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Date: 4/1/2021
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins


No joke...it's already April.  Anyone else wondering how 2021 seems to be flying by?  Don't miss the great League events scheduled for April!
 If you missed last month's Hot Topics, you can view it and others on our YouTube Channel HERE  Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for all our updates! 
Who is interested? Join Us!
Affordable Housing Committee Interest Meeting 
April 7th 6-7pm via Zoom
The availability of affordable housing in Central Florida is an acute and growing problem, so it is not surprising that it continues to be at the top of our members’ interests. Unfortunately, we do not currently have an active Affordable Housing Committee. Since so many members share this interest, we want to re-start this committee and that's where you come in! Join us for an informal conversation to discuss opportunities to move Affordable Housing forward.
APRIL 22 - MEMBERS ONLY, Register here: 6-8:30 PM ANNUAL MEETING via Zoom - 4/22/2021
 
There's much to be done in 2021.  We'll be introducing our new Board of Directors and highlighting our upcoming Program for 2021-2022  Be sure to open the recent email sent from our Co-Presidents Gloria Pickar and Sandi Vidal that outlines the linked information that you will need for the meeting.  Members can also view the information on our website (remember to click the yellow folder icons): Annual Meeting 2021

APRIL INSPIRATION~Women's History is every month!

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee recognizes that accessibility is a component of a DEI agenda. On April 5, 1977, disability activists Judith Heumann and Kitty Cone led a "sit in" of the Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) building in San Francisco and wouldn't leave until the HEW Secretary approved guidelines for use of public space that had been approved by Congress. After 26 days, Secretary Califano approved the guidelines and the activists vacated the building. Judith Heumann is interviewed by Trevor Noah about her book "Being Heumann" and the Netflix documentary, Camp Crip: A Disability Revolution.

"We have a right to be equal members of society wherever we live." Judith Heumann

 
Were you able to virtually attend the LWVOC joint presentation with the History Center for Women's History Month?  Here's a recap from Spectrum 13:  "The history center tribute to Reese, held in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Orange County and Universal Orlando, did not represent the only time she was honored in Central Florida. A bronze statue of Reese can be found in downtown Mount Dora near Alexander Street and W. 4th Avenue." Continue reading HERE 
 And making young women history right here in Orange County.... Four Winter Park High School students have won prizes in the C-SPAN’s 17th annual StudentCam competition. Tammy Premchan, Katie Smith, Soleil Lopez and Maggie Jones are among the 299 winners of the 2021 contest, which received more than 1,200 entries from 2,300 students across 43 states and Washington, D.C., according to a press release.
 
 
 
Stacey Demetriades
 
Who's missing here?  Your friend, colleague, and family member.  Also, encourage any students you know to join as membership is FREE or them.  Members who need to renew can also click on the link below and we offer the ability to "gift a membership" to someone you know.
 
Newsletter Checklist:
  • Education in a pandemic...let's discuss at Hot Topics this month
  • Vaccine opportunities are expanding.  Schedule yours soon!
  • Mark your calendars for all our April events
  • Want to get outside in this beautiful weather?  Gopher outside on April 10....

On this day, Leagues across the nation will host events designed to educate people about the decennial redistricting process and empower them to get involved.

Fair maps are an integral facet of the League’s work; so much so that almost two years ago, we launched our People Powered Fair Maps program.  PPFM focuses on the creation of fair and transparent redistricting processes that eliminate partisan and racial gerrymandering across our communities.

The 2021 redistricting process holds a special importance in the wake of Ruchov. Common Cause, which ruled that states could make their own determinations about gerrymandering practices (rather than having to adhere to federal standards). It will also be the first redistricting cycle to occur without the protections of the Voting Rights Act.  Despite these challenges, the League is  dedicated to keeping power in the hands of the people, not politicians, and looks forward to engaging people in this crucial part of the democratic process.

 


Looking for a new spring read?  Our DEI Committee has shared this cool festival.  Remember how much fun it was to go to the Book Fair in school?  Do it online as an adult!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2nd-annual-national-antiracist-book-festival-tickets-94478727417 - April 24. The 2nd Annual National Antiracist Book Festival sponsored by the BU Center for Antiracist Research. Many best-selling authors, including Ibram X. Kendi, Brittney Cooper, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., and Heather McGhee, will be featured. This is an all-day event. Full registration is expensive, but note that tickets can be purchased for individual talks (at about $10 each)
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