous support goes beyond financial contributions—they bring invaluable expertise across a range of issues, including the power of building networks with like-minded civic partners. This involvement directly strengthens our efforts to empower voters and defend democracy in meaningful, measurable ways.
Their contributions help us grow a League that makes a real difference in Orange County—ensuring residents can access, understand, and exercise their right to vote in free and fair elections.
Thank you, Jennifer and Phil, for your commitment to our mission. | | | Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community and we have a range of sponsorship levels available. To further explore how to become a sponsor, please contact LWVOC Vice President and Fund Development Chair Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE
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Self-Care as an Act of Resistance
Thursday, June 12, 7:30pm
Join the reinvigorated LWVOC Women's Rights Committee for a program preparing us to stay in the work for the long haul while avoiding burnout and other pitfalls. Led by Committee Chair, Mary Ann Feldheim, and LWVOC Co-President, Rev. Kathy Schmitz.
Click here for info. Registration is recommended but not required. |  | |
League Homelessness Study Task Force
Tuesday, June 17, 7 pm on Zoom
Preparations are well under way for a LWVOC-wide League Homelessness Study this fall. Want a preview or to help? Join the League Homelessness Study Task Force at their next meeting to learn about the process, hear about progress so far, and discover how you might fit in. Click here for info, including Zoom link. | | |
Another way to GET INVOLVED with bringing attention to the homeless:
The Homeless Services Network has a website to engage everyone on the topic of homelessness. From support for affordable housing in neighborhoods to welcoming people to share their concerns, the registry invites all viewpoints to be recorded
Martha Are, HSN Executive Director and a participant in our Hot Topics on "Unsheltered" RECAP here is asking LWVOC members specifically, to register where they find themselves on the continuum. Follow the link is below:
www.yes2shelterandhousing.com |  | | Orange County Leaguers contributed to Earth Day efforts at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy at:
|  | | Shown above, the LWVOC Gun Violence Prevention Committee joined BE SMART, the Veterans' and Tax Collector's offices to pack "appreciation" bags for veterans that go to the various tax collector offices. The bags held gun locks, a drink cozy and important information for veterans should they need services. The Secure Storage video that Sheriff Mina and Tax Collector Scott Randolph made is also shown in these offices. | | |
 | | Aaron Lewis
Leslie Lynch
Visit JOIN HERE and learn about becoming a Leaguer!
SHARE this newsletter with your social and family circle so they can see the great benefits of becoming a Leaguer! |  |
Susan Landis, generous gift to the LWVOC Fund
Ann R. Zito, "In appreciation to all those who help people register to vote"
Elizabeth K. Bosserman, "Giving Society"
Melinda Rigney, generous gift to the LWVOC Fund
Carolyn Lawrence, generous gift to the LWVOC Fund
REMEMBER, if you're joining or renewing on the national site, COME BACK and
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| League of Women Voter members are participating in the following events, helping to bring about awareness of candidates and the importance of educating citizens about elections and their right to vote. #Votes4All | SPECIAL "Take Action" Alerts Now Available from Pres. Kathy Schmitz
“Alert lists” are open to both LWVOC members and non-members. They are a way to share timely opportunities, for example, upcoming rallies, volunteer needs, or urgent legislative actions. To keep email volume down, only I, or someone I specify, will be posting to this list.
“Sharing lists” are an additional option for LWVOC members. Within guidelines that will be posted, anyone who joins one of these lists will be able to post. Guidelines will focus on posting actionable information, avoiding debate, and maintaining a respectful tone.
Current topics are Immigration, Housing & Poverty, Women’s Issues & Health Care, and Defending Democracy
To sign up for any of the lists, fill out this simple form HERE.
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