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PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
With warmest regards,
dear LWVPBC members | | | I am honored to introduce myself as the new president of the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County. Having been a dedicated member since last year, I am deeply committed to our mission and to the strategic path we'll forge together.
First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for entrusting me with this important leadership role. Our focus for the next two years will be on strengthening voter education, expanding membership diversity and developing targeted partnerships across our community. Our unwavering nonpartisanship remains our greatest strength, welcoming diverse perspectives because democracy works best when all voices are represented.
Together, with our exceptional team, we aim to bring more members from the business community into our organization, and enhance our outreach and impact. We will address everything from communication enhancements to leadership development and innovative fundraising strategies. Together, through collaboration and determination, we will continue fulfilling our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy here in Palm Beach County.
We will soon be distributing a member survey. Your feedback is invaluable and will help guide our future initiatives and improvements. Please encourage your friends to get involved if they have any interest in joining.
Lastly, I extend heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who give their time and energy to support our organization. Your dedication and enthusiasm are crucial to our growth and success.
— Amy Kemp‚ President
| Kathi Gundlach, president for four years, passes the gavel to new president Amy Kemp, who was elected at the LWVPBC annual meeting April 16. First vice president is Joyce Sullivan, second vice president is Reisha Allen, secretary is Linda Prior and treasurer is Missy Gannon. New directors are Lori Geiger, Janet Elinoff, Liz Shapiro and Kate Renchin. Continuing directors are Cassondra Corbin-Thaddies, Patty Whitehill and Marge Holtz. Sullivan's and Geiger's terms, as well as the continuing directors' terms, last through 2026, while the rest last through 2027. | BERMAN BECOMES TOP FLORIDA SENATE DEM | | District 26 State Sen. Lori Berman, a member of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, is the new minority leader in the Florida Senate. She was elected quickly last week after former minority leader Jason Pizzo — in the waning days of the Legislative Session — abruptly announced he was changing his voter registration from Democrat to “no party affiliation.” Berman is a member of the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County.
| | | 'TASTE' HELPS NEW LEAGUERS 'ZOOM' INTO ACTION | It takes a village for a successful Taste of the League orientation, held online April 26, and the Membership Committee extends its appreciation to our “village,” including:
- Our new president, Amy Kemp, who explained our non-partisan stance.
- Issue group leaders: Nancy Gau, healthcare; Marcy Brody, gun safety; Margery Keller, education; Kate Renchin, Voting Rights Coalition; Dan Lishansky, National Popular Vote; Kitty Clayman, voter services; Rich Bartholomew, advocacy; and Janet Elinoff, speakers’ bureau.
- Special topics speakers: Kathi Gundlach, how the Department of Education closing affects the League’s work; and Dan Lishansky, how to use the League website.
- A shout out for behind-the-scenes support from Linda Kramer, administrative assistant.
- And finally, to new and newer members eager to learn about the work the League does every day, thank you.
— Donna Colabella, Membership Chair
| A WARM-HEARTED WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS | Their contact information is available in the Member Directory at LWVPBC.org.
Laurie Bendell (Boca Raton), Kathryn McClain (Tequesta), Teresa Kasey-McClendon (Boynton Beach), Terri Schmitt (Boynton Beach), Robert Sheff (West Palm Beach), Marcy Turpin (Jupiter), Maria Domingue (Jupiter), Linsey Bruse-Lefkowitz (Palm Beach Gardens), Elizabeth Harrigan (Lake Worth), Carol Boggs (Boynton Beach), Marianne Lentini (Boynton Beach), Andrea Tomasek (Boynton Beach), Deborah Kashdan (Boynton Beach), Ellen Kintz (Delray Beach), Lynn Heck (Palm Beach Gardens), Leslie Barron (West Palm Beach), Bonnie Douglas (Boynton Beach), Craig Goldenfarb (Palm Beach Gardens), Gail Conforti (West Palm Beach), Viviana Falco (Royal Palm Beach), Beverlee Raymond (West Palm Beach), Lynn Levy (West Palm Beach), Linda Trifon (Lake Worth), and Michele Buonaiuto (Boynton Beach).
— Linda Sorenson, Membership
| YOU'RE NOT BROKEN, RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE | Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been a driving force in addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions.
A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others. If you have — or think you might have — a mental illness, the first thing you must know is that you are not alone. Mental health conditions are far more common than you think, mainly because people don’t like to, or are scared to, talk about them.
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 percent by age 24
A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too.
None of this means that you’re broken or that you, or your family, did something “wrong.” Mental illness is no one’s fault. And for many people, recovery — including meaningful roles in social life, school and work — is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process.
For more information, help or support, go to NAMI Palm Beach County at NAMIPBC.org.
The information above came from the National Alliance on Mental Illness website, courtesy of healthcare team member Marilyn Ricci.
| Healthcare team aims to build relationships
with organizations that focus on needs of the aging
| Healthcare team member Barbara Raskin recently spoke with Kelly Wilson, a longtime advocate in Tallahassee for the rights of the elderly. Wilson is currently working with Partnership for Aging and the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc. What unites the varied membership is a common mission, vision and purpose regarding older persons in Palm Beach County.
If you’re interested in being a part of this initiative or already have a relationship with either Partnership for Aging or the Area Agency on Aging, please reach out to Nancy Gau, healthcare team chair. Reach her at (561) 358-9191 or JessieStar2@icloud.com. We hope to connect the League with Kelly and these agencies to work toward our shared goals.
— Lori Geiger, Healthcare
| UPCOMING EVENTS
Click on the flyer to see the event
| EARTH DAY AT PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE | Pamela Maldonado, Paula McLease and Bob Hudson at the League's
table — offering Voter Registration help and collecting petition signatures
for proposed Florida constitutional amendments — at Palm Beach
State College on April 17 for the PBSC Earth Day event. | DID YOU KNOW? MAY DAY IS LAW DAY IN THE U.S.
| In 1889 an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1 as a day in support of workers, in commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago. The day is officially recognized in much of the world, but not the United States. In 1958, President Eisenhower declared May 1 Law Day. Law Day recognizes and celebrates the rule of law and its importance in society. It is a national day of observance, to promote public understanding of the law and its role in protecting liberty and justice. The American Bar Association plays a key role in promoting Law Day. Learn more from:
| NEWS FROM FLORIDA, NATIONAL LEAGUES
| 'TERRIFYING, UNACCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS'
League responds to Milwaukee County Circuit Judge's arrest.
| LEAGUE, OTHERS SUE TRUMP OVER ORDER
Federal court blocks part of president's anti-voter executive order.
| 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'
Leagues urges legislative action after FSU campus shooting.
| UNITE AND RISE
League declares United States in a ‘Constitutional Crisis,’
announces new initiative to mobilize voters.
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