Women’s History Month
"It's 2023, and while many strides have been made for women in the past few decades, there's still a long way to go. Inequality and sexism still exist in the United States (as well as the rest of the world). In a 2017 Pew Research Center survey, four-in-ten women (42%) said they experienced gender discrimination at work."
"These prevailing inequities (in addition to the strides made by our heroes) are why it’s so important to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. It's a great time to read up on Women’s History Month facts and historic women, as well as sharing inspiring quotes by and for women. Cheering on those still fighting for and representing women today is equally important, because there’s still plenty of work to be done."
More information can be found here: 25 Best Women's History Month Facts — Facts About Women's History (womansday.com) | Taking Pride in Women’s History
Learn how far we've come--and how far we have to go! Take a moment to read the article by League member, Adrienne E. Katz Katz. She shares the accomplishments of many women that have remained unrecognized. Below is the link to her full article from our webpage.
Read Article
| | Dear League Members,
The 2023 theme for Women’s History Month is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Story.” The first Women’s History Month celebration traces its roots to March 1857.
In reflecting on the theme, we must not only celebrate the rich contributions of women of years gone by, it’s imperative that we continue to tell our story as we defend democracy. Our focus remains the same, registering voters, providing voter information to citizens and advocating for voter rights.
As members of the Seminole League of Women Voters, what role will you play in the coming year? I urge you to get involved, join a committee, find an interest that will support this organization. “What will you do as a member to empower voters and defend democracy?”
Geri Wright, EdD
President, LWV Seminole
| | |  | | In honor of Women's History Month, we are addressing one of the most pressing issues that women face world-wide. Domestic violence has a long history of being ignored and not talked about. Safehouse of Seminole provides services to victims of domestic violence and is a vital part of the network of organizations addressing the problem.
Please join us to learn more about what you can do to address this issue that impacts women predominantly. Here is the link for more information and registration for the March Hot Topic featuring Jessica Telchi, Case Manager and Prevention Coordinator at Safehouse of Seminole.
| | | | According to WUSF, Florida ranked first in a recent report as having the highest number of acres of lakes too polluted to swim in or for healthy aquatic life. Manatees are dying as polluted waters have killed seagrass, a vital part of their survival.
These, among other reasons, are why the League of Women Voters supports the petition drive for an amendment to the Florida Constitution. “The Right to Clean Water” is aimed at agencies in the state who have approved permits that harm or threaten to harm waters.
What does the amendment do? From the website, Floridarighttocleanwater.org:
“It creates a fundamental right to clean and healthy waters, clarifies prohibited actions and inactions that harm (or threaten to harm) waters, and defines important terms. It also allows Floridians to enforce this right through the ability to sue state executive agencies that violate this right, empowering courts to look at the science and truth (and not politics) of what’s going on before awarding equitable relief to the situation.”
If you have not already done so, please consider signing a petition to allow Floridians to make a choice about our imperiled waters. The petition can be downloaded at the website, floridarighttocleanwater.org. Learn more on their website. |  | | | Education issues are high priority for the League of Women Voters Florida and for our local Education Committee. The issues include vouchers, book bans, the anti-WOKE legislation from last session, LGBTQ+ issues and now the move to make school board elections partisan (currently non-partisan). There are several ways to educate yourself on these topics .
Attend a forum such as the one on March 9th in Orange County entitled A Thousand Disrespectful Cuts: The State of Public Ed in Florida. If you register as an affiliate of LWVOC, and there is no charge for that, you then receive the member rate for lunch. Register using the link below.
Get involved in our LWVSC Education Committee. Contact Taru Joshi (tarujoshi@gmail.com) or Peggy Higgins (peghiggins@gmail.com) for more information. The next committee meeting is March 13th at 11:30 am via Zoom
Read the article from our website on School Choice and/or read the Quick Facts Sheet...know the facts!
| LWVSC CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY | | Justice James E. C. Perry and his wife, Dr. Adrienne Perry | | Pastor Meghan Killingsworth
First United Methodist Church | | | A Celebration of Black History was held at the First United Methodist Church of Sanford, on February 16th. Former Florida Supreme Court Justice James E.C. Perry was our featured speaker. In attendance were several elected officials including Seminole County Commissioner Jay Zembower, Mayor Art Woodruff of Sanford, and Seminole County School Board Member Autumn Garick. A video of the event can be found at the end of the newsletter.
We were delighted that the Seminole High School Gospel Choir, under the direction of Choir Director Jamie Poss, came to open our program with Lift Every Voice and Sing and end our program with two beautiful gospel numbers.
Justice Perry was appointed as a Civil Judge by Governor Bush in 2000. He was then appointed as the 85th Justice on the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Crist, where he served from 2009-2016. Justice Perry said, "back then, we didn’t declare our party because we were to serve the people of Florida.” After sharing a bit of his story and history, he opened the floor for questions from our audience.
