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Date: 3/16/2023
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins



It's Women's History Month 2023 and we're still facing decades-old challenges?!  Join us at the Equal Pay Day Rally at Orlando City Hall/SAT-Mar 18/11AM. Leaguer Deb Coffy will be speaking on our behalf; also hear from community activists as well as government office holders.  "It shocks me to say that after a long career women still labor for less pay than their male counterparts. Despite many breakthroughs, the progress has been glacial and the situation is not much improved." Barbara Lanning, Co-President
 
Not letting these slights stop us, we've been celebrating all month with two recent events in downtown Orlando.  The LWVOC joined Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer and other dignitaries at the unveiling of Women's Suffrage Historic Trail Marker on MAR 7.  Leaguer Joy Wallace Dickinson was also recognized for her 23 years of reporting on the history of Orlando, Orange County, and Central Florida.  Read full article HERE.  Photo Album HERE by Carol Wonsavage. (shown below left: Commissioner Regina Hill, Joy Dickinson, Linda Chapin, Mayor Dyer)
 
We also partnered with the Orange County Regional History Center for our 4th Annual Women's History Breakfast.  This year, special recognition was given to local pioneering female architects Ida Annah Ryan & Isabel Roberts with a special film presentation that included contributors Tana Porter and Joy Wallace Dickinson, Leaguers who also serve on the LWVOC History Committee and Co-President Barbara Lanning  providing opening remarks. (shown below right)
REMEMBERING PAT SCHROEDER, "Warrior for Democracy"
Truly, in a League of her own and proudly, we salute her as a longtime member of the LWVOC.  She's shown above speaking at a 2016 Hot Topics on Women Veterans and although in the last few years, we felt her absence, her steadfast dedication to improving citizens' lives nationally and locally will be felt for generations to come. (Shown above, panelist Antonette Reeves and Pat Schroeder)
 
The League of Women Voters of Florida mourns our former state board member and trailblazing feminist legislator Pat Schroeder.  Schroeder helped redefine the role of women in American politics and used her wit to combat egregious sexism in Congress.  Schroeder was the first female U.S. Representative elected from Colorado. Her unorthodox methods cost her important committee posts, but Schroeder said she wasn't willing to join what she called "the good old boys' club" just to score political points. Unafraid of embarrassing her congressional colleagues in public, she became an icon for the feminist movement. Click to read Orlando Sentinel article.
Upcoming Events
MAR 29, Harvard Case Study
MLK-Voting Rights
Open to all, educators-students-community
Deadline is MAR 26
 
MAR 30, Grassroots University
Brand Like a Boss
FREE Virtual Event
Presented by Emmy Award winning journalist, Stephanie Coueignoux

 
APR 4, Spring League Showcase
New Member Orientation
Special guest: Former LWVFL President Patti Brigham
 
APR 20, Annual Meeting
Presentation of new program and Board of Directors
NEW location: Azalea Room, Mead Botanical Garden
Caterer: Dubsdread CC

LWVOC Volunteer Icon LWVOC Donate Icon LWVOC Vote Icon 

What's Happening?
Orange County
Equal Pay Rally this Sat., Orlando City Hall, 11AM with special guests
 
LWV of Florida
House Bill 7, a near total abortion ban, will be heard in the Florida House of Representatives Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee TODAY Thursday (March 16) at 8:00 a.m. (ET). Look for LWVFL emails with "Take Action Now" resources.
VOLUNTEERS in action.  The Voter Services team worked with the Adopt-A-Precinct program for the recent Ocoee Municipality election.  If you're interested in hands-on democracy, contact Voter Services and learn how to become a certified poll worker.
 The team shown includes Leaguers:  Jill Bello, Sue Gilman, Melinda Wright, Victor Collazo, Gina Hall, Barbara Lanning, & a gov. appointed poll watcher.
As Floridians deal with voting changes, watch Leaguer Deb Coffy discuss the new "Vote-by-Mail" restrictions in this Spectrum News13 video.
LWVFL has endorsed the Right to Clean Water! Calling All Do Bees! Worker Bees! and Activist Wanna Bees!
In support of establishing our basic right to clean and healthy water, our League has committed to helping get this citizen initiative on the 2024 ballot. The goal is to collect 90,000 signed petitions in Orange County. (Why does it have to be such a mountain to climb?) Will you help?
 
