Step With Me: State President Shirley D. Reid

I am honored to be your new president in this momentous year 2016. Ninety-six years after the ratification of the 19^th Amendment, one of the two major political parties has nominated the first woman to become president of this great country of ours (finally). This is the time for us to stand up with our sisters to recognize the hard work of the women and men who led the successful suffrage movement by keeping the polls accessible to everyone and ensuring all women are registered and educated on all issues.

Let us take advantage of our Public Policy Impact Grant in our Branches by making certain that all women are registered to vote.  Elections matter!  Let us make certain that all women are educated on issue-based choices. We will continue to fight for fair pay and against discrimination. Your vote is your voice.  Be Heard!

We are pleased with another dynamic Tech Trek STEM Camp held this year at Palm Beach State College.  We congratulate all of you for your caring support in making this possible this year for 60 young girls entering 8^th grade to attend. Our campers described this as an “awesome” experience.  We’re hoping that you have STEM as part of your operating budget.  It takes $1000 to send a girl to camp.

Our upcoming Leadership Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota Florida, beginning on Sunday, April 2^nd through Monday noon April 3^rd. This as you realize is a slight change for us, but I believe that starting early we should be able to plan accordingly. At this time of year, in the midst of tourist season, we are able to negotiate better hotel rates and accommodations by moving our conference to beginning on Sunday.  Let’s be open to this and try it!  Planning is underway.  You won’t want to miss this!

Each month one of your State Board Directors will be featured in “STEP WITH ME” to share pertinent information with you and to let you know that we are here for you.  This is an exciting time and we enthusiastically embrace the opportunities available to us as we continue to fulfill our mission of advancing equity to women and girls.  Working together we are stronger.