General Meeting – January 10, 2026

The meeting featured a Round Table Discussion on the topic of leveraging AAUW’s 2025-2027 Public Policy Initiatives as a membership tool and translating public policy to the local level.

Just for Fun – January 7, 2026

 

Branch members met at the Epic Theater to attend an afternoon matinee of Song Sung Blue, a drama based on the story of a Neil Diamond tribute band – Lightning and Thunder.

Christmas in Killarney – December 17, 2025

AAUW Flagler members and friends participated in a holiday fundraiser for branch scholarships at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center on December 17th. Christmas in Killarney was a joyful performance, combining traditional Irish dance with classic Christmas carols and storytelling.  We all enjoyed this heartwarming production with themes of love, family and culture and raised $300.00 for our Scholarship Fund.

General Meeting – December 6, 2025

The Flagler Palm Coast High School Formality Singers, under the direction of FPC Choral Director and AAUW Flagler member Ester Jackson performed songs of the holiday season.  In the spirit of giving, members provided gifts and donations to the Family Life Center of Palm Coast and the Grace Community Food Pantry.

Four of our former Arts Grants recipients were among the talented Formality Singers.  From left to right – Aleiya Lalaram, Lorelei Kilmer, Morgan Jeanty, and Mallory Blackburn with Choral Director Ester Jackson.

 

Festival of Trees – November 18, 2025

AAUW Flagler continued its tradition of participating in the Flagler County Public Library’s annual community-wide holiday celebration.  During the Festival of Trees event, local organizations are invited to set up trees or wreaths at the library with decorations that are representative of their mission.  Thanks to those members who helped to set up and decorate our tree.

General Meeting – November 8, 2025

Dr. Mary Gatta spoke about current AAUW Florida Public Policy Initiatives.  Dr. Gatta served as Public Policy Co-Chair for AAUW Florida and is currently responsible for the AAUW Florida Public Policy Issue Forums.

She spearheaded research for the AAUW in Florida on older women’s economic security across race and class through which she authored several reports. In addition, she worked on the national AAUW report “Limiting Our Livelihoods: The Cumulative Impact of Sexual Harassment on Women’s Careers.”

 

Introducing our newest members Janet Correia, Maryiotti Johnson and Fredda Levenson.

 

Read about the meeting in the Flagler County Buzz and the Flagler News Weekly 

General Meeting – October 11, 2025

The program included short presentations by three of our four 2025 Tech Trek campers.  The middle-school girls shared their experiences at the week-long summer STEM camps on the campuses of Stetson University and Florida Atlantic University.

In addition, Angela O’Brien, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services for the Flagler County Schools spoke about the state of our local schools. In her role, she is responsible for directing and administering the Flagler School District’s policies, programs and goals associated with student excellence and assisting in the development of school curriculum and related services.

Click here to see our Tech Trek press coverage in the Observer e-newspaper.

Supporting a Sister Branch – September 26, 2025

 

AAUW Flagler Members attended the AAUW St. Augustine Film Festival – A Celebration of Films BY and ABOUT Women held at The Waterworks in St. Augustine.

The event was a fundraiser for the STEM Tech Trek program for middle school girls.

Newcomer’s Expo – September 25, 2025

Membership Chair Linda Lockwood and Sherri Barnett represented
AAUW Flagler County at this event at the Palm Coast Community Center. They distributed brochures, talked about the work of AAUW and
recruited new members.
Thank you both for a job well done!

Just for Fun – September 20, 2025

Members met at Poppy’s True Market in Bunnell for a special art show featuring the work of Highwaymen Artist R.L. Lewis.  In addition to providing an opportunity to meet the artist, the event included an informative talk by Gary Monroe, the
author of numerous books on the lives of and artworks produced by Florida Highwaymen artists. Following the art show, we had lunch at Terranova’s Restaurant & Pizzeria.

Women’s Equality Day – August 26, 2025

AAUW Flagler members and friends celebrated the 105th anniversary of Women’s Equality Day on August 26 with a luncheon at Mezzaluna Pizzaria in the European Village in Palm Coast. This date is observed annually in the United States to mark the anniversary of the ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which granted women the right to vote.  Thanks to Kathy Reichard-Ellavsky for submitting information about this event and a Letter to the Editor to the Palm Coast Observer.   Flagler’s American Association of University Women celebrate Women’s Equality Day | Observer Local News | Palm Coast Observer and Ormond Beach Observer

Bunnell History Day – June 7, 2025

 President Gail Palmer representing AAUW Flagler and recruiting new members at the Bunnell History Day event sponsored by the Flagler County Historical Society

 

Newcomers Expo – May 7, 2025

President Gail Palmer and Membership Director Linda Lockwood represented our branch at the Connecting to Palm Coast Expo at the Community Center.

