PBC NOW Brainstorming Meeting, January 10, 2025

This was our first PBCNOW meeting with other women-focused organizations and individuals on 1/10. As we move into the challenges of 2025, we recognize the need to increase communication and collaboration. Thanks to the individuals and groups who participated and / or sent information.

NOW focuses on 6 core issues so we are particularly interested in partnering and promoting events & groups around the following:

Reproductive Rights and Justice
Economic Justice
Racial Justice
Constitution Equality (also Legal & Legislative)
LGBTQIA+ Rights
Ending Violence Against Women

Postcard Party, October 3, 2024

20+ folks signed off on almost 1,000 postcards! Thanks everyone! Thanks especially to PBC NOW Treasurer, Janet Clark, who orchestrated and organized all these important gatherings!

Postcard Party at Compass Community Center, Sept 5, 2024

30+ folks, including CEO Julie Seaver, participated in a very successful Postcard Party! We hope to see you at the next event!

Women’s Equality Day, Women WILL Save Democracy, August 26, 2024

Another inspiring event with 100+ attending! PinkSlip Duo music, socializing and refreshments.

Mayor Maria Sachs was the superb mistress of ceremonies!

Bella Abzug Award winner: Felicia Goldstein presented by Senator Lori Berman

Award plaque presented to Francine Sachs by Mona Reis

Speakers included Congresswoman Frankel, Ana-Maria Acosta for Harris/Walz campaign, Kathi Gundloch President PBC League of Women Voters, Laura Goodhue from Planned Parenthood to ‘VOTE YES ON 4’, PBC NOW President Sheila Jaffe and Graphic Designer Bob Jaffe urged men to step up. We were delighted that some endorsed candidates could join us! Check our WiN NOW page names and information: 2024 Endorsements

The Pink Slip Duo is South Florida’s go-to, progressive band. For 15 years they have presented their musical lecture sing-along programs at playhouses, FAU lifelong learning, and community clubhouses for progressive events. http://PinkSlipBand.com

Postcard Party, August 17, 2024

We alerted folks that their signatures on a petition did not match the one on file with the Supervisor of Elections. We will hold more Postcard Parties in September and October. Join us next time!

Memorial for Rabbi Barry Silver, April 20, 2024

Over 100 people participated in the event. Thanks to Mayor Sachs, Mark Offerman, and our team for pulling together for this. Inspiring music was provided throughout by Pink Slip, Cecilia St. King, and Cantor Carol Garrett. May Rabbi Silver’s memory be a blessing. He taught us all so much.

BIG Rally in Orlando to End the 6 Week Abortion Ban! April 13, 2024

PBC PRIDE Parade and Event, March 24, 2024

Although Saturday was postponed due to heavy rain and the threat of thunderstorms, this year’s PRIDE was another successful event!!!

PBC PRIDE Event and Parade, March 25-26, 2023

PBC NOW 50 Anniversary Proclamation, March 14, 2023

From The Sachs Sentinel (sign up for email here):

“At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on March 14, Vice Mayor Sachs presented a proclamation recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Palm Beach Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW).

Since its formation in 1973, the Palm Beach County Chapter of NOW has been fighting for the rights of girls and women, and for basic human rights for everyone. This chapter has become the largest and one of the most active NOW chapters in Florida since its creation by professors at Florida Atlantic University and other community activists. This chapter was instrumental in establishing Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, a permanent injunction against blockading women’s health facilities in 1989, and initial steps leading to the 1998 Faragher decision by the U.S. Supreme Court establishing employers’ responsibilities regarding sexual harassment. The members and board founded the Feminist Scholarship Fund, Families Against Court Travesties (FACTS) Court Watch and WiN NOW Women’s Issues Now.”

PBC NOW 50th Year Anniversary + Feminist Awards Ceremony, February 12, 2023

Feminist of the Year
Rabbi Barry Silver, Esq.

