Florida NOW Pre-Conference Legislative Panel
2020-12-11 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York)
Join Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Rep. Anna Eskamani, Senator Loranne Ausley, Rep. Angie Nixon and Rep. Dottie Joseph for a dynamic legislative panel and help prepare for the 2021 legislative session ahead.

Join FL NOW for an ONLINE Women's Equality Day Press Conference & Speak Out
2020-08-26 10:30 - 11:30 | Online
JOIN US Wed. August 26th at 10:30 am on Zoom or FB Live
Florida NOW endorsed candidates, especially women of color, had a landslide victory in the primary this year. Support seven of our FL NOW endorsed candidates as they speak out on equality!!
Join us Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 at 10:30 am, Florida National Organization for Women in conjunction with Florida NOW endorsed candidates across the state will hold an online press conference and speak out to celebrate Women’s Equality Day and urge women, people oppressed and marginalized because of their gender, gender identity, and/or gender expression, and our allies to get celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the 19th Amendment this year by registering to vote by mail and voting for equality this November.
Although women achieved the right to vote in 1920, Women’s Equality Day wasn’t celebrated until 1971 after Congress passed a resolution to mark the occasion annually. In 2020, a 100 years after the passage of the 19th Amendment, women, gender non-conforming people, and non-binary people in the United States still do not have equal rights under the law and lag significantly behind in representation. In 2020, 127 women (26 in the Senate and 101 in the House of Representatives) hold seats in the US Congress. In 2020, women comprise only 23.7% of the 535 members of Congress and transgender, gender non-conforming or non-binary people have zero representation.
The Florida Legislature is also a bastion of male patriarchy and representation. In 2020, 48 of Florida’s 160 legislators are women and transgender, gender non-conforming or non-binary people have zero representation in the Florida Legislature.
Florida NOW is fighting to change that this year.
Join us online as Florida NOW endorsed candidates across the state speak out about equality and policy measures they are ready to fight for to end discrimination against women and other oppressed genders and increase women’s and oppressed gender representation in government. Women and people oppressed on the basis of gender and gender identity deserve equality and together we will continue to speak up and VOTE until equality is achieved.
WHO: Florida National Organization for Women and Florida NOW Endorsed Candidates:
Rep Loranne Ausley (FL Senate District 3)
Rep. Fentrice Driskell (FL House District 63)
Tracey Kagan (FL House District 29)
Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava (Mayor Miami-Dade)
Rep. Dotie Joseph (FL House District 108)
Patricia Signman (FL Senate District 9)
Rep. Javier Fernández (FL House District 114)
WHAT: Women’s Equality Day Press Conference and Speak Out
WHEN: Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 – 10:30 AM EST
WHERE: Register in advance to obtain the Zoom link for the meeting by clicking the link below.
After registering a confirmation email containing information about joining the email will be sent to you.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsfuuvqz4iE9C8G0R3SVhpY2emMqI25scQ
FB EVENT(S): https://www.facebook.com/events/599245684289020

Florida NOW Council Meeting
2020-08-23 13:00 - 14:00
Join Florida NOW President Kim Porteous online for a statewide FL NOW Council MeetingTime: Aug 23, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time This will be a ZOOM meeting. Please contact us for link information to the online meeting.
Email your requests to join to communications@flnow.org
Bear Atwood will serve as Parliamentarian for this Council meeting. She will be sending out an agenda in advance.

Women in Criminal Justice with FL NOW & Miami NOW
2020-07-17 12:30 - 13:30 | Online
Topic: Women in Criminal Justice with FL NOW & Miami NOW
Time: Jul 17, 2020 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87822069970?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 878 2206 9970

