2016 2nd Quarter Newsletter August 14

Newsletter 2nd Q 2016
President’s Message
Dear DWCF members,
The condolences of our members are offered to the families of those who have
transitioned during the past quarter. We are all connected. When there are shooting
deaths at a nightclub in Orlando, when those who have contributed to DWCF’s mission
pass away, (Sandra Cogley Brown, from Panama City; Shirley Boughton from Walton
County; Shirley Rawls from St. John’s County; Daisy Black from Miami Dade County and
many others in our DWCF extended family) it highlights the sustained passion and legacy
those who go before have provided in their efforts to advocate for DWCF’s progressive
causes.
DWCF members honor those who have gone before us by continuing our fight for what is
right for all Floridians and beyond. Indeed, this past quarter has been very productive for
DWCF in many ways. We have chartered two new clubs; DWC of Marion County and
DWC of West Orange County. Thanks to all those who helped with this effort including
Claudette Pelletier, Barbara Grimm, Patty Farley, Lanie Frame, Carol King and Sandra
McClinton. We are eager to celebrate our 60th Anniversary Annual Convention at the
Hilton Bayfront in St. Petersburg from September 15-18, 2016, for which much
preparation is credited to Mary Freeman’s Convention Committee.
We are proud that 30 DWCF members were elected to serve as delegates at the
Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia at the end of July. We continue to offer
Candidate Trainings across Florida, thanks to Candidate Training and Mentoring Chair
Dianne Williams Cox.
During this past quarter, DWCF members have proven their activism by advocating for
social justice and political action on many issues including the call for a special session of
the Florida Legislature to consider measures which lessen gun violence to advocating for
health care access for women. Thank you Legislative Chair Milly Krause for your
substantive leadership. The DWCF has provided robo calls to support Vote By Mail efforts
to approximately 10,000 people across Florida. DWCF members are politically focused
and engaged.
As DWCF President, I have had a full quarter. I have visited the DWC of Charlotte
County, DWC of Charlotte County, DWC of SE Hillsborough, DWC of Alachua, DWC of the
Lakes Area, DWC of Sarasota and spoke at the first organizational meetings of the DWC
of Marion County and DWC of West Orange County. I also worked at the DWCF Archives
at the University of Central Florida Library along with Cora Lumpkin, our DWCF Archivist
and Phillip Miner and Ingrid Montgomery from Duval County.
I attended the National Federation of Democratic Women Convention in Charleston,
South Carolina from June 9th to the 12th, along with Danielle Neetz who is President of
the DWC of Volusia, Marylou Woods who is DWCF Region III Chair and Sheryl Eddie who
is President of the DWC of Alachua and the DWCF Website Manager. (cont. P 3)
Volume 1, Issue 2
What’s inside!
Legislative Review
New Clubs
National Federation of
Democratic Women’s
Convention photos
July BOD Quarterly Meeting
Photos
Tribute to Daisy Black
Newsletter request
Club Highlights
Don’t forget to wrap up all
convention paperwork
Visit:
http://www.dwcf.org/
convention_2016/
WC Lee Meeting on the NAACP Lee County Redistricting
Plan for the School Board Presented James Muwakkil
President Lee County NAACP.
r. Fred Jones, NAACP
presenting NAACP School Board
Redistricting to the membership.
The Democratic Women’s Club of Lee County (DWC Lee)
has prepared a position paper on fair and legal representation in
our community, “Principled Districting in Lee County”, and is
sharing it with Lee County School Board and the Board of County
Commissioners candidates for information purposes.
The paper was commissioned by the Democratic Women’s Club of
Lee County, Florida, and was prepared by its Issue Committee in
the spring of 2016. It presents the arguments for immediately
amending the Lee County Charter so that votes by minorities for
Lee County Commissioners are no longer diluted and move elected
representatives closer to the electors. It entreats the Board of
County Commissioners (BOCC) and Lee County School Board to draw politically
cohesive districts as required by the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution and
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
These remedies are necessary to be consistent with the underlying principles of our
republic. The paper appeals to all who believe in fair and legal representation to join
in the effort to convince the BOCC to pass a resolution authorizing a referendum of
the electors on a Mixed (Hybrid) or Single Member Districting system and for both the
BOCC and School Board to adopt the districting map proposed by the local NAACP in
September, 2015.
peaker Julia
Perkins from Coalition
of Immokallee
Workers and Fair
Food
2
Presidents Message continued:
lorida Senator Arthenia
Joyner receiving the National Federation of Democratic
Women’s Outstanding Woman in Public Service Award
at the NFDW Convention in
Charleston, South Carolina
in June 2016.
asmina Forcan from the DWC of Upper Pinellas was honored with
the NFDW Humanitarian Award.