Blood, Sweat and Tears Awards
Janet Clark
Bob Jaffe

https://youtu.be/DCMgpDc7iCI

Women’s Equality Day, August 27, 2022

Held at the Delray Beach Library in person and on Zoom.

Generations of Feminists !

From our intern, Emma, about her family.

Reproductive Freedom Rallys in WPB + Delray Beach, June 24-26, 2022

From WPTV.com:

https://www.wptv.com/news/palm-beach-county/north-palm-beach/pro-choice-advocates-spread-their-message-in-north-palm-beach

Reproductive Freedom for All! Rally, Delray Beach, May 14, 2022

The crowd was 500-600 strong and energetic! Let’s keep up the momentum!

Parents + Children Zoom Panel, May 1, 2022

A Proclamation to Recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the State of Florida, April 26, 2022

From Senator Berman’s Newsletter: ‘It was an honor to join Palm Beach County Victims’ Services during their “Ceremony in the Garden” to support survivors of sexual assault/violence. We must always “Start by Believing”.’

Pictured from left: Janet Clark (PBC NOW Treasurer), Kat Duesterhaus (FL NOW Communications Director), Nicole Bishop (Director PBC Victims’ Services), FL Senator Lori Berman, Sheila Jaffe (PBC NOW Membership Director)

Feminist Awards Picnic, March 20, 2022

80+ of us celebrated a wonderful Feminist Awards picnic!

PBC PRIDE, March 26-27, 2022

Guardianship Zoom Panel, Dec. 7, 2021

Demonstrating for Waking Up Family Courts, Nov. 18, 2021

Our Webinar “The Domestic Violence Epidemic and How to Prevent It” was a Success on Oct. 23, 2021

Click here to view the Zoom webinar. (1 hr, 28 min)

Rally for Reproductive Rights, October 2, 2021

Our table in WPB

Great Turnout in WPB

Almost 500 Participated in Delray with Terrific Signs

We Celebrated Women’s Equality Day on ZOOM, August 21, 2021

Meeting Recording (1 hr, 26 min):
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/PbdQtL1vb-8TJ56vjxx5Lvwd8bSvXvQRJeNi8vKq4vW2QhhduQ9ThRZBzPG9HF_G.AmLT84rwNYHtnian

PBC Juneteenth Celebration, June 19, 2021

PBC NOW was proud to support and attend the Celebration!

Pride Market, June 5, 2021

It was a beautiful day with 90+ tents offering shade to vendors and hundreds of visitors. Everyone who approached the PBC NOW and FAU NOW tent at the PRIDE Market wanted to purchase a t-shirt!!! FAU NOW t-shirt “Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic, when you could just be quiet?” And of course, the FAU NOW stickers attracted everyone’s attention!

It was an excellent venue for conversations. Congresswoman Frankel stopped by and so did Lake Worth Beach’s Mayor Betty Resch. In addition to PBC NOW and FACTS brochures, we also distributed 20+ FAU Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies brochures to interested folks. A great day!

Webinar May 22, 2021: Punishing the Victims: How the Courts Re-Victimize Families When They Report Abuse

View the Webinar held on May 22, 2021

“PUNISHING THE VICTIMS: HOW THE COURTS RE-VICTIMIZE FAMILIES WHEN THEY REPORT ABUSE”

Panelists:

Jessica Ticktin, former Judge

Robyn Weiss, Family Law Attorney

Adele Guadalupe, FACTS founding member

Melina Markos, Domestic Violence survivor and advocate for families as CRPS

Sienna Osta, Attorney and DV Survivor

Adrianne Pugh, DV Survivor; moderator

Cathie Rockwood, DV Survivor

Moderators of Questions:

Sheila Jaffe, FACTS founding member

Natalie Andre, FACTS founding member

To bring attention to the issues, PBC NOW and FACTS held a demonstration against court handling of domestic violence on May 13.

