FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2023
ORLANDO, Fla. – This weekend, the League of Women Voters of Florida elected a new state board of directors. Cecile M. Scoon, Esq., who was elected in 2021, will remain as the organization’s board co-president for the next two years. Deborah (Debbie) Chandler, Esq. joins Scoon as co-president through 2025.
“I am honored to have two more years as a League leader. I am now co-president with my good friend, co-president Debbie Chandler. I bring the expertise of a civil rights attorney and Debbie brings more than 20 years as a public defender, both skill sets fit well together as we continue to fight for voting rights and freedom in our state,” said Cecile M. Scoon, Esq. Our democracy is under attack, and voters are counting on the League to do everything it takes to protect voting rights. Our prior board spent many hours protecting democracy and I thank them for their amazing efforts and I am confident in this new board to lead the League with vision and effective strategy through the next two years.”
“I am honored and humbled to be elected as co-president by fellow League members. I see this as an important opportunity to lead alongside Cecile and a great responsibility,” said Debbie Chandler, Esq. “The League is at the intersection of democracy, social justice, and civil rights and it is through that lens that we seek to advance voting rights in Florida and across our nation. We will continue our 100+ year traditions as a grassroots, nonpartisan organization.”
The newly elected board under Co-Presidents Scoon and Chandler include:
- Anna Alvarez Boyd, ACC (1st Vice President)
- Jill Lewis-Spector, Ed.D. (2nd Vice President)
- Monica Elliott, JD (Secretary)
- Theresa Thomas (Treasurer)
- Jessica Gomez (Director)
- Felecia Jett, Ph.D. (Director)
- Patricia Plummer, Ph.D. (Director)
- Kelly Williams, Esq. (Director)
- Monica A. Bustinza (Director)
The two day convention event included a keynote address from representatives of Floridians Protecting Freedom, a series of workshops and a guest appearance from Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost.
During the event, local League’s were awarded by the League of Women Voters of Florida for accomplishments within their communities:
- The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County was awarded a Platinum Award for launching and managing a two-phased, targeted digital outreach voter education campaign during the 2022 election cycle.
- The League of Women Voters of Jacksonville/First was awarded a Gold Award for their efforts to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and their work to understand the unique challenges, needs and cultures across their expansive community.
- The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County was awarded a Silver Award for creating three cutting edge programs to motivate student and community involvement within their own League.
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Media Contact: Blake Summerlin – blake@lwvfl.org; (772) 217-0772