D
Thanks to our Awards Chair Claudette Pelletier
nominating our Florida notables for NFDW Awards,
the NFDW Awards luncheon recognized two
Florida women. Jasmina Forcan from the DWC of
Upper Pinellas was honored with the NFDW
Humanitarian Award. Florida Senator Arthenia
Joyner, was honored with the NFDW Outstanding
Woman Holding Public Office Award.
Eleanor Roosevelt initiated the Women’s Division
of the Democratic National Committee in 1940.
The Women’s Division was replaced with NFDW in
the early 1970’s. NFDW has three seats on the
Democratic National Committee. I am proud to
have been elected at the NFDW Convention to
serve as a DNC Representative for NFDW with my
four year term beginning after the Democratic
National Convention in July 2016. This entails two
meetings per year. As one of NFDW’s DNC
Representatives, I am officially on the NFDW
Board and as such, must attend NFDW Board
meetings. I am humbled and excited to have been
elected to serve in this position. I am also proud in
knowing I am the first DWCF member to serve as
a NFDW representative to the Democratic National
Committee.
WCF
Region
III Chair
Marylou
Woods and
DWC of Volusia President
Danielle
Neetz viewing
the memorial
gifts placed at
the Emmanuel AME
Church in Charleston while they were in Charleston, South Carolina at the
NFDW Convention in June 2016. DWCF 's commitment remains steadfast in
advocating for common sense gun laws
During the next months, DWCF members
will be working very hard to get
Democrats elected up and down the
ticket. We have been coordinating with
the National and Florida Coordinated
Campaign leaders. With the enthusiasm,
organizational skills and follow-through of
our members, we will make history in
turning Florida blue and putting the United
States of America’s first female President
in the White House. This is a good year
for women, a good year for Democrats
and a fantastic year for DWCF.
Democratically yours,
Dr. Maureen McKenna
3
Democratic Women’s Club Charlotte County was awarded our annual scholarship at
a special luncheon in June. Our practice is to award one $1,000 scholarship. Each year the
candidate writes an essay on a subject chosen by the scholarship committee. This year's subject
was "Why Women in Politics Matter." However, this year the scholarship committee could not
make a decision between two top candidates. The scholarship committee came back to the BOD
and asked if we could give a full scholarship to one and half a scholarship to the other. The BOD
agreed and the membership voted in favor also.
The Democratic
Women's Club of
Charlotte County
honored their 2016
scholarship winners
recently. DWC
Community
Scholarships were
awarded to graduating
seniors Emily Boykin
from Port Charlotte High
School and Kara Marie
Lefebvre from Lemon
Bay High School. The
awards recognized their leadership and academic success as well as their determination to make
the world a better place. The DWC also awarded Becky Corvil, the DWC 2015 Scholarship
winner, a donation for her continued studies.
Pictured with the scholarship winners are members of the Scholarship Committee. L-R Dr. Lucy
Garner, Mary Holly Allison, Kara Marie Lefebvre, Emily Boykin, Rebecca Corvil and Mary Ellen
Taylor.
Emily Boykin and Kara Lefebvre will be attending University of Florida. Rebecca will be
transferring to the University of North Florida this year.
ur DWC of Charlotte County member, Betty Gissendanner. received
this flag and certificate in the mail recently. These are her words.
"I was surprised by this postal delivery recently of the American flag and
Certificate of Authenticity saying the flag was flown in my honor on a
launcher in Operation Enduring Freedom on April 9.
I pray there would be fewer wars. I ask God to protect those going into
battle as well as those supporting them and those home waiting for their
return from battle. God bless our fighting force. Many thanks to Melissa
Aitkins for caring so much to send these amazing gifts from thousands of
miles from home."
