 | THE WORK DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT YOU!
 For those who attended the most recent LWVFL Lunch and Learn, you had the opportunity to hear from a few of our state committee chairs about the work they are doing to create a more perfect democracy, protect voting rights, create awareness for gun violence prevention, address the continued lack of healthcare options and resources, and the ongoing work to get two citizen's initiatives on the 2024 ballot. While our local League focuses on the items developed in our Local Program (which will be voted on Friday, September 1, 2023 at noon via zoom meeting), the state League has additional committees that can always use the support of volunteers locally.
If you'd like to see the list of all state committees, you can find them at https://lwvfl.org/issues/. You can read about the work each committee is focused on and at the very bottom of each issue page, you'll find the name of the committee chair(s) and their contact information. The meetings for the committees are held via zoom each month and a good portion of the work can be done from home such as sending emails to elected officials, making phone calls or letters to the editor to create awareness about an issue or opportunity to create meaningful change in our state.
We simply cannot assume that there are others doing the necessary work to address the challenges faced across our state. We have neighbors who are struggling to maintain or find affordable housing, teachers who are vulnerable to legislation that has muted their voices in teaching factual history, legislators who feel comfortable using language that creates division and demeans vulnerable people, healthcare providers that feel threatened and fearful to provide abortion care to patients, and the list goes on. As President, I do my best to serve as an example of civic engagement and I'm asking you to join me in the work of the League so that our grandchildren inherit a better Florida that is a place where they will thrive without fear of harm due to their religion, orientation, race, or gender; will not experience loss of rights when elected officials feel their power or control is threatened, or live in poverty when the most basic necessities such as housing, healthcare and education become so expensive that they remain out of reach to the working class in our state.
I'm committed to the work here at home and I hope that each of you will join me in that commitment and the work!
| League Basics
We often get questions from members about how or why our local chapter does things (or doesn't do things). The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization which means we neither endorse nor oppose political parties or candidates but we do take position on issues after consensus among members and conferring with state and national League policy. If you'd like to better understand the League of Women Voters work, structure and positions, we invite you to attend one of our Membership Orientation Sessions that are held quarterly via zoom. Our next session will be September 10th and will be announced via email by Karen Parish, our Membership Director. We also encourage you to join committees or volunteer so you can meet other members, speak with our board members, and learn more about the League.
| Postcarding for Restoration of Voting Rights
This month, we were able to send out 2,750 postcards to returning citizens throughout the state of Florida. These postcards provide information about the pro bono legal services offered by the League of Women Voters of Florida to pursue restoration of voting rights. We are grateful to our own members, and to the volunteers and members of the Harriett Tubman Freedom Fighters and Jacksonville National Organization for Women for collaborating with us on this project.
We will continue to host postcarding events and are willing to collaborate with local organizations to get these postcards sent out to those who can benefit from our services.
The League of Women Voters remains committed to creating access to the ballot box for all eligible citizens and part of that work is to help returning citizens regain their right to vote. We appreciate everyone who joins us in this work.
If you know of a local organization who would like to collaborate with us on a postcarding event, please email us at lwvjaxfc@gmail.com.
| Women's Inequality Day Continues
In 2022, The LWVUS Declared August 26th to be Women’s Inequality Day in the aftermath of the Supreme Court rollbacks of reproductive freedom (in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center) and the failure of Congress to pass voting rights legislation or add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.
One year later, we have seen the impact of the Dobbs decision; have seen anti-voter laws passed in states nationwide that could silence voters at the polls. And a century after it was first introduced, we are still calling on Congress to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and make it part of our Constitution.
This August, women stood together demanding that our rights be restored, our voices be heard, and that we ourselves be seen and treated as equals in our democracy. Together, we have the power to create a more perfect and inclusive nation that celebrates our diversity and welcomes everyone to participate. We can create the change we need and want with the power of our votes.
LWVUS has started a campaign to spread the word about women’s equality on social media and is sending a petition to Congress urging them to “uphold your commitment to represent the American people by:
- Protecting women’s rights to vote through federal legislation.
- Affirming the validity of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and ensuring it is finally added to the US Constitution
- Restoring reproductive freedom for all.
We hope you will join us in this work by signing the petition at lwv.org/WID23.
| Volunteer for the Education Team
Passionate about PUBLIC EDUCATION?
Concerned about recent EDUCATION LEGISLATION?
Believe that all children should have access to safe, quality public schools?
 The League of Women Voters of Jacksonville/First Coast needs your help and expertise. Please join our volunteer Education Action Team! Members will work to ensure that DCPS schools have the resources to provide a quality education to all students.
