February 2026

President's Message

Together we are stronger! Together we can make a difference!

Dear AAUW Florida Members,

As we move through February, I am grateful for the dedication and leadership shown by our members across the state. Your commitment to advancing equity for women and girls continues to strengthen AAUW Florida and expand our collective impact.

I am pleased to highlight our upcoming AAUW Florida Regional Conferences. This year’s conference theme, Leveraging Public Policy as a Leadership and Membership Tool, speaks directly to the important role advocacy plays in building strong, engaged branches and developing leaders at every level of our organization. The regional conferences are scheduled:

• Thurs. 3/19; 10:00-3:00

Venice Art Center, 300 Nokomis Ave. S., Venice, FL

Host Branch: Sarasota

• Sat. 4/11; 10:00-3:00

Cypress Knoll Club, 53 Easthamptom Blvd., Palm Coast, FL

Host Branch: Flagler

• Sat, 4/25; 10:00-3:00

N. Palm Beach Library, 303 Anchorage Dr, N, Palm Beach, FL

Host Branch: N. Palm Beach

The regional conferences will feature informative workshops, practical tools, and meaningful discussions focused on how public policy efforts can energize membership, cultivate leadership, and amplify AAUW’s mission locally and statewide. These conferences provide valuable opportunities to learn, share best practices, and connect with fellow members who are passionate about making a difference.

In addition, please mark your calendars for the AAUW Florida Annual Meeting and Town Hall, May 21, 2026, 6:00 p.m. This statewide event is essential to the governance of our organization, as we will conduct official business and hold elections. At least 40 percent of our branches must be represented in order to establish a quorum, making branch participation critical. Your attendance ensures that AAUW Florida can move forward effectively and that every branch has a voice in our shared future.

Please be on the lookout for registration details, agenda, and additional information for both the Regional Conferences and the Annual Meeting and Town Hall. I encourage you to attend, invite fellow branch members, and plan now to ensure your branch is represented.

Thank you for your continued dedication to AAUW Florida and for the important work you do every day. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Regional Conferences and at the Annual Meeting and Town Hall as we continue advancing our mission together.

With gratitude and best wishes,

K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D.

AAUW Florida President

AAUW Florida 2026 Nominating Committee

2026-2028 Slate of Officers Announced

The AAUW Florida five‑member Nominating Committee met in accordance with the AAUW FL Bylaws and is pleased to present the official Slate of Officers for the 2026–2028 term.

Slate of Officers (2026–2028)

• Secretary: Mary Gatta
• Director for Development: Sandra Johnson Austin
• Director for Membership: Kay Lee Smith
• Director for Communication: Gezil Andrews

Nominating Committee

• Beatrice Holt, Chair
• Pat DeWitt
• Gloria Hilton
• Carolyn Kershner
• Diana Sells

For more information contact, AAUW Florida Nominating Committee Chair, Beatrice Holt.

AAUW Florida Tech Trek Donations

Giving Day 2026: 24 Hours of Giving on February 12th

AAUW Florida Public Policy

Issues Forum Announcement

The most recent Florida AAUW Public Policy Issues Forum video is now available on our Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/1160395352

It features Camila Torres Rivera, M.A., M.Ed., presenting a fascinating account of her research on how students’ attitudes toward challenging academic experiences—such as STEM coursework—affect persistence and achievement. She also offers suggestions for increasing success in these fields. These types of interventions are essential to building the STEM workforce our country needs, including the full participation of women.

The next Issues Forum will be held on March 31 at 6 PM, featuring a presentation by Dr. Mary Gatta on her latest research on the gender pay gap, caregiving, and economic security. She will share the experiences of women in Florida and across the U.S., as well as policies that can help strengthen economic security.

Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KkUqELXZRIiKN0_2bAIzfg

Virtual Economic Empowerment Webinars

Empowering Women Through Trainings and Education

• Thursday February 12, 2026
• 8:00 - 9:00 pm ET

Register

https://my.aauw.org/event-information?id=a0lQr000001ieXRIAY

• Tuesday February 17, 2026
• 5:00 - 6:00 pm ET

Register

https://my.aauw.org/NC__Event?id=a0lQr000001huZRIAY

• Thursday February 26, 2026
• 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET

Register

https://my.aauw.org/NC__Event?id=a0lQr000001hub3IAA

AAUW Florida

2026 Regional Conference. Save-A-Date!

Registration for the 2026 Regional Conferences is required for attendees and the cost for this event is $30. More information will be shared. If you have immediate questions, you may follow up with Director for Program, Elinor Bozzone.