Please visit our Volunteer Page and make a plan to spend some time outside this weekend or later this month collecting signatures. Petitions, clipboards & literature will be provided for this popular cause at event sites. 
SHOW UP
Make sure to visit our Events calendar to see what's happening with the League.  There are always committee meetings as well as community and League events listed along with registrations and/or Zoom details.
 
STEP UP & ACT
As the state legislature is showing us, their votes can be contrary to the League mission.  When LWV issues a "Take Action" to contact legislators, make the call...send the email...or show up in support to rallies.
 
VISIT our VOLUNTEER page
Click for current Volunteering Opportunities
 
HOT TOPICS Volunteers Needed
If you regularly attend Hot Topics, please volunteer to help.
Contact Pat Grierson:
Event Recaps
NEW FEATURE  The Hot Topics team has put together a complete "RECAP" of last week's event.  It was so compelling that attendees and viewers alike are reaching out to see HOW they can make a difference.  From Judi Hayes' review:
"The panelists discussed a variety of topics ranging from the erasure of black history in schools and the banning of books deemed controversial by the fragile governor (who insists that the book bans we can see with our own eyes are a “media hoax”) to the long range effects of attacking intellectual freedom at our state universities. In K-12, Florida now has more than 9,000 teacher vacancies. In the current climate, how can any school system successfully recruit teachers and retain them?  Dr. Armbruster advised that of a 9-item legislative priority list, the top priorities are supporting teachers, teacher salaries and school personnel."  Click to continue reading with its list of action steps, resource links, and links to photos and video of event.
Shown above from top L-R: Barbara Lanning with panel Tammie Fields, Sadaf Knight, Dr. Michael Armbruster, Clinton McCracken, Jenny Sandovol, Susan Windmiller (HT Chair,) Stephanie Vanos (Educ. Comm,) Leaguer Anne Geisler & guest Rebecca Sickles *photography-Carol Wonsavage

Following up this important Hot Topics, our Fund Development team reached out to you via email.  Click to read it HERE.  As you can see below, many readers responded with a donation in support of LWVOC's effort to fight the attacks against public education.  We graciously thank them and as we're almost to our MAR goal, encourage you to consider a contribution.  Donation Info HERE
Caitlin Charles

Jennifer Alcorn – Carrie Chapman Catt Member

Katherine Hendrickson

Carly Cardenas

Aja Lake

Beth Christner
 
Kristi Keoughan Bonnier
Maureen F. Witwer  "In Recognition to Opposition to Ron D's Dictatorship"
Daniel King
Alice Hadley
Patricia Burke
H. Eugene & Sandra Pettis  "We support the LWV and its support of public education."
Randall M. Sumner "recurring donation"
Martha Haynie "In gratitude to Joan Erwin"
Jody Lazar
Carol Lawrence  "A Volusia LWV member in support of LWVOC Hot Topics"
Judy N. Levin  "In honor of Mason, Nathan, Miles, and Madelyn Levin"
Susan B. Crean
Anne Bowen   "As a retired public school teacher I am dismayed by governor DeSantis plans for public school, the bedrock of educating an informed and united citizenry."
Mary L. Basham  "In recognition of the work of women in LWVOC"
Marilyn Frazer

DO NOT DELAY!  Next month's HOT TOPICS will be another very full house and we suggest you register ASAP!  Our own Linda Chapin, former Orange County Mayor and LWVOC President will be moderating the program which asks the simple but complex question of our attending Mayors..."What keeps you awake at night?"
Introducing our first Platinum Level Sponsor: Climate First Bank The bank will be supporting LWVOC Hot Topics events for the next year. Climate First Bank is World’s first FDIC-insured community bank founded to combat the climate crisis. Climate First Bank offers a complete, full-service portfolio of simple and easy-to-use traditional banking products designed to do good for people and the planet. Please follow this link to learn more: climatefirstbank.com