UnHappy Hour – April 8, 2025

General Meeting – April 5, 2025

Joe Saloom, Assistant Library Director for Flagler County, informed our members about the many services and resources provided by the Flagler County Public Library.

 AAUW FL Regional Leadership Conference  March 29, 2025

AAUW Flagler Lobbies in Tallahassee

March 17-19, 2025

President Gail Palmer and member Kathy Reichard-Ellavsky joined other AAUW branch members across the state to participate in Lobby Days.  The group sat in on committee meetings, attended a press conference for Equality Florida, met with Representatives Kelly Skidmore and Anna Eskamani, visited the offices of our Senator Tom Leek and Representative Sam Greco, and spoke to the support people in most of the Democratic Senators’ offices.

 

Kathy Reichard-Ellavsky located the plaque honoring Alice Scott Abbott in the Florida State Capitol’s Women’s Hall of Fame. She was a Suffragist who lived in Bunnell, FL from 1913 – 1920 and has been honored for her decades of work to win voting rights for women!

Fashion Show Fundraiser – March 12, 2025

General Meeting – March 8, 2025

 

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Commander Mike Lutz presented an informative program on personal and online safety tips with a focus on women. 

He educated our branch about current scams targeting senior citizens and the availability of free Women’s Self Defense classes.

General Meeting – February 1, 2025

Robert Whiting, Educational Director for the African American Cultural Society in Palm Coast educated us with his knowledge of the rich heritage of African American culture.  A native of Washington, DC, he graduated magna cum laude from the University of the District of Columbia with a degree in Business Administration and received an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Investments from George Washington University.

Mr. Whiting has completed over 40 years of African research with a special emphasis on Nile Valley Civilizations. He has lectured in universities, schools, churches, and community groups in America, the Caribbean and Africa.  He, along with our October 2024 speaker LaShakia Moore, are recent recipients of the Educational Excellence Award presented by the NAACP.

General Meeting – January 11, 2025

 

Judy Bucek, RSVP Project Director/Volunteer Coordinator for Flagler Volunteer Services spoke about the many volunteer opportunities that make a difference in our community.

Judy oversees many of the FVS programs and coordinates volunteers to serve local organizations that have a variety of needs.   She is dedicated to ensuring volunteers have the tools that they need to meet the needs of the community.

 

General Meeting – December 14, 2024

Festival of Trees – November 18, 2024

AAUW Flagler continued its tradition of participating in the Flagler County Public Library’s annual community-wide holiday celebration.  During the Festival of Trees event, local organizations are invited to set up trees or wreaths at the library that are representative of their mission.  There were over 40 trees and wreaths this year.  Decorations on our tree called attention to our 40th Anniversary as well as the 2024 scholarship recipients who help to highlight the mission of our branch.  Thanks to those members who helped to set up and decorate our tree.

General Meeting – November 9, 2024

Flagler County Superintendent of Schools LaShakia Moore was our guest speaker.  A product of the Florida public school system, Ms. Moore has a long and illustrious association with Flagler Schools, beginning her career as a teacher in Flagler County 15 years ago.  A 2004 graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, she earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from St. Leo University in 2017.  Working her way up through the ranks, the School Board unanimously appointed her Superintendent of Flagler Schools on September 5, 2023.

Ms. Moore shared insights into the 2024-2025 school year and answered questions from the group.  She also learned about opportunities AAUW provides to Flagler County students.

Just for Fun/Fundraiser – October 26, 2024

AAUW Flagler members participated in a fundraising event at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center.  An enjoyable evening was had by all as we were entertained by three talented comedians.

 

General Meeting – October 19, 2024

Our first program of this new year was a presentation by the Volusia County League of Women Voters. League representatives Nancy Vaughn and Clay Meek shared a Power Point presentation on the proposed Florida constitutional amendments on the November 2024 ballot. Following the presentation, they answered our questions and clarified the amendments.

Reading Women Book Club – September 7, 2024

We met at Olive Garden for lunch and to select our Book List for 2024-25.

Reading Women Book Club – April 13, 2024

Reading Women meets monthly at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive.

General Meeting – April 6, 2024

 

Flagler County Supervisor of Elections Kaiti Lenhart prepared branch members for the 2024 election season with her presentation addressing voting by mail, early voting, election day voting, local candidates and election security.