Consciousness Raising: Dismantling White Feminism within NOW
2020-06-30 18:00 - 19:30
Hosted by our friends of Mass NOW.
Join us on Tuesday, June 30th 6:00 – 8:00PM for a consciousness raising on dismantling white feminism, starting in the National Organization for Women!
In honor of Mass NOW’s 50th anniversary we are going back to our roots by hosting intimate consciousness raising discussions in living rooms across the Commonwealth – and now on Zoom! Over snacks and wine, we strengthen our personal narratives and educate our communities about our priority issue areas. No expertise necessary!
This upcoming consciousness raising event is about dismantling white feminism. “White feminism is the label given to feminist efforts and actions that uplift white women but that exclude or otherwise fail to address issues faced by minority groups, especially women of color and LGBTQ women.” According to Dictionary.com.
Just like we ask our members to hold their elected officials, workplaces and institutions accountable, we have to model what that looks like in our own organization too. Read our recent statement on what this look likes for Mass NOW on our website and reading these resources from SURJ to inspire our conversations.
Visit the Mass NOW Facebook event page for additional information: https://www.facebook.com/events/303356514041212/

NOW Meetup: LQBTQ_ Awareness Recognizing PRIDE Month
2020-06-29 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for this online event!
Hosted by:

Mass NOW

California National Organization for Women

Florida National Organization for Women

NOW Georgia
Visit the Facebook event page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/2614074335477643/

Women's March 2020 - Orlando
2020-01-19 12:00 - 15:30 | Downtown Orlando, 400 S. Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL, 32801, United States
Bring your Best Signs and your Best Friends!
The National Organization of Women+ Orange County Chapter invites you march with us on Sunday January 19th, 2020 in support of Impeachment, The Equal Rights Amendment, the LGBTQ community, Racial Equality, Immigrants Rights, The Fight for $15, the Disability Community, and Abortion Rights.
https://actionnetwork.org/events/rising-2020-women-allies-march-orlando/
https://www.facebook.com/NOWplusOrangeCountyFlorida/
If you’re ready to join millions of women and allies on the streets, sign up to join our sister action on January 19, 2020 in Orlando.
While thousands march and put their bodies on the line in D.C., we need millions of people to rise up together in cities and towns across the country on January 18th and 19th to show that our resistance against Trump is strong in every corner of the country.
Speakers scheduled to attend include, Taylor Aguilera, President, Polk County Young Dems, Tamika Lyles for State Representative, District 43, Brandon Wolf, Pulse Survivor, and many more!

Unveiling of Mabel Norris Reese Bust
2020-01-12 15:00 - 17:00
Unveiling of Mabel Norris Reese Bust
Sculpted by Jim McNalis
Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 3 pm
Mount Dora Community Bldg.
520 N Baker St, Mt Dora, FL 32757

Mabel Norris Reese was a local Lake County/ Mount Dora journalist in the 1950’s who exposed the horrible behavior of the former Lake County Sheriff Willis McCall and associated deputies in the the cases of the Groveland Four and other Lake County citizens. This behavior included false charges, beatings, and the death of persons in Lake County primarily focused on the poor and persons of color.
Two books about this era and a perspective of the challenges faced by Mabel Norris Reese are ‘Devil in the Grove’ and ‘Under the Ruthless Sun’ written by Gilbert King. King received the Pulitzer Prize for ‘Devil in the Grove’.
Kim Porteous, President of FL NOW, will be in attendance.

Florida NOW Lobby House in Tallahassee!
2020-01-12 08:00 - 2020-02-13 17:00
We are making lobbying a priority in 2020! The Florida National Organization for Women has rented a house in Tallahassee from January 12 to February 13 to help support and educate our folks at the state capital on bills that threaten or are aligned with our NOW core issues!

This effort will help us empower our members to attend critical Legislative Committee meetings, and provide support in talking to lawmakers. We will also be able to support our collaborative partners and attend important press conferences.
Are you interested in being part of the FL NOW Legislative House? We’re taking reservations now for individuals and groups to come and be part of this exciting opportunity! Please contact Kim Porteous directly to reserve your space now at president@flnow.org. Space is limited and spots are reserved on a first come, first served basis. As part of this initiative, FL NOW will help make legislative appointments, schedule attendance at critical committee meetings and press conferences, and provide talking points so you can advocate for NOW issues. This is your chance to engage in direct, meaningful action at our state capital.
Stay tuned for information about live-stream conversations and trainings to coordinate grassroots action in Tallahassee!
Contact Kim at president@flnow.org or Melina at legislative@flnow.org for more information.