View video interviews

Earlier this year, USA Today published an investigative series titled “Florida blames mothers when men batter them – then takes away their children”. It focused on the child welfare system of Florida, exposing a well-established practice of removing children from mothers who seek help from an abusive relationship. Families Against Court Travesties, Inc. (FACTS), being committed to educating the public on these issues, is continuing the conversation with a panel of Family Court officials and litigants, set for May 22. FACTS was created by NOW board members in 2003 and continues to observe proceedings in both Family and Dependency Courts.

Outstanding Feminist of the Year Award of 2020 + 2021: PBC Commissioners Melissa McKinlay and Maria Sachs

The awards were presented at the County Commissioners Meeting on Tuesday February 2, 2021.

PBC NOW board member Michelle Damone presented the awards for Outstanding Feminist of the Year, 2020 and 2021.

PBC NOW Board Member Michelle Damone presents the 2020 award to PBCounty Commissioner Melissa McKinlay

PBC NOW Board Member Michelle Damone presents 2021 award to PBCounty Commissioner Maria Sachs

2020 Black History Month Panel

NOW PBC Program for Black History Month: Saturday, February 29, 2020, Delray Public Library, 100 Atlantic Ave., 11:00-12:30.

A panel of diverse PBC Black Women spoke of their personal and professional experiences and addressed the issues they face in today’s social climate in Florida. We went into overtime with many insightful exchanges!

Moderator: Ms. Marion Dozier

Panelists: Edith Banks, Sierra West, Rea Wynsome McLean,

and Denise Coleman Albrillon

Jim Bonfiglio, on the left holding an ERA round, is a long-time NOW member

National Day of Action to Stop Abortion Bans, May 21, 2019, Delray Beach

125 demonstrators participated in the National Day of Action to Stop Abortion Bans on May 21^st. They gathered at 5:00 PM in Delray Beach in front of the County Courthouse. The indefensible attacks on women’s choice and women’s right to protect their reproductive health were addressed from different perspectives. We heard strong legislative messages from FL Senator Lori Berman, Congresspersons Lois Frankel and Alcee Hastings, Dr. Joan Waitkevicz spoke from her medical expertise, and Rabbi Barry Silver invited faith leaders Pastor James Copas and Buddhist Monk Kathleen Bishop Shokai who moved us with their ardent insistence on the aspects of freedom. Others who expressed their concerns and told their stories were Lori Mosher, Claudia Mendoza, and Michael Cantrell. Special thanks to Mark Offerman for designing our flyer, securing police protection and providing equipment, all within 3 short days.

We have a large collection of photos as well as two videos courtesy of Rolando Chang Barrero via the Hola Palm Beach Talk Show! Here is the album, which is also on our Facebook page:
Photos: National Day of Action, Delray Beach

Pride Fest 2019

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All People’s Day, March 24, 2019

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Joan W. and Lindsay B. the Rally to protest Session’s firing at the WPC Courthouse, early November 2018

Immigration Panel, April 21, 2018

The Palm Beach County Chapter of the National Organization for Women hosted an important program, Immigration: Everybody’s Issue on Saturday, April 21 at the Delray Beach Public Library at 100 West Atlantic Avenue from 11-12:30 PM. We assembled an extraordinary panel who form the Palm Beach County-Coalition for Immigration Rights:

Julia Montejo, a Dreamer who can speak to her status and the turmoil other DACA families are currently enduring.
Victoria Mesa-Estrada, Attorney at Law for Florida Legal Services .
Adriana Gonzalez, Attorney for Personal Injuries.
Barbara Eriv, Chair of the LWVPBC Immigration Committee.

Due to decades of a broken system of immigration in our country and an ugly history of discrimination, the rights of immigrants have been severely compromised. This dire situation has been shamefully exacerbated by the Trump Administration’s cruel tactics of xenophobia, mass deportations, and unchecked abuse from federal officials, and much more. It is imperative for all of us to become aware of the unique abuses suffered by immigrants, particularly women, in the political, economic, labor and social spheres in FL and across the U.S today. To help us understand how we can support legislation to protect immigration rights.