We will contact members when the DCPS school board is meeting on a hot issue. Education Action Team members are encouraged to participate in one or more of the following actions-call or email school board members, attend school board meetings, fill out a speaker’s card, and speak during public comment.
If you are interested in being part of the Education Action Team, please e-mail Kathleen Kane at vp.lwvjaxfc@gmail.com.
Thank you to our members who volunteered in July and August with the Ed Action Team!
Susan Aertker, Carol Brady, Ellen Cage, Karen Droege, Paige Gottlieb, Kathleen Kane, Marianna Kane Karen Parrish, Rhoda Londen, Bernadette Miron, Shannon Shanklin, Judy Sheklin, and Nancy Staats
Beaches Back to School Book Bash
Thank you to all the members who donated school supplies for the Beaches Back to School Book Bash. And a special thank you to the residents of Fleet Landing and members of Indivisible Mandarin! Your generosity enabled us to fill more than 100 bags of goodies to hand out to students!
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LWV of Florida Supports Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion
A coalition entitled “Floridians Protecting Freedom” has launched a citizen-led ballot initiative campaign to give women the right to seek abortions up to viability. Florida voters want women to have the chance to ensure that their personal medical decisions are theirs and theirs alone to make. The League of Women Voters of Florida Board of Directors has voted to support this citizen initiative effort.
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Introducing the League of Women Voters Jacksonville’s Reproductive Health and Justice Initiative
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a vital new endeavor – LWV JAX Reproductive Health and Justice Committee. In a time where reproductive rights are crucially important and a women’s right to choose is being undone, we invite you to join us in this significant effort to advocate for reproductive health and justice in Florida.
As the landscape for reproductive rights continues to evolve (or regress), it is imperative that we unite to safeguard these fundamental rights for all.
Florida, like many states, faces ongoing challenges in the realm of reproductive health and justice. It is essential that we work together, in our league and with our fellow community advocates, to ensure that every individual has access to comprehensive healthcare and the autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies.
We are actively seeking passionate individuals who are committed to advocating for reproductive rights and justice. To join us and work collectively to maintain and support a woman’s right to choose please contact Wendy Snee at wesnee2010@gmail.com. Your support matters, and your voice can make a difference.
| Voter Registration
Voter Registration Committee
A big thanks to our members who have taken the new Voter Registration training and passed the quiz - please see the links below for upcoming events. If you are a member who is interested in joining the Voter Registration Committee or were previously a member but need to retake the quiz - please contact Rhona DiCamillo, Voter Registration Director at lwvjaxfcvote@gmail.com.
Voter Registration Events
September 19th is National Voter Registration Day. We have two events scheduled around that day to register voters. Please consider signing up for these events or our other events in September. The links are below but you must be a trained voter registration committee member to sign-up. Any issues with sign up, please contact Rhona DiCamillo at lwvjaxfcvote@gmail.com.
Register for an Event
| | JOIN US for Orientation
Sunday, September 10, 2023, 2:00-3:00pm
Learn about the history of the League, how we operate, and the process of Study and Action. Meet local League Leadership, committee chairs, and other new members.
New Members are encouraged to attend.
Current members as well as non-members are also invited.
Register Here
You will receive an email with the Zoom link following your registration. | | | Join the Work to Help Prevent Alzheimer’s
Every day, researchers are working to find ways to prevent dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. But they can’t do it alone. They are seeking community members aged 65 and older to volunteer for the PACT (Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training) research study to see if computerized training exercises can reduce the risk of dementia.
While the criteria to participate in the study is aged 65 and older, we are inviting League members and the community of all ages to join us for a presentation by Maria Vander Meulen, M.S., Clinical Research Coordinator, Preventing Alzheimer’s with Cognitive Training (PACT), University of North Florida (UNF). While the topic is serious, we will actually enjoy a game of bingo or trivia in addition to the 15 minute presentation.
The criteria to participate in the study is listed below and you can read more about the PACT at pactstudy.org.
You may qualify if you:
• Are 65 years of age or older
• Do not have any neurological disorders
• Have not had a stroke or brain injury
• Do not have mild cognitive impairment or dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease
If you qualify, study participation takes about three years and includes 3 study visits of up to 2 hours each. You will also complete 45 one-hour computer training sessions on your own, in your own home.
Presentation will be held:
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Regency Square Library
9900 Regency Square Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32225
Community Rooms A and B
Please register by September 26, 2023 as space is limited: Registration link: https://forms.gle/o6PfbgBCYEuVJ8o3A | |
First Wednesday Lunch with the League with Hazel Gillis, President of James Weldon Johnson Branch of ASALH
Wednesday, October 4, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Seasons 52, 5096 Big Island Drive, Jacksonville
The League is pleased to announce that Hazel Gillis, President of James Weldon Johnson Branch of the Association for the Study of African American History (ASALH) will be the speaker for our October luncheon.