Florida NOW ERA Equality Day of Action
2019-08-26 09:00 - 14:00
Mark your calendars! FL NOW will be holding press conferences on Women’s Equality Day, Monday, August 26th, outside of the local offices of:
House Speaker Jose R. Oliva (R) – Hialeah, FL
Rep. Bob Rommel (R) – Naples, FL
Senator President Bill Galvano (R) – Bradenton, FL
Senator David Simmons (R) – Longwood, FL
The Florida Capital – Tallahassee, FL
The ERA has the support of the Democrats in Florida, and we are working to gain the support of Republicans and all women. We know the ERA is not a partisan issue; it did not get this far with just one party supporting it. The ERA will need support from both parties to get it across the 38th finish line!
This will be part of a coordinated effort to support putting women on the agenda and Ratifying the ERA! We have leaders lining up to support this effort. We will need your support, your postcard stamps, your presences, and your enthusiasm to enroll others into this cause.
Learn more about what you can do now to get involved in this important action!
Facebook Events:
Collier NOW ERA Women’s Equality Day Action – https://www.facebook.com/events/2392421650852799/
Women’s Equality Day, Tampa Bay/Bradenton ERA Action – https://www.facebook.com/events/2598687113691790/
Miami NOW’s ERA Action – https://www.facebook.com/events/612708169238934/
Orange County NOW’s ERA Action in Longwood – https://www.facebook.com/events/677521099381099/

Women's Equality Day: A Legislative Town Hall
2019-08-25 16:00 - 17:30 | IBEW Union Hall, 820 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL, 32803, United States
August 26th marks Women’s Equality Day, and this year will be the 99th anniversary of women in America obtaining the right to vote. It’s our responsibility as lawmakers to mark this important moment in our nation’s history and elevate the need to pass policies that support women, girls, and other marginalized members of our community.
We have a lot of work to do in Florida. From passing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), to ensuring access to reproductive health, to paid family leave, to equal pay, to public safety, and a less regressive tax structure — we want to talk about it all, while emphasizing the necessary steps it will take to pass the ERA during the 2020 legislative session.
Registration has now closed and space is limited, but we will Facebook Live this conversation, too.
WHAT: Women’s Equality Day: A Legislative Town Hall Hosted by Office of Representative Anna V. Eskamani
WHEN: Sunday, August 25th
TIME: 4:00-5:30pm
WHERE: IBEW Union Hall (820 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL 32803)
DEADLINE: Please RSVP by August 22nd at 5:00pm
RSVP LINK: CLOSED.
CONFIRMED LAWMAKERS ATTENDING:
Representative Joy Goff-Marcil (HD30)
Representative Geraldine Thompson (HD44)
Representative Kamia Brown (HD45)
Representative Anna V. Eskamani (HD47)
Representative Amy Mercado (HD48)
EVENT CO-HOSTS
League of Women Voters of Florida
Florida NOW
Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/2875577769179093/

Equal Means Equal Film Showing
2019-08-21 11:00 - 12:30
Event for Citrus County NOW (National Organization for Women)

Hosted by Linda Varonich

Central Ridge Library
425 W. Roosevelt Blvd.
Beverly Hills, Florida 34465
August 20, 2019 from 3:30-5:00 pm and August 21 11:00-12:30 pm

Equal Means Equal Film Showing
2019-08-20 15:30 - 17:00 | Central Ridge Library, 425 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly Hills, FL, United States

2019 NOW Conference
2019-07-19 08:00 - 2019-07-21 17:00
Conference Dates: July 19, 2019, at 9 a.m. through July 21, 2019, at 3 p.m.
Location: Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America, 3800 American Blvd. E, Bloomington, Minnesota, 55425

