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Florida girls face alarming pressures: League of Women Voters and Girl Scouts host community workshop to address crisis

The Girl Scouts, a nationwide partner with the League, released an 80-page peer-reviewed research report called the State of the Florida Girl that tells the story of the pressure Florida girls feel, and the toll it takes on them.

The Broward League is presenting a community workshop with the Girl Scouts to address the issues. Elle Harrigan, chief advancement officer for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, will be keynote speaker followed by a panel of community leaders, including Broward School Board Member Sarah Leonardi and Emilia Vilaire-Monchery, United Way senior director of Community Impact Education Initiatives.

The program is Saturday, Aug. 23. starting at 10 a.m.at North Regional/Broward College Library (Building 62), 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, FL 33066. Contact Bonnie Gross with questions.

The program is FREE and open to all. REGISTER NOW

Margie Rohrbach memorial 2

margie rohrbach and sign 2

Margaret (Margie) Rohrbach

It is with great sadness that we inform our League family that member Margie Rohrbach passed away on Wednesday.

Margaret Rohrbach, born on December 14, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio, passed away on July 23, 2025, at the age of 73. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, mentor, tireless activist, musician, athlete, advocate, inspiration, all-around amazing woman.

League members know her as a joyful person who was extremely active in our League as past Co-President, Membership Chair, Education Chair and Co-Chair of the Centennial Committee. One of Margie's many projects with the League that she worked tirelessly on was the Suffrage Exhibit. We will miss her terribly! Our hearts go out to her husband Ted and all of her family.

A visitation will be held at Kraeer Funeral Home, located at 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064, on July 28, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.The funeral service will take place at the same location on July 28, 2025, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. A graveside service will follow at the same venue on July 28, 2025, immediately following the service. Colorful clothing welcome to celebrate Margie's life.

Here are places the family asked for contributions in honor of Margie:

League of Women Voters of Broward County P. O. Box 15952, Plantation, Florida 33318

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society PO Box 22324, New York, New York 10087

In difficult times, we work and hold on to hope

We are living in a time that is testing all of us. Two recent reports: the State of the Florida Girl and the 2025 Status of Women in Broward County make it painfully clear that women and girls in our communities are facing mounting pressures and unacceptable gaps in support. The Girl Scouts’ new State of the Florida Girl report confirms what many families, educators, and advocates already know: our girls are under incredible pressure, and it’s taking a toll on their mental health, safety, and dreams.

That’s why the League of Women Voters of Broward County is proud to partner with the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida for a free, in-person community workshop on Saturday, August 23 at 10 a.m. at the North Regional/Broward College Library. You’ll hear from youth advocates and community leaders committed to change, including Elle Harrigan from the Girl Scouts and School Board Member Sarah Leonardi.Join us—and invite the young people in your life, and those who care about the future of this generation. This conversation is urgent, and your presence matters.

The urgency isn’t just local. The devastating floods in Texas, which claimed the lives of children at a summer camp, remind us just how vulnerable our communities are when prevention systems are ignored and science is underfunded. Climate change is happening. Delayed action and ignored warnings don’t just cost money, they cost lives. These tragedies demand more than sympathy; they require action, advocacy, and accountability.

In the face of so much loss and uncertainty, we also see hope rising. Jessica Lowe-Minor, recently elected as the youngest president of the League of Women Voters of Florida, is a living reminder that passion and purpose, not age or position, are what define meaningful leadership. Whether it’s advocating for youth, protecting our environment, or strengthening our democracy, one thing is clear: now is not the time to sit on the sidelines. Now is the time to show up—and shape the future together!

With gratitude,

Ally and Suzette

Mini-grants from Education Fund help fuel League action teams

In 2025, the Education Fund began a new program to make mini-grants to support League projects led by the action teams. The following grants were made on July 22, 2025:

$500 to the Social Media team to boost and promote the major activities of the League to reach the community beyond League members.

$500 to the Gun Violence Prevention team to print rack cards and educational materials in three languages for displays in child care centers where we are encouraging families to take and use our free gun locks.

$500 to the Education team to hold a community workshop Aug. 23 with the Girls Scouts of Southeast Florida on the State of Florida Girl, an 80-page report the Scouts produced.

$350 to the Affordable Housing team to support the community workshop Sept. 6 with the Coalition to End Homelessness on the affordable housing crisis.

When you donate to the Education Fund of the League of Women Voters, you are supporting grass roots efforts like these, designed to educate our community about issues.

Issues like affordable housing, our children's welfare and gun violence are all decided at the ballot box, and our voters need information to make wise choices.

Support the League's education work. DONATE NOW

Help plan an important workshop on affordable housing and homelessness

The Affordable Housing Committee has been hard at work organizing “Crisis: Homelessness and the Lack of Affordable Housing in South Florida.” This is a PUBLIC workshop scheduled for Saturday, September 6 from 12–3 PM at the West Regional Library.

This event is being co-hosted with our partners at the Coalition to End Homelessness, and will include a panel, breakout sessions, and opportunities for civic engagement. EVERYONE is welcome to attend and provide input.

We are currently seeking volunteers to support this event through flyer distribution, outreach to elected officials and potential sponsors, and social media promotion. Anyone interested can contact Agustina Sklar at agustina.sklar@gmail.com for more information.

Find your people.

Fight for our future.

When you join the League of Women Voters Broward County, you're showing up for democracy with a community that shares your values.

Where is all the public money for schools going?

At the July 9 General Meeting, Damaris Allen and Ami Welch from Families for Strong Public Schools, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, shared information about public education budget changes, advocacy efforts, cuts to early childhood education, and concerns regarding the expansion of charter schools and voucher programs. Charter School Expansion Bills were explained, and it was pointed out that vouchers now consume nearly one in every four dollars of education funds. Concerns about accountability and misuse of voucher funds were also discussed.

At the federal level, passage of the reconciliation package, which includes a voucher bill, allows a tax credit for Federal voucher programs in states like Florida who have scholarship organizations. An extensive list of educational programs will be “zeroed out” by the President’s impoundment of Federal funds. Florida will lose approximately $400 million; Broward County will suffer a $20 million loss of federal funds.

Overall, the budget prioritizes private education over public education equity. It’s important for everyone to stay informed and advocate for public education. You can learn about recent developments and sign up for “Take Action Tuesday” updates at the Families for Strong Public Schools’ website https://strongflschools.com/.

Watch a recording of the meeting on our YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/b3wor6EDEYY

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Factchequeado is a partner of the Broward League that promotes media literacy and combats mis- and disinformation circulating in Spanish.

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