 

Fashion Show Fundraiser – March 13, 2024

Our annual Fashion Show Fundraiser was held at Chez Jacqueline, a women owned boutique in Palm Coast. One hundred percent of the funds raised, $1,110.00, generated from the sale of event and raffle tickets, will benefit the AAUW Flagler Local Scholarship Fund.

Thank you to our models and members who participated through their attendance and donations.  Much appreciation to Chez Jacqueline for supporting local scholarships by providing the venue, fashions to model and refreshments at no cost to community organizations.

 

March 2024 Proclaimed AAUW Month in Flagler County

Supporting a Sister Branch – February 15, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Members of our branch attended AAUW St. Augustine’s Black History Month program, The Blues and Beyond:  Exploring the Role of the Blues in the African American Experience.  The speaker, Dr. Scott Swann who holds a PhD in ethnomusicology from Florida State University, educated and entertained those in attendance at the historic Lincolnville Museum.

General Meeting – February 10, 2024

Black History Month ~ 40th Anniversary of Branch

 

Fine art photographer Lenny Foster enthralled members and guests with his visual storytelling.  His images tell the story of African Americans in St. Augustine and beyond.  He explained that his work “combines my fine art photography with a historic and social awareness of the continuing struggle for justice, equal rights, freedom, and recognition by the people who are my ancestors, my heritage.”

Currently a resident of St. Augustine, Mr. Foster owns Gallery One Forty Four in the city.  He previously lived in Taos, New Mexico where he owned and operated The Living Light Photography Gallery.  Lenny Foster’s work is widely exhibited in public museums and private collections.

 

We celebrated our 40th anniversary with a special cake and a look back in time through pages of a scrapbook documenting the beginning of our branch.  We were honored to have one of our founding members in attendance.

January 19, 2024 – In Memory of Queenester Jones

 

We sadly announce the passing of Queenester Jones, a long-time member of AAUW Flagler.  Queenester was a seasonal resident, spending the winters in Palm Coast and the summers in West Virginia.  Queenester was an active branch member, attending monthly General Meetings and State Conventions and holding leadership positions, the most recent being Co-Program chair.

Queenester Jones Obituary – Death Notice and Service Information (legacy.com)

General Meeting – January 13, 2024

 

Dr. Mary Gatta, Director of Research at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and Co-Chair Public Policy, AAUW Florida, shared brand new research on the impact of college career services on undergraduate women pursuing technology careers.  Specifically, she addressed how college career services can level the playing field for women in general and in particular for women pursuing tech careers.

General Meeting – December 9, 2023

The Flagler Palm Coast High School Formality Singers, under the direction of FPC Choral Director and AAUW Flagler member Ester Jackson, performed songs of the season.

November 13, 2023 – Festival of Trees

AAUW Flagler continued its tradition of participating in the Flagler County Public Library’s annual community-wide holiday celebration.  During the Festival of Trees event, local organizations are invited to set up trees or wreaths at the library that are representative of their mission.  There were over 40 trees and wreaths this year. Our tree was decorated with images of women that reflect the National Women’s History Alliance theme, “Women Who Tell Our Stories.” The ornaments featured well-known writers, journalists, and photographers as well as the scholarship winners who help tell the story of our branch.  Thanks to those members who helped to set up and decorate our tree.

General Meeting – November 11, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Ruberg and Nadine King from Christmas Come True, described this community program and distributed wish lists to members who wished to participate.

Lynn Balaban, a retired CPA, spoke about Women’s Financial Literacy.  Lynn is a graduate of the University of Florida and the sister of AAUW Flagler member Gale Ulmer.

General Meeting – October 14, 2023             

 

Selina Hernandez, Assistant Director of Student Services for the Flagler County Education Foundation,  spoke about the Take Stock in Children Program administered by the foundation and the important role adult mentors play in the success of the program. Take Stock in Children was founded in 1995 to combat a troubling and persistent dropout rate that plagued the public school system.  Its mission is to decrease poverty through education.

 

                AAUW Flagler partnered with the Flagler County Public Library to celebrate                                                               Banned Books Week, October 1 – 7, 2023                                                    Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.

On September 29th we kicked off Banned Books Week with a Just for Fun event, a Book to Movie Matinee featuring 11-year–old Margaret who navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence when her family moves from the city to the suburbs,

On October 3rd members of AAUW Flagler’s Reading Women Book Club led a Banned Book Discussion of the library’s featured banned book, Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume.

