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Date: 5/21/2026
Subject: LWVOC Newsletter & Events
From: Lisa K Adkins


Big plans for a long weekend? If you need lounge chair reading ideas, here's a few to get you caught up on all things LWVOC.
Voter Services final week of high school Senior Clearance ~ These teams were in high schools across Orange County, many arriving at 7AM to make sure outgoing senior students were given accurate information about their RIGHT to VOTE as well as an opportunity to register. This is truly what democracy looks like! Top row L-R: Winter Park HS, Melinda Wright, Caroline Blydenburgh, SOE rep Not pictured: Gina Hall, Deborah Lederer; Freedom HS, Jody Kalman, Caroline Blydenburgh, Victor Collazo; Timber Creek HS Victor Collazo, Caroline Blydenburgh, SOE rep. Not pictured: Gina Hall; Apopka HS Mary Ann Coffey, Emily Glickstein, SOE rep, Saudi Ellis, Kathleen Skambis;
Bottom Row L-R: Windermere HS Jeannie Briggs, Nancy Jo Mannix. Not pictured: Toni Pollock, Kathy Schmitz; Boone HS, Meisha from SOE, Trudy Boston, Lauren Houk; Timber Creek HS SOE rep, Mary Bonifay, Roshni Babb.  Not pictured: Caroline Blydenburgh, Kathy Schmitz
Central Florida Leaguers (Orange, Seminole & others) attended the Orlando Sings, Harmonia's Stand Tall performance at the Dr. Phillips Center on May 16. It is fun to "league" in a social setting but what's more fun?  Hearing from the performers and other guests that they were "so happy to see you still getting out the vote" is great reason to join us for the next event! Keep an eye out for future opportunities on our Events Calendar.
 
And if you want to be part of GOTV (Get out the vote) then check out our Voter Services Committee.
Targeted outreach has been reaping great networking opportunities for LWVOC. VS Co-Chair Saudi Ellis and LWVOC members Cherlynn Williams and Dr. Rebekah McLeod joined their sister members of the Central FL Section of the National Council of Negro Women at the Orange County Multicultural Center Open House on Wednesday May 20th. The event provided residents of the Pine Hills community with resources and services available in Orange County. In addition to being able to Ieave voter resource materials for residents, we were able to connect with other agencies for future outreach opportunities. Pictured L-R are Cherlynn Williams, Dr. Rebekah McLeod, newly elected CFS-NCNW President Dr. Kim Dawson, outgoing President Carole Davis, and Saudi Ellis.
Leaguer Kam Shenai connects the dots again bridging policy with real life.
The AAPI Economic Juggernaut: Fueling the American Dream
"For too long, the AAPI story has been framed through struggle or “otherness.” Those challenges are real—but they obscure a more powerful truth: the AAPI community is the silent economic engine of the United States. Every May, we celebrate our heritage, but this year it is time to celebrate our impact—and then use that impact to shape our future."
RECAP of this month's program-Rigged by Design: The Architecture of Voter Suppression-is live now with photos, video, review and more.
A full lineup of participating candidates will be coming soon!
David Russell
Jada Hunter
Ryan Granger
Julie Sullivan
Lexi Rodriguez
 
Emily S. Glickstein Todd Weaver
Mary C. Weinsier Jane Franklin
Kathy Magruder Mary Hardy
Nancy Mallison Kathy Sheerin
Ruth Hamberg Eden Fulmer
Harrold S. Rhoads, Giving Society
Marilee Emerson Bob Gordon
Elizabeth A. Kelly Julie Sullivan
Melahn Murphy Carolina R. Lofgren
Jeanette Lockington
DID YOU KNOW that only 20% of membership dues go directly to LWVOC? Yes, our state and national Leagues receive the bulk of your dues, and we understand that they have a lot of legal/organizational fees to pay for in efforts to defend our democracy...but that means we have to make up a large difference locally!
Our generous Visionary Sponsors (Jennifer and Phil Anderson) have offered a $25,000 Match, doubling every contribution this summer!
Every dollar you give DOUBLES the power to support our efforts to empower voters. Wonder what we spend our money on? View our year's Budget Assumptions Here.
 
VOLUNTEER
>>Check out our Volunteering page regularly!
All volunteers must have taken and passed the LWVFL Voter Registration Assistance Quiz 
 
>>MAY 30 Voter Assistance - Community Health Event at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 5200 W South St., Orlando
 
>>July 25 Voter Assistance - Keiser First Aid Fair, Keiser University 5600 Lk Underhill Rd, Orlando
The League was asked to provide election monitoring and ballot certification of the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) election for 150 FACE members at their annual conference. 
 
Observer Corps
Volunteers observe council meetings (via Zoom or in person) and submit for Gov. committee. Check the Volunteer page for Apopka. 
At the FL Special Session, they're deciding the budget NOW! Use your voices to demand increased funding for our court system to keep pace with the growing population of our area and FOR the restoration of Victims of Crime Act funding to support victims of domestic abuse.
Click for full Petition Information HERE
Central Florida struggles with rising homelessness with little agreement on solutions. Why do some places have much higher rates than others? Let's explore the answers together. Join the DEIA Committee and Social Justice Book Club on June 17 at 7p in a virtual community discussion about the book, "Homelessness Is a Housing Problem" by Gregg Colburn and Clayton Page. Please refer to the League calendar for the Zoom link.
SAVE the DATE!
JUNE 6, 1-4pm
Please join us for this Wear Orange/ Prevent Gun Violence event. We will have a panel discussion and audience questions after the screening of this powerful film. Our goal..NO more empty rooms.

Sponsors are vital to our work to empower voters by providing timely information for the benefit of non-partisan civic engagement in our community and we have a range of sponsorship levels available. To further explore how to become a sponsor, please contact LWVOC Vice President and Fund Development Chair Lee Rambeau Kemp HERE

Also, check out our NEW Fund Development Committee page if you'd like to become more involved in our efforts.
LWVOC is a 501(c)(3 )tax-exempt organization and your gift is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a gift as a deduction on your taxes, please keep your email gift receipt as your official record. The receipt is sent to you upon successful completion of your donation.

A copy of the official registration and financial information for LWVOC, a Florida based nonprofit organization (Registration No. CH26900) may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll free 1-800-435-7352 within the state or visiting their website at fdacs.gov/CONSUMERSERVCES. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
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