4
The Democratic Women’s Club of Palm Bay
Celebrated Democratic Women’s Month, Membership Drive, Annual Picnic and their June meeting
The Democratic Women's Club of Escambia County
c
anvassing efforts on June
25 included registering voters,
encouraging our voters to vote
by mail, and getting petition
signatures for the voting rights
restoration ballot initiative.
alf of our over 25 volunteers
posed for this photo after the
Democratic Women's Club of
Escambia County canvassed on
June 25 to turn out the vote in
Pensacola. We're geared up for
Hillary and our down-ballot
candidates.
5
Democratic Women’s Club of SE Hillsborough
Since being chartered April 9th in Ocala, the Democratic Women’s Club of SE Hillsborough has continued to grow
in membership by providing interesting programs and training opportunities for its members.
At our April meeting, Eleanor Saunders of the Emergency Crisis Help Organization (E.C.H.O.) that serves the
Southeastern Hillsborough area spoke on the numerous community services that the organization provides for
community members in crisis. Members donated toiletry articles that Saunders said were desperately needed by
those aided by E.C.H.O. Two new members joined our club that evening, and several members decided to join
E.C.H.O.’s tutoring program.
In May we were delighted to host Dr. Maureen McKenna, President of the DWCF, who visited our new club with
Region 8 Chair Susie Johnson. Dr. McKenna spoke to our club on the origins of the Democratic Women’s Club in
Florida.
Charter member Donna Fore conducted voter registration training before our April and May meetings. Ten
members took the April training and two members attended the May training. Ms. Fore also set up voter registration opportunities at the Bloomingdale Library in Valrico and the Seffner-Mango Branch Library, where several of the newly trained club members volunteered. Donna has worked with our members Fran Bodman and
Merle Berg to establish voter outreach in the Valencia Lakes and Sun City areas.
At our June 2nd meeting four invited candidates for state and county positions presented their platforms and
goals, as well as fielded questions from members and guests in the audience. Guest candidates included Andrew Warren, running for Hillsborough State Attorney (13th Judicial Circuit); Rev. Dr. Tom Scott, running for
Hillsborough County Commissioner; and Rena Upshaw-Frazier and Naze Sahebzamani both vying for the Democratic candidate for state representative from District 59. Two candidates for school board, Alan Clendenin and
Noreen Copeland, requested and were granted time to speak at this event. This forum was very well-attended
as reported in an
article in the June
4th edition of The
Tampa Bay Times.
L
to R: Andrew Warren, candidate Hillsborough State Attorney; Gwen Szafranski, DWC SE
Hillsborough president; Rena Frazier, candidate for state representative District 59; Tracey Corn,
1st VP of DWC SE Hillsborough; Rev. Tom Scott, candidate for county commissioner; and Alan
Clendenin, running for Hillsborough county School Board, pose before candidate forum held June
2 by the DWC of SE Hillsborough.
6
JASMINA (JESSIE) FORCAN NAMED NFDW HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR
Last year as the President of the DWCUP, I nominated Jasmina (Jessie) Forcan for the DWCF Humanitarian of
the Year award. She won, and as the state winner, Jessie then became a nominee at the national level, the
NFDW. She won that too, the first Floridian ever to do so. Without a doubt, Jessie Forcan is the finest example
of an activist, advocate and humanitarian I
have ever known.
Jessie is originally from Bosnia. She moved
here with her husband and family to build
a better life. By the time she was eligible
to vote, she was already a Democrat in
spirit. She was so excited to cast her first
vote for Al Gore as President, but when
she arrived at the polling place, the name
George Bush kept popping up—and the
poll worker just told her she wasn’t doing
it right. She felt the vote was rigged and
became a political activist on the spot.
Although she had her own Interior Decorating business in Pinellas County for 15 years, she gave it up and
became a full-time activist. The first candidate she worked for, supported and donated to was Hillary Clinton.
However, as Barack Obama became the nominee, she jumped right into the Obama campaign and gave it her
all. She worked even harder on his re-election; in fact, every morning she got up saying, “What can I do today
to get President Obama re-elected?” During those two campaigns, she knocked on nearly a thousand doors
and registered over 1000 new voters.
In addition, she was worked diligently for numerous local Democrats, from phone calling and getting petitions
signed, to attending events, working the polls and going door-to-door. This is a woman who says YES to all
the caring, progressive elements of the Democratic Party!
