LWVOC first time Lobby Days' attendees arrived at the Capitol and were greeted by a student protest on the old Capitol steps...democracy in action! Their Capitol visit included appointments with Legislators in the Senate and House, attending hearings, stopping by local reps offices, and a press conference with LWVFL President Cecile Scoon and other voting rights advocates. Lobby Days 2024 ROCKED! Members included: Melva Bentley Ross, Karolyn Campbell, Barbara Lanning, Sue Gilman, and Saudi Ellis. See their Photo Album HERE | League members came together at the Annual Planning Meeting learning about the storyteller process from Rachel Allen and collaborating as a group to set program priorities for the upcoming year. Photo Album HERE by Carol Wonsavage.
From top L-R: Rachel Allen, Adrienne Katz-Katz, Susan Adams, Gina Hall, Kathy Sheerin, Charlie Behrens, Lee Rambeau-Kemp | | FEB 14 HOT TOPICS, 11PM
Black History Month
Lift Every Voice
| | FEB 27 SPEAKEASY, 6:30PM
Voter Education
Conversation & cocktails
| | |  | Register HERE Lift Every Voice: The Fight for African American History & Culture
Who will be lifting their voices at Hot Topics? Our panel is composed of inspiring local leaders including the moderator, Jasmine Burney-Clark, consulting director and founder of the Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund, a civic engagement organization that focuses on voter registration, education and turnout. Panelists include:
- Valada Flewellyn, author, poet, historian and storyteller
- Dr. LaVon W. Bracy, author and civil rights champion who was the first African American to graduate from Gainesville High School
- LeRoy Pernell, law professor and former dean of the Florida A&M University College of Law
- State Sen. Geraldine Thompson will join by video feed
- Dr. Ethel Wellington-Trawick, a retired educator, will open the program with the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Originally written as a poem by Florida native James Weldon Johnson, the song is known as the Black National Anthem.
- Click HERE to read their full bios.
| At Hot Topics, you can support the FREEDOM TO READ. Desmond Reid, owner of DARE Books will have a selection of books available to purchase and donate at Hot Topics.
Alternatively, If you have a book on a banned book list you would like to donate, please bring your book to add to the collection. (The Pen America Index of Banned Books has a list of titles.) All books will be distributed throughout the year at community events. Questions, contact Virginia Meany at vmeany1025@gmail.com. | | | | Been waiting for an evening event? JOIN US for engaging conversations, libations at your leisure, and important info from local partners about voter education.
| | The DEIA Committee encourages all League members to begin the celebration of Black History Month by attending a Gospel Spiritual Spectacular: "Through the Storm, I Need You to Survive!" The concert will take place on Feb 2 at 7p in Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center. Special guests include Naguanda Miller-Nobles, Soprano, Benjamin Polite,Bass and Shawn Welcome, City of Orlando, Poet Laureate.
Tickets are free and this is a first come, first seated event.
| | | Represent LWVOC at these volunteer opportunities:
| | Bilingual speakers needed!
In this important election year, our Voter Services team wants to effectively reach everyone in our community.
| | The League Treasurer is looking for help to develop a robust investment plan for the League. Need members with investment experience to help envision a plan to grow League assets through responsible investment. Plan is due to the Board in April 2024. The Treasurer will act as staff for the workgroup.
| | |  | | Beth Thompson
Bryan Thompson
Daryl Fullerton
Josie Mahl
Victoria Garafola
Kennedy Lynch
Share this newsletter and invite your family and social circles to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Orange County! |  | Patricia B. Bowman "In honor of her daughter and granddaughters"
Ten Thousand Villages, Winter Park
Visit our Donor page to see the many different ways you can support the League of Women Voters of Orange County. | | |
Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community.
To further explore how becoming a Hot Topics Sponsor can align with your business goals, please contact LWVOC Vice President, Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE
A range of sponsorship levels are available. | |