 |   |  | | Fall weather is finally here...it's only 88 not 95! But it is Fall and with it comes lots of opportunities. All of our committees are up and running. Please check the Events section of our website, lwvseminole.org, and click on the Calendar to see all of the committee meetings and events. Be sure to sign in to the website as a member so that you can see all the details and all our Committees. If you see a Committee you would like to join you can do so right from the Committee page!
There are lots of special events this month too...a tour at the Health Department, a Zoom forum on The State of Women's Reproductive Health, an in-person community forum on the Seminole County Charter Revision Process and the meeting with our local Legislative Delegation. I hope you can find at least one of these activities to participate in.
If you live in OVIEDO - Our Voter Services Committee is organizing a debate for your City Mayoral race. Watch your email for the announcement as soon as the location, date and time have been scheduled and coordinated with the candidates.
The move to Chianti's Event Center for Hot Topics was a huge success! The room was gorgeous and the food plentiful and delicious. Valerie Schulz gave an excellent presentation on National Popular Vote and it was livestreamed on Facebook. If you were unable to attend, you can watch it there!
Our next Hot Topics is already planned and will feature Kelly Welch from the Seminole County Community Health Team. Having just completed the 2022 Health Assessment for the county she will have lots of information to share. You can read the report of the assessment Here
Looking forward to seeing you at one or more of the events in October!
Cathy
lwvseminole@gmail.com
| | |  | On Wednesday, September 27, the Education Committee provided its “Girls in Government” program for students at South Seminole Academy of Law, Leadership and Advanced Studies. The League supports efforts to help young women develop an interest in civic involvement and prepare for future roles in politics and leadership. Working in collaboration with the school’s leadership team, the program helps provide the link between girls and elected women, illustrating that there are many diverse ways to make a difference.
About 50 girls met with elected female leaders in Leadership Hall at the school. Participating in the event were Seminole County School Board members Kelley Davis, Autumn Garick, Kristine Kraus (Chair), Amy Pennock, and Abby Sanchez (Vice-Chair), Winter Springs City Commissioner Victoria Colangelo, Longwood City Commissioner Abby Shoemaker, Florida Representative Anna Eskamani and Florida Representative Rachel Plakon. The leaders shared their stories and answered questions from the girls about their paths to their political careers. League President Cathy Swerdlow shared a presentation entitled “Your Voice. Your Power. Your Vote!” The girls were very well prepared and asked questions and guidance from the elected leaders.
The event was outstanding and both girls and elected leaders were excited about their interactions. In the words of one student, “It was inspiring to see all these women and know that I can someday become one of them even if I don't really have an idea of what I want to be. Not because I want recognition but because as a woman, my voice has power and with a little effort it is my responsibility to share it and maybe then I can change the world.”
The Education Committee will sponsor a second Girls in Government event at the school on March 6, 2024.
|  | It is with great respect, fondness and love that we honor our fellow League member, Jane Lane, who passed away while cruising in the UK on September 11th.
Jane will be remembered as a passionate, articulate, intelligent force of nature. It didn't matter if it was her work with the League, as a meticulous Board Secretary, as a Dividend Manager (who worked with DeeDee Schaffner to start the program) who won many awards for most hours given to the program, as a parishioner of her Church, where she cheerfully volunteered many hours, or as a dedicated mother of 3 and grandmother of 10, she did it all with her whole heart and mind.
She will be missed by the many who knew and loved her. She was my mentor as I, a very green League member, became president and from that time on remained a life-long friend.
Jane was devoted to her work of many years as DIVIDENDS manager with Seminole County Public Schools where she was able to touch the lives of children and adults. She was also committed throughout her adult life to League of Women Voters and the involvement of as many citizens as possible in our democratic process. When she retired, she continued her lifelong volunteer work with multiple charitable and humanitarian organizations including Hope Helps and The Oasis at Seminole Sharing Center. She also shared her time with Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in many capacities. Jane loved to dance, enjoyed gatherings and parties, and having a good glass of wine. Her happy
place was always the beach. She loved life.
Friends and family will be received at Baldwin-Fairchild Oviedo Chapel, 501 E. Mitchell Hammock Rd, Oviedo FL on October 5, 6:00PM – 9:00PM. Mass of Christian Burial in Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 113 Lockwood Blvd, Oviedo FL on October 6, 11:00 AM followed by a luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jane’s name to The Sharing Center – The Oasis, www.TheSharingCenter.org 600 North Hwy 17-92, Suite 130, Longwood, FL 32750.
| Make a Difference in an SCPS Student's Life
Become a DIVIDEND!
SCPS DIVIDEND | Seminole County Health Department Tour
October 12, 2023
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
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A Seminole County Health Department tour (400 W. Airport Blvd. Sanford, FL 32773) is scheduled for October 12, 2023, from from 11:00 am to 12 :30 pm. The tour will also include a presentation on Narcan's use, how it is distributed in the County and training on its administration. Health Policy Committee members and all League members are encouraged to attend.
Please RSVP as they are requesting a head count.
Contact Leslie Grubl 321-439-6862 cell lesgrubl@aol.com for more information
| | | The State of Women's Reproductive Health in Florida
October 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm |
Zoom Forum featuring:
Dr. Anna Varlamov, Obstetrician and Gynecologist
UCF College of Medicine Faculty
Speaking on the restrictions and limitations placed on obstetricians and gynecologists in providing reproductive care and the impact on women and families in Florida.
