diversity equity inclusion accessibility - League of Women Voters of Orange County

HomeDiversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility

"Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King

(l-r) Co-Chairs Virginia Meany and Marilyn Baldwin

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee

Meetings are held virtually, the 4th Wed of the month at 7:00 PM

The DEIA Committee welcomes new members. If you would like to help us to build an inclusive League where all are welcome, contact our chairpersons, Marilyn Baldwin and Virginia Meany for information on how to join the group, log into the meetings and participate.

Committee members (l-r) Co-President Jane Hursh and Alicia Homrich

Leaguers at the State of Eatonville event (l-r) Barbara Lanning, Alicia Homrich, Mitch Sullen, Kathy Schmitz, and Paul Heroux with Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner (center)

LWVOC Disability Equity Inclusion and Ability Committee Charter
(revised 4/1/2025)

The DEIA Committee works to support the LWVOC’s commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and belonging for all people.

Our committee acts as a resource to committees and the Board to ensure that decisions, infrastructure, programs, and communications value the richness of different perspectives and lived experiences of all members, individuals, and communities. This includes helping to identify and remove barriers and providing opportunities to promote awareness for a diverse, inclusive, equitable and fully accessible League in which everyone feels welcomed and respected.

The LWVOC has added the ‘A’ for Accessibility to DEIA, to reflect expansion of our focus to our community deserving access to voting despite physical or mental barriers.

Advocacy Days at the Capitol 2025 withDanielle McGill, Karolyn Campbell, DEIA Co-chair Marilyn Baldwin, Marsha Bukala. Laura- Lee Minutello

2025-26 Committee Goals: The DEIA Committee is committed to creating events, coalition building, and activities that deepen our understanding of the purpose and value of DEIA initiatives within and outside our organization.
Our goals are to:

Operate as a model of DEIA intentions and behavior within the LWVOC.
Ensure LWVOC events are accessible to all by identifying inclusive accommodations.
Act as a resource to LWVOC committees to increase awareness of missing
voices/perspectives in program planning and activities.
Educate members to deepen understanding of DEIA as a lens for league work by
sponsoring opportunities for discussions about race, ethnicity, social justice, and cultural
differences, via workshops (Hot Topics), and discussion groups (“Table Talks”, PJI Race
Equity forums, social justice book club discussions, movie discussions, etc.)
Organize events that expand awareness and understanding of local cultural landmarks,
and communities, and that foster connection (such as the Wells’Built Museum,
Parramore neighborhood, Town of Eatonville, ZORA! Festival, and Paving Pathways).
Coordinate League’s participation in community events throughout Orange County
(actions representing diverse groups such as Pride, MLK, Jr, parades and having a
presence at county wide activities).
Support the creation and/or strengthening of partnerships with local community-based
organizations whose mission and objectives are similar to ours (NAACP, Sororities,
Florida Rising, Equal Ground, Alliance for Truth and Justice, Access the Vote Florida,
etc.)
Post notices and content in the LWVOC newsletter about local DEIA-related events and
heightening awareness of designated DEIA-themed months or weeks.

Join us for our monthly Book Club

3rd Weds monthly at 7PM
Visit Events Calendar for dates

Monthly book reading focused on social justice issues can encourage deeper engagement and critical thinking about

the content.

We hope to share ideas and different perspectives to broaden understanding

and challenge assumptions.

Instruction from the Orange County Election office for assisted voting with Marilyn Baldwin

DEIA member Paul and Jill Heroux advocating at the Capitol for the Harry T. and Harriet V. Moore Voting Rights Bill with community partner Equal Ground: Far left Lowman Oliver. To the right, EG members Samuel Adams, Ruby Dunson, and Robert Whittaker.

DEIA 2023 Community Table Talk

DEIA members engage in a walking tour with the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community Executive Director, N.Y. Nathiri (center). Left: Paul Heroux, Melinda Wright, Jill Heroux, coordinator Mitch Sullen, Sandy Cawthern, Virginia Meany, and Cassandra McAdams.

DEIA Committee partners with Hot Topics for diverse content

What is a DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Lens? "A DEI lens is a way of examining a program, a process, a product, etc with regards to how it is perceived by a variety of communities, voices, and perspectives, and what, if any, barriers may exist that are preventing it from being equitable or inclusive of everyone." What To Ask When Examining Your Work Through a DEI Lens? Learn more by clicking here: https://www.lwv.org/league-management/dei-resources/dei-lens