Justice Perry remarked that he always knew what he should do as a Supreme Court Justice. “I was to do what is right and serve the people of Florida." For the over 100 people at the event, from young to older, we heard a desire to learn more from this “hero” who spoke with such candor. He is an inspiration to all of us to work to make a difference in our community.
Greg Fox from WESH (NBC affiliate channel 2) interviewed Justice Perry prior to the event. Here is the link to the interview that was part of a story on the removal of diversity training for Supreme Court Justices. https://www.wesh.com/amp/article/florida-supreme-court-diversity-training/42962288 | | Seminole High School Gospel Choir | | Members of Seminole High School's
Young Men of Excellence | | | | Florence French Fagan shaking hands with Dr. Adrienne Perry, LaVonne Grayson looking on. | | Rosemary Closson and Pat Southward | | | MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Tamika Knight Williams
|  | | One of Seminole League’s newest members probably has the deepest roots in the county of any of us. Tamika Knight Williams is a fifth generation Seminole Countian and grew up in the Goldsboro, now a part of Sanford, but originally a separate community.
After graduating from Lake Mary High School, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Florida A&M, followed by a masters and a doctorate from the University of Central Florida. After having taught at Winter Springs High School, she is now an adjunct at both UCF and Bethune-Cookman.
Tamika’s passion is for social justice, education, and for empowering young women. She sponsors the Young Women of Excellence, helping girls with goal setting and gaining self-knowledge and self-confidence with community involvement. Consequently, she became involved with League’s Black History Month celebration of retired Justice James Perry and served as the Perrys’ hostess for the event.
Her dissertation focused on the connection between identity development and academic success for young Black girls, helping them “know who they are” and overcoming stereotypes. “This is my life’s work,” she said. “This is what I’m called to do, and I hope League will help.”
Tamika and her husband, Andrae, have three children (two still at home) and own Wilco Heating and A/C. | | | SEMINOLE COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW | Seminole County is one of 20 counties in Florida that has a home rule charter. This means that the county has adopted a local constitution or charter that describes the structure, role, and function of our county government and gives the residents of the county the opportunity to design the government that best meets the needs of our community.
The charter was originally adopted in 1988 and took effect in 1989. There is a requirement in the charter that a citizen’s committee (CRC) be appointed every six years to review the charter and make recommendations for any changes it deems necessary. The only way a charter can be changed is for a majority of the registered voters in the county to approve it.
The Seminole Charter is due for review this year with any recommended changes on the ballot in November of 2024. A 15-member citizen’s committee will be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners in August and will begin meeting in September.
In anticipation of this, the League Board has approved the establishment of an ad hoc Charter Review Committee to do our own review of the charter. We will then monitor the work of the CRC, advocating for the changes we would like to see made to the charter. Marilyn Crotty is chairing the committee and will provide periodic updates and educational programs to the membership as the work of the committee progresses. If you have any suggestions about changes you would like to see in the charter or for more information, please contact Marilyn at marilyncrotty07@gmail.com. | | DON’T HAVE TIME … but want to help?
League understands. Most of us have been there, but we still want to do something, something that matters.
Helping disenfranchised people regain the vote – now that’s significant, and with a spare hour in the middle of the night, you can help.
League is sending out postcards to returning citizens, offering help finding a FREE attorney. We also offer to answer a former felon’s questions and to help with voting issues. We offer an emergency phone number (407-710-5496) and an email canIvote@lwvfl.org.
There are still many potential voters to reach, despite sending cards out ahead of last fall’s elections, Seminole League has been asked to address and personalize another 500 cards.
Surely you can address 25 or 50 cards? Email Pat Southward psouthward@earthlink.net.
| | | Thank you to Pat Southward for her donation to our wonderful Black History Program | All Vote-by-Mail Requests Expired January 1, 2023
Renew Your Requests Now!
As of January 1, 2023, all vote-by-mail requests in Florida expired. There are no exceptions. To get a mail ballot going forward, you must submit a new request. You can renew online or by phone.
Renew Online
You can quickly submit a new request online at voteseminole.org/vote-by-mail for Seminole County.
Renew by Phone
You can also call the supervisor of elections office and renew by phone. Call 407-585-8683 for Seminole County (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday). |
New Storage Space!!
We’ve moved to a bigger storage
space…there’s now room to stand up!
If you have any shelving in good condition that you would like to donate,
or if you have LWV materials at your home that should be in the storage unit,
contact Cathy Swerdlow.
| LWVSC Name Badges
Would you like to have a name badge for when you attend LWV events? Or would you like to have one with the new LWV logo on it? If you are a board member, you can request the badge with your position on it, such as Voter Registration Chair or Secretary. Otherwise, it will have your name along with the current LWV logo on it.
The cost for a badge is $10.00. If you are interested, please let Lynn Fenster know by emailing her at lfenster.lwv@gmail.com or telling her at an upcoming Hot Topic.
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