2019 FLNOW State Conference
2019-04-26 - 2019-04-28 | The Florida Hotel & Conference Center, 1500 Sand Lake Road, FL, 32809, United States
NOW Forward Feminism

The Florida NOW State Conference is scheduled for April 26-28 at the Florida Hotel and Conference center in Orlando. The hotel has provided this unique link for NOW members to receive the special rate of $119 for a double room including free reserved parking, free Wi-Fi, waived $19 resort fee, 2 bottles of water daily, 24-hour access to Business and Fitness centers. The hotel is adjacent to the Florida Mall and is very convenient for inexpensive meals as well as a Starbucks directly off the hotel lobby.
N.O.W. – Fl Chapter
Or call reservations at 800-588-4656 and indicate you are attending the NOW conference.
Please make your hotel reservations as soon as possible! This hotel can be very popular and will sell out. We can guarantee the rate but only as long as they have rooms available.
We are also asking for workshop ideas. If you would like to present a workshop, please send a short description of your workshop as well as a short bio/your credentials for presenting to Doris Rosen at dorisrosen@hotmail.com. We have a limited number of workshop slots available and your idea will be evaluated by the conference committee for relevancy and to ensure it fits the agenda. We already have some interesting workshops started – it’s going to be a great conference.
Stay tuned for more details and the Registration link.
Regards,
Terry Sanders
President

FLNOW State Council Meeting
2019-01-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
State Council meeting on Saturday, January 26th at 2:00 pm. This is an online meeting.
Look for details to arrive via email to chapter leaders.

State Council and ERA Organizational Meeting
2018-11-11 10:00 - 14:00 | The Florida Hotel & Conference Center, 1500 Sand Lake Road, FL, 32809, United States
Please join Florida NOW at our State Council meeting in Orlando on November 11. We are encouraging ALL MEMBERS to attend – Florida NOW is YOUR organization and it’s important for our members to steer the important work we do. The meeting will move briskly through business topics, provide lunch, hear from local organizers and will be followed by a public meeting to organize for the ERA. We will try to make it fun and informative.
Details:
Florida NOW State Council meeting
Sunday, November 11, 2018
From 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: The Florida Hotel & Conference Center
1500 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, Florida 32809

Rally for Amendment 4
2018-10-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Historical Society of Palm Beach County, 300 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, Florida
Come show your support for 1.4 million Floridians denied the right to vote!
Rally Sunday October 21, 2:00 to 4:00
Historical Society of Palm Beach County
300 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach
Entertainment: PinkSlip Duo
Sponsors: ACLU, League of Women Voters, National Council of Jewish Women and PBC NOW
Amendment 4 would automatically restore voting right of felons after they’ve completed their sentences, except for those convicted of murder or sex offenses.

NOW Presents: Live Tribute To Campaign Reform Activist, Granny D
2018-10-14 14:00 - 16:00 | NOW Event Location, 1901 E Robinson St., Orlando, FL, 32803, United States
Go, Granny D: “You’re Never too old to Raise a little Hell—”
Never underestimate grannies. At age 90 Doris “Granny D” Haddock blazed a 3200-mile trail across America for campaign finance reform, precipitating the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act. She continued her bipartisan reform efforts in countrywide voter registration drives, issuing her final challenge in 2010 at age 100: “Democracy is a running game. You huddle and you go back in. You keep going.”
Off-Broadway actress Barbara Bates Smith with accompanying musician, Jeff Sebens, highlight the story of this crusader whose steel determination took the world by surprise and elevated her to national fame. Smith summons the granny with the straw hat proclaiming across the U.S. “Corporations are not people! Democracy is!”
There will be lite refreshments, a fun silent auction. The event is free and donations are accepted.

What is the distinction between Sex and Gender? What are the issues impacting this distinction?
2018-09-22 11:00 - 12:30 | Delray Beach Public Library, 100 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, United States
When: Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 11-12:30

Where: Delray Beach Public Library (downtown at 100 West Atlantic Ave by SW 2nd Avenues)

NOWPBC, the faculty and graduate students from FAU Center Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and LBGTQIA members of the Compass Community Center invite you to our program, What is the distinction between Sex and Gender? What are the issues impacting this distinction?

