The Manatee Commission on the Status of Women and The Commission on the Status of Women-Sarasota County and the League of Women Voters Manatee County, along with the Host Committee, presented another remarkable regional event on Sat. August 23, 2008! August 26th is the official date of the 88th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution Granting Women the Right to Vote. We gathered to honor those women who fought, persisted, marched and protested for 144 years until the 19th Amendment was ratified. We also celebrate the achievements of women whose accomplishments exemplify women's quest to achieve equality in all aspects of American life. This was the 13th year that this was celebrated at the Bradenton Auditorium. In 2008, the SCSW joined both the MCSW and the LWV-Manatee to make this truly a regional event. Next year, this event will be hosted in Sarasota County on Saturday, August 22, 2009.
This year the Honorary Chair was Dr. Kay Glasser, Ph.D., Glasser Schoenbaum Center, Sarasota, FL Dr. Glasser spoke to the importance of women and men voting because it is one of the fundamental freedoms that this country was founded on-the right to vote! It is important be an informed voter and vote for the candidate of your choice, whatever your reasons. Abstaining from voting is NOT an option and make sure everyone you know votes also!
The Speaker was Dr. Meg Lowman,Ph.D., Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, Director of Environmental Initiatives, New College of Florida, Sarasota FL. Dr. Lowman emphasized the influence the women's vote has on enviornmental issues and the focus it puts on public policy regarding these. The enviornment is not a renewable resource that can survive cuts to funding as opposed to, for example, the arts and music. (not that she recommended cuts to those!)
She also felt strongly about the need for more girls and young women to be encouraged to study and enter careers in the sciences and technology and the higher educational teaching levels that would produce more women scientists, etc. Women bring a different, more nuturing, perspective when placed in positions of authority in these fields that benefits the earth and the living things on it, like us!
We wish to thank again our sponsors for this year and we look forward to your support in 2009!
DIAMOND
SCENE MAGAZINE
THE BRADENTON HERALD
PLATINUM
BRIGHTHOUSE NETWORKS
MANATEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA GENDER STUDIES PROGRAM
BRONZE
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT
CONTRIBUTORS
FISHER COUNSELING & MEDIATION SERVICES, INC.
SONIA PRESSMAN FUENTES
KAILASH AND DR. MONA JAIN
NAN-DEL PLANTS
We also wish to thank our exhibitors:
AAUW
Baker Medical Arts-Wellness Institute & Medical Spa
Democratic Women's Club of Manatee County
LWV-Manatee County
Literacy Council of Manatee and Sarasota
Manatee Commission on the Status of Women
Sarasota Commission on the Status of Women
Florida Commission on the Status of Women
Manatee County Republican Party
Manatee Memorial Hospital Volunteers
Mary Kay Foundation
National Organization for Women (NOW) Sarasota/Manatee & Venice/North Port
New College Gender Studies Program
Non-Partisan Candidates
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida
Sarasota County Democratic Party
Sarasota County Republican Party
SCENE MAGAZINE
To Inform Families First
Women's Veterans Network
Women's Resource Center of Manatee