Ms. Gillis will share ASALH’s mission to educate the citizenry of Duval County about the rich history and accomplishments of African Americans and discuss the impact of Florida’s new African American History standards.
Tickets are available on our website. Members and non-members are encouraged to attend. Seating is limited so register early!
| OLLI Showcase
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) programs promote life-enhancing approaches to positive aging and is a place that can help us keep current, grow personally, and enjoy the simple pleasure of learning new things. We are excited to share that OLLI UNF is hosting a Homecoming and Showcase Tuesday, September 9, 2023 at 10:00 am at UNF and will celebrate the return of the program to campus and offer light refreshments. Attendees will enjoy a special program with live music and behind the scenes insights. OLLI Members and Non-members are encouraged to attend. There is no cost for this event but registration in advance is required at: https://www.campusce.net/unfolli/course/course.aspx?C=1980&pc=48&mc=0&sc=0
| The Impact of the Florida Supreme Court’s Upcoming Abortion Case
Join the RBG Fund discussion, just two days before the oral arguments in Florida’s 15-week abortion ban case, Planned Parenthood vs the State of Florida. The case argues that the abortion ban is unconstitutional under the Florida state constitution, which contains an explicit privacy clause that protects individuals’ right to privacy, including abortion.
This distinguished panel of former Supreme Court Justices will review the case, how we got here, and what’s at stake.
Click here to register now
| Save the Date- October 14!
Last year's membership appreciation dinner was such a huge success we decided to make it a reoccuring event! We will be hosting our 2nd Annual Membership Appreciation event as a luncheon on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at noon at the UNF Adam W. Herbert University Center at 12000 Alumni Drive, Room 1027, Jacksonville, FL 32224. This event will be open to League members and members of the public.
Debbie Chandler, Co-President, League of Women Voters of Florida will serve as our guest speaker and we will recognize the many contributions of our members.
Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for the official announcement and registration.
| | Florida Right to Clean and Healthy Waters Petition | | |
The League of Women Voters of Florida has endorsed the Right to Clean and Healthy Waters petition and we will be gathering petitions in our four counties (Clay, Duval, Nassau and St Johns). We only have until November 2023 to gather the mandatory minimum number of petitions (891,589) across the state.
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We wish to acknowledge and thank those who have made donations this month:
Carole Hamilton
Joann Liemberg
Our website, lwvjaxfc.org, offers an easy way to make donations to LWVJFC, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the red "Donate" button at the top of the Homepage. | | | Volunteers Always Needed
Quite often, our League needs volunteers to help with small tasks that are not time consuming but vital to our leadership and membership.
If you are willing to help make phone calls, be trained to send text messages, or assist in other ways, please contact us and let us help you figure out how to invest your time in our League and our democracy.
Contact Lanelle at lwvjaxfc@gmail.com to discuss topics and abilities.
For more specific volunteer tasks, click HERE.
| | | | We can't do it without you! Please join in recognizing our new and returning members from last month.
New Members—Welcome aboard!
Susan Fogarty
Mari Ganues
Isabelle Hansen
Debra Hill
Beth Norman
Dawn Theodore
Patricia Vale
Returning Members—Thank you so much for choosing to renew!
Mary McLaughlin
Andrea Letizia
Diane Floyd
Elena Rigg
Maria Johnson
Susan Schantz
Gina Derenge
Janice Waters
Deborah Azcuy
Dianne Battle
Pam Korn
Elizabeth Head
Kathleen Kane
Mary Thaler
Jo-Ann Leimberg
Juanita Powell-Williams
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Be sure to check out our website, lwvjaxfc.org, for an easy way to join or renew online, even if you prefer to pay by check. Click on the blue “Join Today” button at the top of the Homepage.
Members who wish to renew must log in. If you are using a Mobile device, you will need to select Desktop at the bottom of your screen to receive the Login prompt. | | |
Local
Stay up-to-date on all local upcoming events on the LWV of Jacksonville / First Coast:  Regional
The Regional Facebook Group,
LWV Florida North Regional Leagues, includes Alachua, Bay, Jacksonville/First Coast, Okaloosa & Walton, Pensacola Bay Area, and Tallahassee.
| Contact Us
We look forward to hearing from you!
Phone: 904-355-8683
Email: LWVJAXFC@gmail.com
Postal Address:
Please use the address below even if a form or document you have received from the League gives a different one.
League of Women Voters Jacksonville First Coast
PO Box 330353
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 | | | | The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. We influence public policy through education and advocacy. | | |
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