Unite and Rise For Democracy Rally

Saturday, November 1

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Riverwalk Pavillion, Rossi Park

452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the day!

Let’s stand united—for democracy, for truth, and for each other.

• Celebrate Democracy with uplifting entertainment and community spirit
• Connect and learn from 18 non-partisan political and community organizations such as ones for veterans' issues, local history, youth empowerment, investigative publisher, civic reform, and social justice
• Food trucks for lunch or a snack
• Three INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS
• Oscar Portillo-Meza, Analysis to Action: A Mission in Digital Advocacy
• Michelle Grimsley Shindano, Building Bridges Through Policy and Community Leadership
• Jessica Lowe-Minor, Actions We Can Take to Create Change
  

All are welcome. Bring your friends, your voice, and your hope.

A Bill to Abolish State Funded

'Faux Medical Clinics'

Monday, November 17,

 at 5:00 pm via Zoom

State Mandated Resiliency Instruction:

Wellness Wednesdays

Tuesday, November 18,

at 4:00 pm via Zoom

Tuesday, November 11, 4:30 pm - The Combined Government Action Team and

the National Popular Vote Action Team

Click here to register for the Government Action Team meeting.

For more information,

email Government Action Team Co- Chairs Holly Kennedy and Alice Newlon. 

For information about National Popular Vote, email Deb Mazzaferro.

Wednesday, November 12, 4:00 pm - LWV-Manatee County (LWV-MC) Board Meeting. All are welcome! Click here to join the Board Meeting

Monday, November 17, 5:00 pm - The Reproductive Rights Action Team

See event titled "A Bill to Abolish State Funded 'Faux Medical Clinics'"

Click here to register for this Reproductive Rights Action Team Event.

For more information, email Nancy Hughes



Tuesday, November 18, 4:00 pm - Education Issues Action Team Meeting

See event titled "Resiliency Instruction Required by State Statute: Wellness Wednesdays." All are welcome!

Click here to join this Education Issues Action Team Event

For more information, email Education Chair Merrie Lynn Parker



Thursday, November 20, 12:00 pm - The Natural Resources Action Team

See in person event (location and time) above titled "Why Climate Action is Unstoppable and "Climate Realism" is a Myth." All are welcome!

Click here to register for the meeting at Braden River library.

For more information, email Natural Resources Chair Randy Miller

Wednesday, November 26, 5:00 pm - Voter Services Action Team Meeting

Click here to register for the Voter Services Meeting

For more information, email Voter Services Chair Terri Kondos

The Social Issues Action Team will not meet in November

For more information, email Social Issues Co-Chairs Tina Juillerat and Nina Tortelli

Membership Committee Meeting will not meet in November

For more information, email Lyle Landon

November 11 is Veterans Day

This month we focus on: Giving Thanks for Our Veterans.

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County is Thankful for Our Veterans

November is the month of Thanksgiving, a day to reflect on the blessings in our lives and the spirit of giving. It reminds us to appreciate not only what we have, but also the people that have protected and enriched our community and our lives.



In every corner of our nation, the freedoms we enjoy are built on the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. These men and women have served with honor, often in the face of danger, hardship, and uncertainty. Their commitment to protecting our country and upholding its values and the Constitution is a debt we can never fully repay—but we can recognize it with deep and enduring gratitude.

Manatee County veterans have stood watch over our liberties, defending them in times of war and peace. They’ve left behind families, careers, and comfort to answer the call of duty. Whether on the front lines or in support roles, their service has preserved the principles of democracy, justice, and freedom that define the American spirit.

We are thankful not only for their past sacrifices but also for their continued contributions. Many veterans return home and continued to serve mentoring youth, taking leadership roles as elected officials and advocating for others. To name JUST A FEW, prior Commissioner Reggie Bellamy mentors youth, Manatee County Commissioners Bearden, Rahn and Dr. McCann are veterans, prior Commissioner Joe McClash is a civic engagement advocate and publisher of the Bradenton Times and the members of Our Next Mission, a veterans group that works with Habitat for Humanity to provide safe and accessible homes for veterans. Their dedication enriches our community in countless ways.

Gratitude to veterans means more than words. It means ensuring they receive the care, respect, and opportunities they deserve. It means listening to their stories, honoring their experiences, and standing beside them as they reintegrate into civilian life.

November is also the month of Veterans Day. This month, and throughout the year, we are thankful to our veterans. Their bravery reminds us that freedom is earned, protected, and passed on by those willing to serve.

The response from our members and supporters, to submit one to three sentence why they are thankful to our veterans, has been more than we can fit in our newsletter. Below are the first of those submitted. To see the full outpouring for gratitude, click here.

Our veterans risked their lives to keep our freedom. From my father to all the others, I give hearty thanks and gratitude and will fight to keep it. Susan Fingerman


Every aspect of the life I’ve enjoyed was made possible by the protection of Veterans for my way of life. I know from the service of my grandfather, father, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, two sons-in-law, and five uncles what sacrifice they made for our democracy. I am thankful to all veterans for their protection and give them my heartfelt gratitude. Ruth Harenchar


I’m thankful for our veterans who gave up memories they could have made with their families so we could make our own with ours. Their sacrifices echo in every quiet, safe morning we wake up to. I carry that gratitude every day. Dr. Janine Gregor, D.B.A.


I am thankful for their courage and bravery. I am thankful for the sacrifices they and their families have made. All to protect our country, constitution and our rights. Barb McCrea


I am deeply thankful for our veterans — the brave men and women who sacrifice their time, their families, and sometimes their very lives to protect ours. Their courage and selflessness remind us what true service and love of country look like. We owe them more than words can ever express. Kathleen Thomas


Our veterans give their time, devotion, and honor to protect each of us and our country. They take time away from their families to do this. We need to also be thankful for their families who are willing to share their family member. Dale Otterman


The Greatest Generation of veterans saved us from fascism in World War II and liberated the concentration camps.  For that, I will be eternally grateful.  Let us hope that those who currently serve will follow their solemn oath to uphold our Constitution in these dangerous times, no matter the pressure from would-be tyrants. Robin Taub Williams


Veterans have put themselves in harms way for over two hundred years, many times with little thanks. Even in peace time, every American citizen can sleep well at night knowing the Army, Navy, Marines, and Airforce are at the ready. Thank you for serving and may the government always ensure you are taken care of following your service. Judy Kreiling


As a veteran I am especially proud of those who have served and have come to understand the uselessness and stupidity of most wars. Thank you Veterans Against the War, veterans who fight climate change because it is a national security threat, veterans who protect against our current anti-democratic regime. “It is always the old who lead us to wars, it is always the young who die” W. P. Maturo


Veterans have put themselves in harm’s way to preserve our way of life. We owe it to them to unite and rise for democracy and the freedoms they have fought to safeguard. Dr. Barbara J. Ehren


Without the selfless sacrifices of veterans, our country would not be what it is today. We the people owe it to our veterans to work tirelessly to maintain our democracy and build each other up.  Meagan Milne

Guest speakers were Dr. Nicholas Chartres, Senior Research Fellow at The University of Sydney and Abena BakenRa, a Science Associate working with the Science, Policy & Engagement team.

Don't let the name fool you. EVERYONE is welcome.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in our democracy. We empower voters and defend democracy through advocacy, education, and litigation, at the local, state, and national levels.