In recent years this fundamental aspect of our humanness has and continues to emerge for definition, well-being, equality and respect. A knowledgeable panel will discuss in-depth what differentiates a person’s sex (the anatomy of the reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics) from a person’s gender (the cultural roles and identities constructed by oneself and society). It will address the basic biology and complex societal factors that are involved in understanding and inclusion.

Sheila Jaffe and Jennifer Cunha, Co-Presidents
Palm Beach County National Organization for Women
(888) 394-0004
https://nowpbc.org/
Facebook: National Organization for Women – NOW Palm Beach County

State Council Meeting (Teleconference)
2018-08-19 10:00 - 12:00
Our next State Council meeting will be a teleconference at 10:00 AM on Sunday, August 19. Every chapter should try to have a representative on the call.
We will be reviewing and voting on Florida NOW’s support for the amendments on the ballot in November.

Jacksonville Area NOW: March for Our Lives-Road to Change
2018-07-27 11:00 - 15:00
Jacksonville Area NOW is participating in the March for Our Lives-Road to Change event here in Jacksonville on Friday. The event will take place at the Jacksonville Landing and will be from 11:00 until 3:00. The event promotes common sense gun legislation and is led by the young people who have become activists after the Parkland shooting. Join us at our table on Friday. RSVP your attendance to jaxnow@comcast.net. Hope to see you there!

Families Belong Together (March For Stolen Children)
2018-06-14 17:00 - 20:00 | the intersection of Southern Blvd and S Flagler Dr, 55 Southern Ave., Palm Beach, FL, United States
Families Belong Together (March For Stolen Children), Palm Beach June 14, 5:00 – 8:00
Public · Hosted by National Organization for Women – NOW Palm Beach County and 3 others

Join Us while cities across the country march simultaneously, this June 14th, Flag-Day, in a protest against the horrendous policies of this administration. We will meet and assemble at the rally-point, on the North-Eastern side of the intersection of Southern Blvd and S Flagler Dr, along the sea-wall. Then we will head across the new bridge, occupying the North sidewalk, straight to Mar-a-Lago in protest. We will do this to send a message loud and clear, that these dastardly and cold-hearted policies will not be tolerated, and we will demand change.

Families Belong Together opposes the cruel, inhumane and unjustified separation of children from their parents along the U.S. border with Mexico and at other ports of entry into the U.S. We protest the conditions in which these children are kept. We protest the irreversible trauma that has already been perpetrated on these children and their parents for the crime of seeking a better life.

To separate immigrant families, victims of violence, hunger and poverty, is to re-violate them. Children as young as 18 months are torn from their mother’s arms by the U.S. government. This is violent abuse. These families are victimized again by the government to which they turn for help. March for the Stolen Children opposes the inhumane policies of the Trump Administration, Border Control, and I.C.E. and calls for immediate reform.March For The Stolen Children opposes the cruel, inhumane and illegal separation of children from their parents along our U.S. border with Mexico and at other ports of entry into the United States. We protest the horrific and vile conditions in which these children are kept. We protest the irreversible trauma that has already been perpetrated on these children and their parents for the crime of seeking a better life.

Together, let’s take a stand.

Thanks,
Arlene R Ustin on behalf of Sheila Jaffe and Jennifer Cunha, Co-Presidents, Palm Beach County National Organization for Women
(888) 394-0004
https://nowpbc.org/
Facebook: National Organization for Women – NOW Palm Beach County

FLNOW State Conference - Tampa
2018-06-01 17:00 - 2018-06-03 17:00 | Westshore Marriott, 1001 N. Westshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL, United States
Woman Up! The Time for Action is NOW!
Florida NOW State Conference
June 1-3, 2018

Westshore Marriott
Tampa, Florida
Keynote Speaker: Anna Rodriquez, Founder and Executive Director of the Florida Coalition against Human Trafficking