Lobby Days 2026

AAUW Florida Has Spoken

Our Lobby Day in Tallahassee this year, January 27, featured a small but mighty group of members from Gainesville, Saint Augustine, and Jacksonville. We attended two committee meetings and registered our support and opposition. Pat DeWitt spoke in support of SB 296, Victims of Domestic and Dating Violence, at the meeting in which it was reported favorably. We registered opposition to HB 173, Parental Rights (because of the danger to teens who can’t tell their parents about sexual activity), but it was reported favorably anyway.

We visited six legislative offices and spoke with two legislative aides, dropping off our lists of bills to support and oppose as well as Mary Gatta’s latest report on women’s economic security in Florida. The St. Augustine representatives brought packets of letters from their branch expressing opposition to the Schools of Hope co-location activities. A highlight of our visit was meeting and getting advice from Representative Anna Eskamani. We enjoyed experiencing key parts of the legislative process and getting to know one another.

For more information contact, AAUW Florida Director of Public Policy, Dr. Patricia DeWitt 

Picture shows left to right:

Pat DeWitt, Emily Owens, Eileen Bisgard, Rep. Eskamani, Betsy Ford, Kimberly

Beasley, Kim’s husband Jim, and Lisa Carlson

Membership Matters

Updates, Initiatives, and Recruitment Efforts

The AAUW National Board of Directors approved a 2025 Degree Equivalency Policy that expands membership eligibility. Women may now qualify if they:

1. hold certificates, licenses, or professional certifications from a higher‑education institution accredited by a regional agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or
2. have completed two years of full‑time study (or 48 credit hours) at an accredited institution.
3. Full details are available on page 4 of the May 14, 2025 AAUW Board Minutes: https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2025/07/5.14.25-Board-Minutes-FINAL.pdf.

AAUW Florida has introduced a statewide In Memoriam page to help honor and remember past members and their contributions to our organization. This resource preserves important history while also providing meaningful opportunities to reconnect with families, colleagues, and community partners who may wish to stay involved. You can view the page or submit honoree information using the links below:

1. In Memoriam Page: https://aauw-fl.aauw.net/membership/in-memoriam/
2. Submission Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1c6mvlipanHHJVkg0GJU_G1FkXKmI_QtP7wwVz3jKwOk/viewform?edit_requested=true#responses

Statewide engagement also continues through the AAUW Virtual/Online Book Club, a valuable year‑round option for branches seeking accessible programming. Members interested in joining or promoting the book club may contact Doris at dorisnoble20016@yahoo.com. Additionally, members can show their AAUW pride by purchasing AAUW Florida merchandise and pins through Christina Evette at (843) 412‑3817 or by visiting https://christinaevette.com.

Finally, we are prioritizing recruitment efforts with discounted membership pathways designed to welcome new participants into AAUW and support branch growth. Please share and use the following link which will give you pertinent information on the Shape the Future Campaign, Student Discounts (College/University–affiliated Undergraduate Student (use code CUStudentFY26) and Graduate Students (use CUGradStudentFY26), codes are valid through March 31, 2026. Need assistance or have questions about applying discounts at checkout? Contact connect@aauw.org for support.

AAUW 2026 Atlantic States Regional Conference

September 25-27 2026

AAUW 2026 Atlantic States Regional Conference

Leadership Sponsorship Courtesy of AAUW Florida

A self nomination and a Request for Sponsorship should be sent to Dr. Patricia DeWitt 

(aauwfldewitt@gmail.com), Committee Chair, by members who are interested in Sponsorship. 

AAUW National

Updates

Resources: Five-minute video; connect@aauw.org; and Bylaws Toolkit

Resources: Request Application for members who may qualify (accepted after Feb 28). 

Resources: Information on national dues increase, beginning Apr 1, 2026 

Resources: Check out the How To Video Here.

Resources: Register for NCCWSL, Registration is Now Open! 

Resources: Register Today for AAUW 2026 Virtual Economic Empowerment Trainings

AAUW Florida

2025-2026 Elected Officers

President– K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D.

President-Elect– Rose Llanos

Director for Programs– Elinore Bozzone

Director for Membership– Marjorie Fontalvo, Ed.D.

Director for Finance– Jennifer Nanek

Director for Communications & floriVision Editor– Demetrix Rostick-Owens, Ed.D.

Director for Public Policy– Patricia DeWitt, Ph.D.

Secretary– Saundra Johnson Austin, Ed.D.

Open Positions– Director of Development, Bylaws and Policies Chair, Historian, Parliamentarian, Administrative Assistant.

For information contact: 



President– K. Lee-Smith, Ph.D.

President-Elect– Rose Llanos

Director for Communications & floriVision Editor– Demetrix Rostick-Owens, Ed.D.

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