While we recently took the time to express our gratitude to our members for the work that has been done to support free and fair elections, register voters, educate voters, and engage the public, we are asking that each of our members find some aspect of League work to support.

The next Florida Legislative Session does not begin until March 2023, but the time to prepare for session is quickly approaching. Our chapter will be sending each newly elected House and Senate representative congratulatory letters and will include our local and state priorities but it is imperative that they hear from YOU, their constituents. On Saturday, December 3, I will be hosting a meeting for League members to discuss what is important to you and drafting letters to our representatives.

This past election, we saw a huge disconnect between candidates and voters. Several candidates all but completely ignored voters by not attending forums, debates, or community gatherings and instead used only TV ads and mailers to get their message out. This often leaves candidates to rely on political affiliation votes and doesn’t allow them to hear the wide range of issues or needs from constituents of different political parties. Once elected, these persons represent constituents throughout their district and should hear from them regardless of party affiliation.

Prior to the legislative session, representatives will be attending orientation and subcommittee meetings. Corresponding with them via letter, email or phone is beneficial but meeting with them in person has merit. While some of the newly elected representatives have not yet reported their local office locations or mailing addresses, we will work to provide those to you as they become available.

Local League Celebrates Members

Our local League took the time Sunday, November 13, to gather at the UNF Adam W. Herbert University Center for a Member Appreciation Dinner. We presented members with certificates and letters of appreciation for their ongoing work registering voters, reaching out to returning citizens who might need guidance in restoring their voting rights, and developing the nonpartisan online voter guide, Vote411.org. We also recognized our Education and Healthcare Committee members for their work throughout the pandemic. Also recognized that evening were two 50-year members, Nora Manahan and Mary Alice Phelan.

• Justice was always an important issue in Nora Manahan’s family. Her father had fled from Ireland to the United States in 1929, so this was a family value she adopted early and practiced while protesting the Vietnam war on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In 1975, living in St. Louis, Nora volunteered to canvas door-to-door advocating for a millage rate increase for local school improvements. Many of the women she worked with were members of the League of Women Voters. She got interested and joined. Once settled in Ponte Vedra in 2000 she joined the League again. In recent years she has worked mostly on Voter Registration and luncheon registration at our monthly Speakers Meetings. Don also joined and attended with her until his death last year. Nora continues to help her Cypress Village neighbors with voter registration and assistance, such as change of address and access to vote-by-mail. In addition, she volunteers for hospice and PEO.

• Mary Alice Phelan joined the League of Women Voters of Jacksonville in 1970 and has remained a member ever since. In the latter part of the 1970s, she served as our “go-to” person on matters of the Florida Constitution and the Constitution Revision Commission, even writing publications on redistricting. Her work with the Jacksonville League brought her to the attention of Mayor Jake Godbold’s chief of staff, who recommended her for nomination to the Greater Jacksonville Economic Opportunity board (GJEO). This experience led to appointment to the Downtown Development Authority and the Mayor’s Economic Council and eventually to Leadership Jacksonville.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s the Florida League studied and acted on Farm Workers and their conditions. Ten years later when she was St. Vincent’s Director of Community Health and Benefit, Mary Alice had the opportunity to lead the Mobile Health Outreach Ministry. One of its projects was to provide healthcare without cost to persons lacking access to healthcare, and the first group with whom they worked were the farmworkers in St. Johns and Putnam Counties. To this day Ascension St. Vincent’s continues this ministry. “Everything I ever accomplished in my career was because of the League of Women Voters,” said Mary Alice.

Our League would be nothing without the ongoing contributions and volunteerism of our members, and while we ask for your forgiveness if we overlooked you, please know that we appreciate you.

The League is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and to ensure that everyone is represented in our democracy. If you are interested in ways to get involved in an issue that is of interest to you, please reach out so we can connect you to the work. Anyone desiring to learn more about the local League of Women Voters may do so at lwvjaxfc.org.

Local

Stay up-to-date on all local upcoming events on the LWV of Jacksonville / First Coast: 

• Website 

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

Regional
The Regional Facebook Group, LWV Florida North Region Leagues, includes Alachua, Bay, Jacksonville/First Coast, Okaloosa & Walton, Pensacola Bay Area, and Tallahassee.

State
For statewide news and action items, visit the LWV of Florida. 

National

The League of Women Voters of the United States