To improve the lives of the local populace, she became active in the Pinellas County NAACP. She helped to
raise the necessary funds to reopen the Martin Luther King Jr Center in Clearwater. She volunteers there every
week in various capacities, running a summer art program, tutoring kids, and is working on ways to reduce
the energy costs at the Center.
In addition to her work for candidates, she is the environmental conscience of us all. If you call her, rather
than her name, you simply hear her say, “Save the Planet.” She is a sustaining member of the Sierra Club
award and routinely goes to Tallahassee to lobby and demonstrate and work for the Land and Water Legacy,
Anti-Fracking efforts and Solar Energy. For example, she collected over 700 petitions for what became
Amendment 1. She’s been cleaning beaches since before it was popular to do so. In all of the local
organizations she’s a part of, she leads the recycling effort. She’s on a mission to leave the world better for
future generations.
Jessie’s concern for all animals is well known. She is a six-year volunteer at Moccasin Lake in Clearwater. She
volunteers once a week and every other Sunday to care for the birds of prey—eagles, hawks, owls and other
raptors.
Currently, Jessie is active in the Progressive Democrats, Pinellas Stonewall Democrats, Largo Democrats, Palm
Harbor Democrats, Greater Pinellas Democrats, the PCDEC and both the Hispanic and Environmental
Caucuses of the Democratic Party. Most importantly (to us), she’s a staunch member of the DWCUP, the
Democratic Women’s Club of Upper Pinellas.
7
Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River
une 11th
monthly luncheon
with Florida State
Senator Dwight
Bullard, who spoke
about the hurdles
and issues facing
the Democratic
Party both in
Florida and
nationally, with an
energizing and
optimistic
presentation.
Shown here with
President Lanie
Frame.
ay 14th monthly luncheon
with speaker Mindi Fetterman,
Executive Director of the Inner
Truth Project with President
Lanie Frame. Her non-profit
helps victims of sexual violence.
enator Bullard shown with
DWC members Valerie BrantWilson, Guest Kathryn Wilson,
Venda Burgess, Lilie Holt and
Guest Reatha Holmes.
n May 7th, our Congressional District, including
Brevard and Indian River County, voted to select two
women as delegates for Hillary Clinton to the
Convention. We were proud that the two delegates
selected were DWC of IRC members Sharon Hayes and
Valerie Brant-Wilson.
any DWC members attended a luncheon at Marsh Landing on May 24th in honor of Democratic Women's
Month. Speaker was Richard Votapka, unofficial Fellsmere historian. After lunch members went down the street to the
historical marker designating Fellsmere as the first city south of the Mason-Dixon Line to give women the right to vote in
1915. Many DWC members were instrumental in getting this marker placed. Pictured are Richard Votapka, Elsie Visel,
Lynn Becherer, Ilene White, Claudette Pelletier, Beth Thomas, Peggy Lynch, Sharon Kolor, Connie Richardson, Linda MacDonald and Pat O'Hara.
8
Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River (Missed in last newsletter)
ally Days contingent with our State Rep. Debbie Mayfield: Valerie
Brant-Wilson, DWC Pres. Lanie Frame, Barb Spelman, Region VI
Chair Claudette Pelletier and DWC VP Kathie Jaskolski.
outh Empowerment Luncheon with
speaker State Rep. Larry
Lee: Awardees Caitlyn Taylor, Jamie
Cass, Jordan Vann, Rachel Horowitz and
Briana Giovannone.
RC St. Patrick's Day Parade attended by DEC and DWC
members to a great reception from the crowd. Below... is
our DWC banner carried by Beth Thomas, Pam August and Linda
MacDonald.
M
arch luncheon speaker
Leslie Swan, IRC Super-
visor of Elections Leslie Swan
with President Lanie Frame
roup picture from the 2nd Quarter Board Meeting Below
9
The Democratic Women’s Club of Volusia The Annual Picnic sponsored by The Democratic
Women’s Club of Volusia County at Cracker Creek was a huge success. Club members and friends enjoyed presentations from our Presidents, John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. As an impromptu finale,
both presidents entertained the audience with historical questions and answers.
Our local candidates were well represented for a fantastic opportunity for a meet & greet. Even
Representative Dwayne Taylor and DWC club member/candidate Robert Mann showed up briefly, as they
made their way to Orlando for the FDP Delegate selections. President Danielle Neetz and her officers
presented an award to Mrs. Sam Buckman, who originated the Club and served as its first president.
