Emailing - League of Women Voters of Orange County

With the year winding down, LWVOC members and guests gathered last night to celebrate each other and a year of accomplishments. Also, we honored League partners and presented them with "Warriors for Democracy" awards. Those included Sam Coodley of All Voting is Local, Sister Ann Kendrick with Hope CommUnity Center, and Rep. Anna V. Eskamani-District 42 Florida House of Representatives

Their acceptance speeches were inspirational but most importantly, all of them expressed HOPE for the future and a determination to keep up the work that will defend democracy for future generations.

Be sure to check out our annual year-end video montage as well: LWVOC 2024 It's the longest one yet because 2024 was BUSY! You'll see our Voter Services teams, the AAP-FOP volunteers, Leaguers participating in local events including parades, protests, and government meetings.

Also, view Carol Wonsavage's complete Photo Album HERE

*Shown below L-R: LWVOC Pres. Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Sister Ann Kendrick, First VP Lee Rambeau-Kemp, Sam Coodley, Rep. Anna Eskamani, presentation of donated toys to HCC, Summer Ellis and Mary Montanus

Don't delay! Many of you are seeing your RENEWAL notices on the lwvoc.org site or in an email. Please do so before DEC 31.

In 2025, joining or renewing with LWVOC will be transferring to our national site but, there's still time for you to take care of your membership locally. Simply RENEW or if you've been putting it off, JOIN by visiting: MEMBERSHIP Here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Immigration: What is next for Central Florida?
Immigration advocates are concerned about what may happen after Jan. 20 since President-elect Donald Trump has vowed mass deportations of millions of undocumented immigrants. The Jan. 8 Hot Topics discussion will focus on how Central Florida and its residents may be affected by sweeping deportation orders. What are immigrants in the community doing to prepare themselves? How will local industries, such as farming, construction and hotels, be affected? How will Orange County respond?

WESH 2 Anchor Nancy Alvarez, the child of Cuban immigrants, will moderate the discussion. The panel includes Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, executive director of HOPE CommUnity Center in Apopka, and Gisselle Martinez, co-founder and legal director of the Orlando Center for Justice. Both Sousa-Lazaballet and Martinez are immigrants themselves who have worked to help others in the community gain citizenship and to understand their rights.

*Members, be sure to log into the system first to receive your discount.

The 2025 Hot Topics program begins JAN 8. and we're beginning the year with one of the hottest topics in the nation but even hotter for central Florida!

This is a great opportunity to invite a friend to lunch and share the impact that LWVOC makes on the community.

Dowell Bethea

Robert Leger
Tiffani Emanuel-Calvert
Matthew Grocholske

Interested in giving the GIFT of League membership to friends or family? Email the lwvocmembership@gmail.com team for more information.

Share this newsletter and invite your family and social circles to JOIN the League of Women Voters of Orange County!

Bill and Linda Freeman, in honor of the tireless work of Pat Grierson

Emerson and Geraldine Thompson, a generous donation to the LWVOC Fund

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.

Statewide call to action: The League of Women Voters supports the Florida Right to Clean Water campaign, a citizens' initiative to amend the Florida Constitution with the right to clean and healthy waters. If our current laws were working, then we wouldn’t have manatees dying in record numbers, 80% of our 1000 springs impaired, and harmful blue-green algae and red tide in greater frequency and duration. A constitutional right takes precedence over legislation that permits pollution, restricts fertilizer bans, and allows radioactive materials to be used in our roads. Create a legacy for the future of our waters!

The Right to Clean Water! In support of establishing our basic right to clean and healthy water, LWVOC has committed to helping get this citizen initiative on the 2026 ballot. Please sign your own petition. Those who signed prior to 2024 will need to sign the new petition.

Learn how YOU can become an active volunteer here: https://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org/resources