 

Monday, August 21, 2023                                                             A Just for Fun Event

Members met for lunch at Dominic’s Deli followed by a celebration of Senior Citizen Day at the Flagler County Public Library in Palm Coast.

We were entertained with rock songs of the 50s, 60s, and 70s performed by Dennis Hurlie and DJ Rudy.  Some of us were even asked to dance!

                                       

 

May 13, 2023 – General Meeting

 New Officers Installed and Scholarship Recipients Recognized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 1, 2023 – General Meeting

 

We welcomed back one of our favorite speakers, Dr. Michael Butler, Professor of History and Chair of Humanities at Flagler College in St. Augustine.

Dr. Butler’s presentation addressed a timely topic – What is Academic Freedom and Why Does it Matter?

March 30, 2023 – AAUW Honored

 

The Advisory Board of the Daytona State College Falcon Hope Center (which was called the Women’s Center and later The Center for Women and Men) voted this year to honor AAUW at its annual Women’s History Luncheon.

The 2023 theme was “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”  This year’s honoree is Pat Ross, President of the Daytona Branch of AAUW and former President of AAUW FL.

March 26, 2023 – Tag Sale Fundraiser

The Tag Sale held at the European Village Farmer’s Market to benefit AAUW Flagler County’s Operating Fund was a great success!  Not only did the participants have a good time, but we also raised $516.00 for the Branch’s Operating Fund.  Thanks to Suzie for booking the event and to all who contributed sale items, time, haggle expertise and their husbands to make the event so profitable!  A special “Thank You” to Haydee Bernal’s husband, Pete, and son, Sean!

March 21, 2023 – Fashion Show Fundraiser

Fashion + Fun = Funds for Scholarships

In another successful fundraiser, our members walked the Chez Jacqueline runway modeling everything from fashions for a casual cruise to elegant evening wear.

Thank you to our models and members who participated through their attendance and donations.  Special recognition goes to Suzer Sachs for securing Massage Envy gift certificates for the silent auction.  Much appreciation to Chez Jacqueline for supporting local scholarship fundraisers by providing the venue, fashions to model and refreshments at no cost to community organizations.

March 15, 2023 – Equal Pay Day Un-Happy Hour

 

AAAUW Flagler members met at JT’s Seafood Shack for an Un-Happy Hour to recognize Equal Pay Day.

This symbolic day denotes how far into the year women must work to be paid what men were paid the previous year.  All are wearing red to symbolize how far women are “in the red” with their pay.

 

 

 

February 24, 2023 – AAUW FL NE Regional Workshop

        Members from AAUW branches in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Flagler County, St. Augustine, New Smyrna Beach and Winter Park/Orlando attended the Leadership Workshop            held at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach.   Representatives from our branch included President Ellie Bozzone, Membership Vice President Vicky Fitzgerald and Web Manager Theresa Owen.                                                      

           February 11, 2023 – General Meeting

AAUW Flagler Recognizes Black History Month

Mr. Phillips educated meeting attendees about the  Gullah Geechee people who descended from enslaved Africans from specific tribal groups in West Central Africa, (of present-day Angola) and Kizzi. The Gullah Geechee, who lived in isolation on plantations from coastal North Carolina to Northeast Florida, developed their own patois, hybrid religious beliefs, folklore and arts. They spoke their own words in their own patterns and songs.

Just for Fun – January 25, 2023                

 

Members, joined by family and friends, visited the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine followed by lunch at the museum’s Cafe Alcazar.   Celebrating its Diamond Anniversary this year the museum had several new exhibits, including a beautiful display of Tiffany glass.  A wonderful day was had by all.

 

January 14, 2023 – General Meeting

Pat Ross, President of the Daytona Beach Branch and former President of AAUW Florida, updated AAUW Flagler members with information about new and upcoming programs and projects at the state and national levels of our organization.  She also spoke about the Legacy Circle, AAUW’s recognition society for our beloved visionaries who are committed to advancing equity for women and girls long into the future.

---

December 14, 2022 – Just for Fun

Dinner and Holiday Lights – Members met for dinner at Olive Garden and visited Fantasy Lights, a Rotary sponsored event at Central Park Town Center,

 

December 10, 2022 – General Meeting 

   The Formality Singers, a mixed voiced chorus composed of students from Flagler Palm Coast High School, entertained our branch members with holiday favorites.

 

December 1, 2022 – Scholarship Fundraiser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another successful fashion show fundraiser at Chez Jacqueline – $1,000 was raised for local scholarships!  Much appreciation to all who supported this event by buying tickets, donating raffle baskets and modeling.  Many thanks to Chez Jacqueline for providing the venue, fashions to model and snacks at no charge to our branch!