The weather graced us with sunny skies, and the food, catered by Dustin Barbeque was delicious.
pps Christian Center held its Homeless Awareness Day Saturday the 16th. Pastor Tisdale and Council
woman Sherry Meyers welcomed everyone to enjoy a rousing church service, music, and a hot meal. We
helped people with the food, there was also a clothing giveaway. We registered a few voters, got more
petitions signed, and met lots of wonderful people. It was a great day!
10
Democratic Women’s Club of Highlands County held a successful fundraiser by presenting a
dramatic monologue about the life of Susan B. Anthony. Margaret Kahler (left) used her dramatic talent to
portray Susan and the conflicts she faces as she secured women’s right to vote. Elizabeth Roth (Right)
played appropriate music to enhance the experience. Following the presentation, the club had a tea for all
who attended.
ictured above are members
of the Highlands County Women’s Club who held a party to
celebrate Dem. Women’s
Month. April Freeman, a candidate for Republican, Tom
Rooney’s seat, discussed her
campaign (far right). The members enjoyed a birthday cake in
honor of this special month.
he Highlands County DWC honored Flag Day on June 14th by waving flags and signs in front of
Democratic Party Headquarters. Most people who drove by beeped their horns or waved in support
of this special day. One person stopped and gave us a small donation.
11
Article from the Legislative Chair
Are We Ever Off-Session?
By Milly Krause – DWCF Legislative Chair
It’s been a rather active off-season. The Supreme Court has issued decisions that have been pro-women and
pro-society. The most recent SCOTUS Decisions follow:
SCOTUS & Federal Judge Rulings 
June 27th SCOTUS Overturns HB2 – Fifth Circuit Court of Texas in Whole
Woman’s Health vs. Hellerstedt –citing undue Burden and medically
unnecessary as well as placing obstacles to abortion in a 5-3 Ruling. Justice Kennedy is the swing voter.

June 27th – SCOTUS Upholds Gun Ban for Domestic Violence Offenders in
6 – 2 Ruling.

June 30th – Florida HB 1411 –Termination of Pregnancies Judge Hinkle
issues a Preliminary Injunction. Three Key Points of HB 1411 were challenged in the Lawsuit Against the State of Florida. HB 1411 would have
become law on July 1, 2016. (Items 1 & 3 were ruled unconstitutional)
3 Key Elements Challenged 1.Defunding – It is a breach of contract and illegal to cut family planning providers out of Medicaid & Title X
Dollars -Hinkle relied on the "unconstitutional-conditions doctrine," which means that governments
cannot indirectly prohibit —- by withholding funds —- conduct which they cannot directly ban
2. Non-Medical Gestational Age – The gestational ages proposed in the new law are not medically practiced. Hinkle did not block this part of the law from going into effect, but he warned the state to "take note"
that his decision was based on the state's representation that the new definition of first trimester was
no different than that which has been used for decades. He will review again.
3. Annual Inspections/Reviewing 50% of Patient Records – A regulation only on Abortion Providers and
obstruction to one’s right to privacy. Hinkle noted that other medical providers —- including ambulatory
surgical centers, which perform more complicated procedures and have more adverse outcomes —- are
not subject to the same scrutiny.
Please note the following DWCF Dates and plan to attend:

The 2017 Legislative Session from March 7 to May 5, 2017.
Tally Days 2017 is from March 12 to March 14, 2017.

Women’s Equality Day – Each year on August 26th, we commemorate women’s vote officially becoming
part of the US constitution. This day marks a turning point in the history of the struggle for equal treatment of women and women’s rights. I encourage each of your clubs to hold a local rally or some type of
celebratory event to show the continued need for equality and activism. It is now 93 years since Alice Paul
introduced the original ERA to the U.S. Congress
What can you do to promote our DWCF Platform and move it forward?
With your clubs, work to create several targeted issues. Visit legislators and request legislators to sponsor
bills. Write Letters to the Editor and respond to others with Online Comments. Ask your local councils and
counties to pass Local Ordinances & Resolutions that relate to targeted DWCF Issues. Read and share emails.
