 | | We EDUCATE then ADVOCATE to empower voters!
Last week, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Co-President Rev. Kathy Schmitz provided commentary in the Orlando Sentinel-It's time to uphold and update the Voting Rights Act "The very foundation of American democracy — the right to vote — is under unprecedented assault, making the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) a critical moment for reflection and action." Read full commentary HERE.
This week, national LWV CEO Celina Stewart is quoted in this latest Vogue article--“The idea that women should surrender their vote to male authority is an affront to every American who has fought, marched, and bled for the right to be heard. When men make diminishing statements about women, it harms our autonomy and our safety.” Read full Glamour story HERE Why We Shouldn't Ignore Pete Hegseth's Retweet on Women's Right to Vote
And the battle lines for voter's rights are being drawn alongside the battle over redistricting, something that the League has dealt with for decades. "The League of Women Voters, which has fought to ensure redistricting maps are not drawn to favor one party over another, points out that reapportionment must occur across the country in order for Florida to gain seats. LWVFL President Jessica Lowe-Minor told WESH 2 News, 'So, there is no reason in the League's opinion that we should be doing a mid-cycle redistricting here in Florida. It doesn't make any sense.' " Read/watch full WESH story HERE. |  | | Celebrating the VRA anniversary at the Votechella event shown above l-r: LWVOC Co-President Jane Hursh, Leaguer Saudi Ellis, Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott, LWVFL 1st VP Barbara Lanning, LWVOC Board Member Cece Gonzalez |  | CLICK below to request your
VBM ballot
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 |  | What a start to the new season of Hot Topics! Leaguers and guests filled the Winter Park Center to hear from our panel for "Diverted Dollar$ The Real Cost of School Choice". More details coming soon in our RECAP but learn about the topic by reading an Orlando Sentinel commentary by our Education Committee Co-Chairs Christine Bramuchi and Scott Hottenstein: "The true cost of Florida's school..."
Scott also hosted the HT Overtime immediately following the program with student guests from Cypress Creek HS and some panelists. (shown right below)
Shown above l-r: Jane Hursh, Dr. Dorin Dollard, Stephanie Vanos, Beth Kassab, Dr. Tashanda Brown-Cannon, Annie Martin, Kathy Schmitz; Judith Smelser, Stephanie Ecklin, Lyn Berelsman; photography by Daryl Fullerton
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CLICK below to view a short "how-to video" on our YouTube channel and start your volunteering era with the League.
AUG 18, 19th Amendment Anniversary
AUG 20, 7pm, Social Justice Book Club
The book is “Autocracy, Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World" by Anne Applebaum.
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Check Volunteering Opportunities page often and sign up. For Voter Registration, you must have taken and passed the League voter registration test HERE
OCT 29, 4:30-8PM, Keiser Univ. Scare Fair
Voter registration and info
| | | Next month, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with moderator, Nancy Alvarez. We expect this one to be highly popular and encourage you to Register early HERE | | |  | Voter Services Back to school event at Barnett Park. Shown l-r: Gina Hall, Margo Hamel, OC Dist. 6 Commissioner Mike Scott
Ready to be a volunteer with this team?
For Voter Registration, you must have taken and passed the League voter registration test HERE
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 | Gun Violence Prevention was at two Back to School events on Aug 2nd! "We gave out 75 gun locks and lots of Secure Storage information.
So total for the summer, 6 Back to School events in Orange County! We gave out about 175 gun locks, over 700 informational pamphlets on secure storage to keep children safe, lots of bee pens, wristbands, stickers and smarties!"--Linda Coffin, committee co-chair shown above |
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 | GVP--Thanks to Jill and Paul Heroux, Fiona Shannon and our community Partner YaYa’s Dream and to Michele Stone and Carol Bizub for all helping out to make these events successful! Another thanks to Saudi Ellis for keeping us up to date on these events! Its so great to work with amazing partners!!
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WE WANT TO SEE YOU! When you're volunteering or attending a League event, take some pics and share them. Email: lisa.lwvoc@gmail.com
Our goal is to highlight as many of you as possible so send those selfies and quick pics of you and your fellow Leaguers.
Also, TAG us in your social media if you're sharing event pics or updates. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads as LWVOC or simply search League of Women Voters of Orange County. | | | | A BIG shoutout of THANKS to our League Committees who stepped up on behalf of their teams to help us meet the summer's matching campaign! A little competition among friends for a worthy cause is always fun! An upcoming event is being planned to celebrate.
Raising $1000k or more:
Natural Resources, Hot Topics, Voter Services, Fund Development, Communications
Generous donation$:
DEIA, Education, Government, Gun Violence Prevention | | |  | | Jennifer Willman
Joyce Whidden
Elizabeth Tomblin
Emily Williams
Leighann Franklin
Zoey Salaj
Amanda Mendicoa
Sheryl Batchelder
|  | Stuart L. Douglas
Rev. Kathy Schmitz & Charlie Behrens, Giving Society
Kitty M. Woodley
Diana L. Smith, in thanks to the LWVOC Fund
Greg Bryla, thank you to all the women who take action for the betterment of society
Mary S. Pollock
Barbara W. Green
Karen Picciano
Amy M. Gordon
Janet L. Ziomek, Giving Society
Karen Estrin
Elizabeth Tomblin
Deborah L. Shields, in memory of Opal Langley Shields
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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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