November 30 – Dedication of Shirley Chisholm Trail

Members of AAUW Flagler participated in the dedication of a bronze plaque renaming the Pine Lakes walking/biking path the Shirley Chisholm Trail.  The Democratic Women’s Club of Flagler County in conjunction with other community organizations worked with the City of Palm Coast to recognize the many accomplishments of this amazing woman.  She was the first black woman elected to the United States Congress as well as the first black candidate to be nominated by a major party for the office of President of the United States.  She spent her last years as a resident of Palm Coast.

November 2022 – Festival of Trees

AAUW Flagler continued its tradition of participating in the Flagler County Public Library’s annual community-wide holiday celebration.  During the Festival of Trees event, local organizations are invited to set up trees or wreaths at the library that are representative of their mission.  There were over 40 trees and wreaths this year. Our tree was decorated with images of women that reflect the National Women’s History Alliance theme, “Women Who Tell Our Stories.” The ornaments featured well-known writers, journalists, and photographers as well as the scholarship winners who help tell the story of our branch.  Thanks to those members who helped to set up and decorate our tree.

November 5, 2022 – General Meeting

We welcomed back a favorite speaker, Dr. Mary Gatta, sociologist, researcher, advocate and author.  Dr. Gatta recently moved to St. Augustine and is currently working as the Director for Research and Public Policy for NACE, the National Association for Colleges and Employers. 

Her presentation about gender and race inequities in internships garnered many questions and led to a lively discussion.   We learned that the top three skills employers are looking for are in the areas of communication, critical thinking and teamwork.

October 8, 2022 – General Meeting

Kaiti Lenhart, Supervisor of Elections for Flagler County is a Florida native, born and raised in Ormond Beach, Florida. She has been administering elections since 2009 with the Flagler County Elections Office. She was appointed Supervisor of Elections by Governor Rick Scott on January 9, 2015, and elected in 2016. 

Kaiti’s presentation about the election process, election security and the importance of voting was both informative and engaging.

 

September 20, 2022

Lunch and a Musical Event in                             St. Augustine

An enjoyable day was had by all as several members lunched at the St. Augustine Fish Camp followed by a Words and Music performance at the Waterworks Building that featured past AAUW FL president, Patricia Dewitt and her husband.

 

Words and Music Series with Peter and Patricia Dewitt. _ Visit St. Augustine2

 

August 27, 2022

Dedication of National Votes for Women Trail Marker

AAUW Flagler and the Flagler County Historical Society partnered to host a dedication ceremony for the unveiling of a historical marker at the gravesite of Alice Scott Abbott, a local suffragist who fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote.

Historic marker program celebrates local Suffragist Alice Scott Abbott (news-journalonline.com)

Historic marker program celebrates local suffragist Alice Scott Abbott (Palm Coast Observer)

Alice Scott Abbott Marker Adds to Flagler County’s Historic Assets – Flagler News Weekly

Friday, August 19 – Lunch and Library Program

Wednesday, August 24 – Smithsonian Museum Exhibit and Lunch

 

April 23, 2022 – Author’s Tea Fundraiser a Success!

Our featured speaker was Sarah Symons, Founder and Executive Director of Her Future Coalition, an international non-profit fighting human trafficking and gender violence with education and holistic support.  Sarah spoke about her most recent book, Standing in the Way:  From Trafficking Victim to Human Rights Activist, written with former trafficking victim Anjali Tamang.  Despite having suffered the most heinous abuse imaginable, Anjali is now working to combat trafficking and protect the next generation of girls in her community.

Although human trafficking is a heavy topic, there was an uplifting side as we learned how Sarah’s organization has educated, sheltered, trained, employed, and provided mental health support to thousands of survivors and vulnerable girls.

Sarah held a book signing and sold silver jewelry which was handcrafted by women enrolled in Her Future’s vocational programs. The Palm Coast Community Center was a wonderful venue and members banded together to provide proper refreshments – tea sandwiches and baked goods. Flagler County Suffragist Alice Scott Abbot, aka AAUW Flagler member Kathy Reichard-Ellavsky, attended to remind us that she led a fight against human trafficking over 100 years ago!

     

April 4, 2022 – In Memory of Arlene See

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Arlene See who had been an AAUW Flagler member since 2011. Arlene was a seasonal resident who divided her time between Palm Coast and Lemont, IL. She made the most of her AAUW membership during the time she resided here. Arlene regularly attended monthly Luncheon Meetings, was an avid reader and member of the Reading Women Book Club and enjoyed participating in Just for Fun outings. She was especially enamored of the Downton Abbey exhibit which we visited at the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine.