Post information on Social Media. Take ACTION when asked by making phone Calls to Legislators and Others. Work to move bills out of committee that receive no action year after year.
As your DWCF Legislative Chair, I send out emails to both educate and inform members on current issues and
happenings. At times, these emails can be overwhelming but the information is often vital. Please read and
continue to share these emails with your clubs and act on them ASAP when action is requested. If you haven’t been receiving emails, please let me know.
Meanwhile, contact your legislators often and make your voices heard. The following are links to your
legislators’ websites and phone numbers to keep handy.
Senate - http://flsenate.gov/ House – http://myfloridahouse.gov/default.aspx
Governor Rick Scott – 850-488-7146 Senator Marco Rubio – 202-224-3041 Senator Bill Nelson – 202-224-527
12
Democratic Women’s Club of Alachua County 2nd quarter events: May meeting, candidate
forums, candidate fair, voter education and more!
L
-R Billie and Joan,
timekeepers at
forums on right and the
left , pictured center is
Dawn Burgess-Krop
LL, with friends.
T
raining and Forums
M
embers above supporting
two of our club members
who were recognized by
Gateway Girl Scout Council as
Women Who Make A Difference,
Evelynn Foxx and Florida
Bridgewater-Alfred shown to the
right.
R
egion 3 meeting with
Ken McGurn for CD 3 .
13
“Made in .. “
Beginning around 1600, this continent called North America experienced successive waves of immigrants
particularly from Europe; Africans were imported as slaves.
The Settlers generally established their own popularly elected governments and courts on as many levels as
they could and within a few years nearly all were self governing, self supporting and self replicating until the
American Revolution in 1775.
Shortly after the US Civil War, some states started to pass their own immigration laws, which prompted the US
Supreme Court to rule in 1875 that immigration was a federal responsibility. Later, immigration rules became
more restrictive, the ending of numerical restrictions occurred in 1965.
In 1790, the first cotton factory began forming these new business enterprises. From the textile industry, the
factory spread to other areas. In Pennsylvania, large furnaces and rolling mills supplanted small local forges and
blacksmiths. In Connecticut, tin ware and clocks were produced. These factories were financed by business
partnerships and by 1812, a new form of business enterprise became prominent, the corporation became the
central force in America’s economic growth.
The key legal and governmental support for economic development in the early 19 th century ultimately came at
the state, rather than the national level. When the national bank closed, state governments responded by
creating over 200 state chartered banks within five years. Indeed, this rapid expansion of credit and the banks’
unregulated activities helped to exacerbate an economic collapse in 1819 that resulted in a six year depression.
The mid 19th century was a period of transition towards industrialization, the Northeast which produced cotton
textiles and shoes; the West was primarily grain and pork and the South was based on plantation agriculture,
primarily cotton, tobacco and sugar produced by slave labor. The industrial advantages of the North over the
South helped secure a Northern victory in the American Civil War, when the slave labor system was abolished.
By the start of the 20th century, many US regulatory agencies were created involving the Federal Government in
the private sector. Companies created new management systems to carry out their operations on a large scale
to eliminate unnecessary steps and middlemen.
Manufacturing became well established but labor in the US was expensive and industry made every effort to
economize by using machinery.
America’s biggest companies search the world for the cheapest goods possible, and this usually means buying
from low wage factories overseas. This can eliminate good paying manufacturing jobs and lower labor
standards in the retail sector and throughout its entire supply chain. Smaller companies were pressured to shut
their US factories and moved manufacturing abroad to meet demand for low prices. This set the template for a
new American economy.
Many ask why “Made in America” is not as common as it once was.
It’s not because of immigrants. It’s because of innovation, technology, modernization and the lure of cheap
labor sources in other countries.
America was founded by immigrants and has flourished in part because of the ideas and ambitions they bring to
our great melting pot of a culture. Our history is filled with the innovations and accomplishments of immigrants
and so will our future.
By Suzan Vis
Chair DWCF Diversity Committee,
President DWC of Osceola
14
Information Source: Wikipedia Encyclopedia
irst Organizational Meeting of the Democratic Women’s Club of
Marion County on June 4, 2016 in Ocala.
eceiving charter at State Quarterly Board Meeting in July.
emocratic Women's Club of West Orange 1st Organizational Meeting.