Anti-Abortion Fake Clinic Protest
2018-06-01 15:00 - 17:00 | TBD
Let’s hold fake clinics accountable!
We support reproductive rights and freedom!
We reject shame and stigma!
Help us expose the truth behind deceitful fake women’s health centers (they like to call themselves “crisis pregnancy centers”) at this press conference and protest.
This is a pre-event to the Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) Conference which commences at the Westshore Marriott a few miles away at 6pm. The general public is more than welcome at this 3:00pm visibility event.
YOU WILL RECEIVE INFORMATION ON WHICH FAKE CLINIC IS THE LOCATION FOR THIS EVENT CLOSER TO THE DATE. YOU MUST SIGN-UP TO ATTEND THE EVENT TO GET LOCATION INFORMATION. SIGN-UP HERE:
http://act.progressflorida.org/signup/now-expose-fakeclinics/
These fake clinics exist to talk pregnant people out of having abortions through shame and misinformation. Often they represent themselves as legitimate, comprehensive, reproductive health care clinics in their efforts to lure women in the door, but in fact offer no access to contraception or abortion care.
Join us for this afternoon of ACTION!

Pasco County NOW Monthly Meeting
2018-05-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Regency Park Branch Library, 9701 Little Rd, New Port Richey, FL, 34654, United States

West Pinellas NOW meeting
2018-05-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Jason’s Deli, Cypress Point Plaza, 25801 US 19 N., Clearwater, FL, United States
The focus of our May meeting will be the 2018 FLORIDA NOW CONFERENCE in June. The Conference is being held in Tampa this year from June 1 – June 3. This year’s theme is:

WOMAN UP!
THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW!

Toni Van Pelt, President-National NOW will be at the Florida NOW conference and will be giving us an update on what’s going on at National.

"Ending the Criminalization of Trauma” -Palm Beach County NOW
2018-05-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Delray Beach Public Library, 100 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL, United States
We think it is crucial for the public to understand the legal and actual situation women suffer when incarceration is the only option imposed on them. Despite their history of abuse and their basic needs for dignity, treatment, and guidance they find themselves on a pipeline to imprisonment. We also know that trauma affects youngsters and can render them vulnerable and at risk. Women and girls are affected by sexual violence at an alarmingly high rate in the U.S. Until very recently men in power have not been held accountable for their actions while millions are forced to suffer in silence as this violence has been ignored on a cultural and institutional level. It remains to be seen how extensive the #MeToo and #EnoughIsEnough momentum will be to reach across the class, race, gender, and economic divides.

We have assembled an extraordinary panel to speak to the legal and social dimensions of this topic. PBC Public Defender Carey Haughwout, Broward County Assistant Public Defender Gabe Ermine, Florida Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Danielle Dudai (who focuses on sex trafficking cases), West Palm Beach Mental Health Community Outreach Director Pam Frazier, Children Services Council Program Specialist Debbie Manigat, and lifelong activist and feminist for human and civil rights Les Rivkin.

Susan B. Anthony Awards Luncheon
2018-03-18 12:00 - 15:00 | Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvd., Boca Raton, FL, 33487, United States
*Membership dues covers only a fraction of the costs of our efforts, therefore, this annual luncheon is our only fundraiser.*
Ticket Prices
$52 per member
$67 for non-members or $87 (includes luncheon and one year membership)
$500 for Group Table of 10
Note: Tickets will NOT be mailed * Will-call at the door
Checks payable to
PBC NOW
PO Box 7322
Delray Beach, FL 33482
Note: If paying by check, please include names & organization and send before March 1, 2018
Alternately, you can pay via our Donate button, supplying the following information:
Name, Phone, E-mail address, Quantity of tickets

If you would like to donate a service or item to our Silent Auction, please fill out our NOW Donation Request

PAULETTE BURDICK, Feminist of the Year
County Commissioner Paulette Burdick is proud of being a citizen-politician. Her first run for office was in 1994 to the Palm Beach County School Board because of her concern for our public schools. She served sixteen years and is past-president of the South Florida Consortium of School Boards. She was recognized by the League of Cities in 2004 as School Board Member of the Year.
In November 2010, Paulette was elected to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners from District two. A fiscal watchdog, she has been directly involved with finance, including all facets of countywide budgets and she has always taken a hands-on approach. She is dedicated to improving the lives of all our citizens.
Paulette is a graduate of Northeastern University. In her free time she enjoys spending time in the outdoors, particularly kayaking and gardening. She also volunteers with the homeless at The Lord’s Place in West Palm Beach.