Obituary | Arlene Elizabeth See of Illinois | Richard J. Modell Funeral Home & Cremation Services (rjmodellfh.com)

April 2, 2022 – General Meeting

 AAUW Flagler Welcomes Randy Jaye,                   Local Author and Historian    

Randy Jaye who has had a lifelong passion and interest in history, took us on a journey through various episodes of black history from the rural South that featured local historical adventures weaved into broader national and international events. His presentation spanned from the European Invasion of the New World, the Plantation-era South, the American Civil War, Jim Crow laws, the two World Wars, to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.

     

March 31, 2022 – Branch Recognizes Equal Pay Day    

Members of our branch met at JT’s Seafood Shack on March 31 for an Un-Happy Hour to call attention to the disparity in women’s wages compared to what men are paid. Equal Pay Day marks how far into 2022 the average U.S. woman had to work in order to catch up with what the average man earned in 2021. In 2021, the average U.S. woman was paid only 83 cents for every $1 paid to the average man.  We wore RED to symbolize how far women are “in the red” with their pay.     

March 29, 2022 – Fashion Show Fundraiser

Our Fashion Show Fundraiser at Chez Jacqueline on March 29 was a SUCCESS! Between ticket sales and raffle basket drawings we made $750. Kudos to our five members who showed off their modeling skills as they strode the runway and especially to Sally Smeaton who took her modeling responsibility so seriously that she arrived at Chez Jacqueline ready for duty almost straight from the hospital following a week-long stay. Much appreciation goes to Chez Jacqueline, a wonderful supporter of non-profits in our community. The venue, drinks and snacks are offered free of charge providing an opportunity for organizations to fund-raise for their causes.

Thanks to Sherri Barnett for taking the lead on this fundraiser!

March 2022 – Tech Trek Campers Announced

March 12, 2022 – General Meeting

Local Suffrage Research Presented for Women’s History Month

                                                                                            Kimble Medley, a branch member and local author, discussed her journey in writing her book, Suffrage, Women & Untold Stories, and shared photos that offer a glimpse of Woman Suffrage in our county. Kim’s research for the branch’s celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment led to the discovery of more than 200 Flagler County women, including over 50 African American women, who registered to vote for the November 1920 General Election.

When Alice Scott Abbott, Flagler County’s suffragist, came to light, Kim spearheaded efforts to have Alice added to the National Votes for Women Trail and the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. She also worked toward recognizing Ms. Abbott’s final resting place with a commemorative marker by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.  Kim also joined other branch members to present a revised version of the skit, “Women Won the Vote: How Did That Happen,” first brought to life by long-serving member Muriel Levy.                                                                               

                                                         February 22, 2022                                                                                AAUW Flagler Participates in Inaugural Meeting of Flagler County Cultural Council

Our branch was represented at this community event at the African American Cultural Society.  We increased awareness of our organization as well as our joint project with the Flagler County Historical Society to raise funds to purchase the 1916 Seventh Day Adventist Church building in Espanola, move it to its original location in Bunnell, and turn it into a Florida Women’s Voting Rights Museum.

New cultural council will act as sole arts agency for Flagler County | Palm Coast Observer

February 12, 2022 – General Meeting

Michael Butler, Ph.D., Kenan Distinguished Professor of History, Flagler College and Regina Phillips, Executive Director of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center spoke about the Contextualization of Confederate Iconography.  In the aftermath of the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, cities throughout the South debated the meaning and relevance of Confederate monuments that occupied prominent public spaces. St. Augustine was no exception, and city leaders formed a committee to contextualize a structure dedicated to the memory of those “who gave their lives in the service of the Confederate States.” Dr. Butler and Mrs. Phillips were selected as two of the seven committee members. Their presentation told the story of the Contextualization Committee’s formation, findings, and recommendations. Most importantly, the experience demonstrates how nostalgia, memory, and identity pervade public discourse concerning uncomfortable historical truths.

January 8, 2022 – General Meeting

 

Dr. Mary Gatta, Associate Professor of Sociology at the City University of New York, discussed her current work regarding the multiple challenges facing Generation X women (those born between 1965 and 1980), who are in the middle of their careers.  They are navigating work, family and aging.  Her presentation shared the economic state of Generation X women, the way gender roles are changing, and the key challenges this group is facing as they approach retirement age.