June 25, 2016.
hartered at the
July Quarterly
Meeting
15
emocratic Women’s Month
Celebrations
harlotte May
Meeting
S
arasota May Meeting
M
D
ay "Celebration of Women" by DWC East Polk Ridge.
emocratic
Women’s Club
East Polk Ridge April
meeting. President
McKenna joined us as
we welcomed Senator
Darren Soto as our
guest speaker.
ictory! DWCF members successfully organized DWCF
archive materials at the DWCF Archives at the University
of Central Florida Library. In photo is Ingrid Montgomery and
Phillip Miner from DWIN in Duval County, DWCF President Maureen McKenna, DWCF Archivist, Cora Lumpkin joined by two
UCF Archivists. For more information about the DWCF Archives please go to DWCF.ORG.
16
Democratic Women’s Club of the Villages
We had a wonderful time at Manatee Recreation Center and had almost 40 in attendance.
We were honored to have as special guests Dave Koller, our esteemed nominee for District 11 U.S.
Congress, Barbara Grimm, Region IV Chairman of Democratic Women's Club of Florida, and Cheryl Olin, our
District 11 delegate for the National Convention.
Our tea would have not been the outstanding event that it was without all of those of you who helped.
Thanks to Paula, Jenise, Lois, Liz, Cheryl, Chris, Mary Jean, Mary, Bonnie and Ruth. Your yummy offerings
were spectacular.
Also, over this holiday weekend...we still managed to welcome 5 newcomers to our event. We have avid
Democratic Villagers who are eager to meet other Democrats.
During our "She-Ro" presentations - reflections on the following were shared: Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosalind
Carter, Sandra Day O'Connor, Barbara Jordan and Elizabeth Warren. Three of these note-worthy women our
his was a fabulous program the Democratic
Women's Club of the Villages chaired and hosted Grace Nelson, wife of US Senator, D-Fl, at the
Villages Democratic Club meeting, where she
shared stories of her and Bill's activism and community service to Florida and the United States.
She also shared their relationship with Hillary and
Bill Clinton. She spoke for two hours and answered all our questions. Then she joined us for
lunch and graciously circulated among all our
members, answering questions individually.
Guests included: Grace Nelson, Sumter County
Clerk, Karen Krauss, Lisa Marshall, Deputy Director
for US Senator Bill Nelson, Board member, Carole
Del Monte, Vice-president, Villages Democratic Club, Chris Stanley, Villages Democratic Club President, Lyn Margolis, new president of Marion DWC, Diane Schreier and Region IV Chair, Barbara
Grimm, DWCV president, Shelly Newman and husband daughter, Joel and Casey, 1st VP, Francine
Shebell, 2nd VP, Betty Cocchini, Treasurer, Sam Eichenbaum, Secretary, Gerry Van Luven, hostess,
Beverly Eckert, and State Democratic Committeeman, Joe Flynn, among the crowd.
nd Quarter Board
Meeting w/tribute
from the
Orlando
Gay Choir
for the victims of the
Orlando
Massacre
17
Democratic Women’s Information Network
On May 7, 20016, over 500 registered Democrats participated in the Democratic Party Delegate
Election process. It was the largest
turnout in
recent history for a Delegate Election in Duval County. The Fire Fighters
Local 122 provided hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings for voters
and supporters. Several DWIN members were candidates: Ingrid Montgomery, Velma Rounsville, Hazel Gillis, Evangeline Watson, Toni Alfred, Lisa
King, Marcelle Bessman, Sharon Sweet and Luella McQueen to name a few.
-R: Tracie N.
Davis, Dr. Evie
Welch and 1st VP,
Edna Nalls
bove, Hazel Gillis (far right) with
Black Caucus VP Louis Allen &
fiancée, Loretta and Congresswoman
Corrine Brown, seated
M
embers:
left-side of
table, Marcelle
Bessman, Arlene
Faracchio; right side,
seated, Velma
Rounsville (2nd VP),
Annette Boddie
ight- Luella McQueen, Board
Member, By-Laws Chair
(Political Liaison) and
Evangeline Watson
(Chaplin)
Democratic Women Club of Flagler County
In keeping with the DWC of Florida economic Platform Section V : The Economy
The Flagler County Democratic Women Club reached out to non-profit organizations assisting with donations of fresh Vegetables on Saturday May 14th and Friday May 27th, 2016. The vegetables are part
of a Gleaning project sponsored by The Society of Saint Andrew - N.E. Florida .