Amy Weintraub, Progress Florida,
Reproductive Rights Program Director
Addressing the policy and political state of reproductive freedom in Florida with recommendations for action.
|  | | Dr. Anna Varlamov
Dr. Anna Varlamov is an obstetrician and gynecologist. In 2015, she joined Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando and joined the UCF College of Medicine in 2021. She serves as a delegate to the House of Delegates with the Florida Medical Association and is a member of the Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review through the Department of Health for the state of Florida.
Dr. Varlamov is the current ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) District XII (state of Florida) Maternal Mortality Committee Chair and Section III Chair. She is also a faculty member with the UCF/HCA GME Consortium in Gainesville for the Ob/Gyn residency program. |  | Amy Weintraub
Amy Weintraub is the Progress Florida Reproductive Rights Program Director and Deputy Communications Director. Amy has extensive experience advocating for reproductive rights, women’s and social change issues, and most recently served as the League of Women Voters Florida State Chair for the Reproductive Health & Justice Action Team. She is at the forefront of the fight for reproductive rights in Florida. | | |
Seminole County Charter Review
Community Forum
October 22, 2023 at 2 pm | The official Seminole County charter review process will begin this month. The Board of County Commissioners has appointed a 15 member Charter Review Commission (CRC), including League members Robin Dehlinger and Marilyn Crotty. The CRC will have its first meeting on Thursday, October 5th at 6:00 p.m. in the County Commission chambers in Sanford. All meetings are open to the public.
A free public forum on the Seminole County Charter and the work of the Charter Review Commission featuring Marilyn Crotty and County Manager Darren Gray will be presented on Sunday, October 22nd, at 2:00 p.m. at the Sanford branch of the Seminole County Library, 150 N. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, FL.
Ms. Crotty will present important background information and the League’s proposed changes to the Charter. These proposed changes were formulated by our LWVSC Charter Review Committee after study and consensus and were presented to and approved by our Board.
County Manager Gray, will speak about his role as the County Manager in our charter government system
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged.
| October Hot Topic
October 26, 2023 | National Voter Registration Day
HUGE Success |  | | At the SSC Main Campus we spoke with 115+ students and registered 34!!
Our volunteers: Val Schulz, Zane (SSC Student), Deana Schott and Cathy Swerdlow
|  | At the SSC Altamonte Campus we spoke to 270 students and registered 23!!
Our volunteers: Mary Ann Coffey and Fred Schott
| | |
| In the Works: Oviedo Mayor Debate!! Final date TBD (Oct. 23 or 25)
Our team: Marilyn Crotty, Sharon Lynn, Diane Leining, Fred & Deana Schott, Cathy Swerdlow
Watch for further details.
| | | | Let’s start a FB “liking team”
To gain traction and more followers we ask those who are active on Social Media to please like and share the posts made on Social Media.
Take this short, two question
on which ones you use.
Help us see how you can help power our presence online!! | | | | Welcome New Members
We're glad you're here!!
August/September 2023
Linda Freda
Rachel Hood
Freida Patten
Valerie Priddy | | | | Thank you for your continued support!
August/September 2023
Single Memberships -
Sandra Boylston
Robin Dehlinger
Polly DeLucia
Taru Joshi
Gail McQueen
Millicent Sanjurjo
Shelda Wilkens
Family Membership -
Al & Janice Hurley
Alice Bamberger & Rene Raymon | | | Voter Services Supernatural Power Halloween Party
October 30, 2023 7-9 pm
Home of Fred & Deana Schott
Come in Halloween Garb (Costumes or Halloween Colors)
Let's get to know our team and get some supernatural power going for the 2024 election season!!!!
Every VOTE will COUNT for the most SUPERNATURAL COSTUME
Light refreshments served
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Central Florida’s 1,4-dioxane contamination has caught the attention of Yale University researchers.
They want to hear concerns from residents who have been drinking water supplied by public utilities in Lake Mary, Sanford and northwest Seminole County. Groundwater in these areas has been contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, an industrial solvent classified as a likely carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The discussion will take place via a Zoom video chat on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Those who want to attend can email Barbara.masi@yale.edu to obtain a link.
| What if people sat down at a table and talked about an issue? What ideas might they come up with? And what if, the best of those ideas then received funding?
This is the idea behind TableTalk, a program from the Central Florida Foundation.
On October 19th you can participate in a discussion of your choice. This program is occurring in 6 Central Florida Counties and there are a wide variety of topics.
| Mark Your Calendar!
Two important events in November are already being planned.
November 6th the Health Policy Committee will have a guest speaker at their meeting at 7 pm on Zoom.
Dr. Frank Catalanotto of Floridians for Dental Access will address the work of his organization in combatting the problem of accessing dental care in Florida. Florida leads the nation in the number of individuals living in professional shortage areas.
November 16th will be the date for our November Hot Topics, as the fourth Thursday we will all be eating turkey! Our program will feature Dr. Michelle Pisani, Coordinator K-12 ELA and Social Studies and Ms. Tiffany Spradling, Coordinator K-12 Math and Science. The title of the program is:
Everything You Want to know about Curriculum and Instructional Resources
-Standards
-Instructional Materials and Frameworks
-Books and Policy
| Check out the Calendar on the
Events Page of our Website for all
Committee Meetings and
Upcoming Events!!!
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