RUTH BERMAN & CONNIE KURTZ, Rusty Gordon Human Rights Award
Long time chapter members, Connie and Ruth have been working for LGBT rights for over thirty years. Recently U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch reintroduced to Congress the LGBT Elder Americans Act, named after the Jewish lesbian couple from West Palm Beach. Congress passed the Older Americans Act to ensure their access to essential health care services. LGBT seniors are at even greater risk of discrimination for needed services.
In 2002 an award winning documentary about their lives titled “Ruthie and Connie: Every Room in The House” received a standing ovation from those attending the event. “For forty-four years and counting, our love has kept on growing as we became immersed in the battle for equal rights”, said Ruth. They became known for their battle for LGBT rights in 1988 when they sued the New York City Board of Education for domestic partner benefits.
“We have been proud of everything that has been achieved thus far, but the fight for equal rights is far from over”. Teens are bullied and are not treated with respect, but hate. Connie and Ruth started branches of PFLAG, Parent, Friends and Families of Gays and Lesbians in New York and in Florida. They were married in New York by Rabbi Sharon Kleinman on July 26, 2011, only two days following New York State allowing same-sex marriage.
About RUSTY GORDON
A long time active member of our NOW chapter until she passed away in 2009, Rusty was a pioneer in the LGBT movements. She was listed as one of the women in the book “Feminists Who Changed America” by Barbara J. Love in 2007. In 1967, she founded the Whimsy Political Clearinghouse in South Florida, with a focus on women’s studies and LGBT issues. She began producing women’s concerts and festivals in the 70’s and was an early supporter of lesbian musical artists.
She helped found the LGBT Democratic Caucus South Florida. Along with Davilyn Whims, her Life-Partner of over twenty years, they were a team coordinating the political work, the music businesses and producing Women’s Music Festivals. She was involved with NOW since its founding in 1966.

AMLONG LAW FIRM, Keynote speakers
The Amlong Law Firm has long been protecting the rights of employees in the workplace. Cases include sexual harassment, LGBT rights, hostile work environment, unpaid wages and overtime and employer retaliation.
Karen Coolman Amlong was the first state coordinator of the Florida chapters of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and a national board member in her 20’s. She was the first woman from Broward County elected as a state legislator in 1974.
Before becoming a lawyer, Bill Amlong was an investigative reporter for the Miami Herald, covering, among other things, national politics. The Miami Herald nominated him for three Pulitzer Prizes.
On March 25, 1998 Faragher V. City of Boca Raton was successfully argued in front of the U. S. Supreme Court by Bill Amlong as a violation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case centered around the sexual harassment of two female lifeguards by their supervisors. Beth Ann Faragher is now a practicing attorney in Colorado, inspired by her involvement in this historical decision.
Sheila Jaffe had met with these two lifeguards after our NOW chapter held a demonstration at a beach in Boca Raton where a young woman had been raped. They told her about the sexual harassment they were enduring, and we contacted the Amlongs, who took it from there all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Button-Making Potluck
2018-03-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Resilience Charter School, 1717 NE 9th Street, Gainesville, FL, 32606, United States
Join us for a chance to make your own Feminist buttons, where you can choose from dozens of designs or come up with your own. Enjoy some snacks and meet some members of Gainesville’s chapter of National Organization for Women. This will be a potluck event, so please consider bringing some goodies to share.
Location: Resilience Charter School, 1717 NE 9th St. Gainesville.
Date: March 15th
Time: 6:30