E-mail: northeastfl@endhunger.org www.EndHunger.org. Donations made to Church Ministries who prepare hot meals for homeless Families (2 days a week.) Women Shelter in Bunnell that Shelter 30 Women
& Children.
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Democratic Women’s Club of Manatee County
In Manatee County, April began with the annual DEC Fundraiser Dinner at Polo Grill in Lakewood
Ranch. Over 300 Democrats attended the event at which our DWC had two tables.
D
WC President Mary Duda, Regional Rep. Mary Bass
and 1st VP Patty Benson were surprised and happy
that Democratic candidate for Congress Charlie Crist
stopped by our table to say hello.
As a follow up to our March Fundraiser luncheon, our
DWC had our annual Scholarship Luncheon in April
where three county high school seniors were each
awarded a $1,000 to use at the college of her
choice. Our luncheon speaker was Diana Green, our
well liked County Superintendent of Schools. Dr.
Green told us what changes to expect in the 20162017 school year. Then she awarded the three bright
young Democrats with their scholarships.
D
r. Green with students (from left) Victoria Wittner of
Lakewood Ranch High School, AnD’rea Mathis of Southeast High and Allegra Smart of Manatee High.
For our May DWC meeting we meet with all the other Democratic clubs and caucuses of Manatee County at the Seafood
Shack in Cortez Village. Approximately 150 Democrats listened to speaker Rob Lorei of public television’s “This Week
in Florida “ give us his take on the upcoming election. This
was the 2nd Annual All Dems luncheon.
On June 11 Mary Duda, Mary Bass and Patty Benson traveled
to Region VIII’s Highlands DWC office in Sebring for a meeting of the Planning Committee for the 2017 DWCF Convention for which Mary Duda is the Chair. Each committee leader gave a report on how her plans were coming along and
the input from each other was very helpful. We now have the name and artwork for the 2017 convention and will
decide on speakers, workshops and meals after the September 2016 Convention.
June 11 planners from DWCF Regions VII &VIII which are hosts for the 2017 Convention.
F
rom the left, front row: Angie Pfister , Collier
DWC; Patti Duffy, Lee DWC; Patty Benson, Manatee
DWD; Pat Henderson Beverly Nolton, Highlands
DWC. Second row: Cora Lumpkin, Highlands DWC;
Judy Schnabel, Charlotte DWC; Olivia Babis, Sarasota
DWC; Mary Duda, Manatee DWC; Betty Gissendanner,
Charlotte DWC; Susie Johnson, Highlands DWC; Elaine
Vaccaro, Collier DWC; and Carolyn Helms, Lee DWC.
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aisy Black (Tribute by Daniel Sohn)
I was asked to give the tribute to my late but dear friend Mayor Daisy Black at the DWCF Region 9 meeting
held in Palm Beach County. I called Daisy "My Mayor". We often roomed and took road trips together on
DWCF trips with Linda Gallun! I'm so glad this crowd came to honor her memory. We will miss her. Thank you
President Dr. Maureen McKenna and First VP Patricia Farley for coming down to honor her legacy with us.
3rd Quarter Newsletter Submission Request:
We plan to have the 3rd Q Newsletter out by the end of October-To help facilitate this please do your best to:
1. Submit your information from your club July 15- October 15th activities, no sooner than October 1st and no
later than October 15th.
2. Please put county or subject (other than ‘newsletter’) and email directly to saseddie@bellsouth.net.
i.e. Alachua Co. DWC NL.
3. Attach 3-5 pictures, and please label pictures when you download by saving with name, i.e. Alachua May
Meeting, rather than attaching image with a random number. Without being labeled properly and I download into
the DWCF file, it is hard to match up what picture goes to what county if they all have numbers. And please provide suggested caption, in the text in your email.
4. Articles should be 175-200 words, in body of email, or attached in a word doc.
Do not format, send as large text, or send pdfs, or your clubs completed newsletter. This is highlights from clubs
to share with other clubs.
Respectfully, Sheryl Eddie, Newsletter Manager, President of DWC Alachua Co. and Website Manager
(grandma, candidate for office etc.) Just trying to make this as efficient for everyone as possible.
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