I attended the Democratic Women's Club of Florida annual convention this weekend

[mcar]

I've gone for several years, having been the first elected president of my local club (2018-2020). I love getting together with other women Democrats from across the state.

This year, though, I'll be honest: I wasn't looking forward to it. With all the atrocities happening in this state, I feared a fake "hope" atmosphere. I'm depressed and angry about our poor turnout.

I couldn't have been more wrong. These women, many of whom are Black or POC and older than me (I'm 64), put on an amazing weekend. The speakers were phenomenal, including Rep. Maxwell Frost, new FDP chair Nikki Fried, several state legislators, and Andrew Warren, the Hillsborough Cty (Tampa) DA who DeathSentence illegally kicked out of office. His story is amazing.

Yes, there were low lights - a workshop on 2020 voting/demographics that made me want to cry. But even then, lots of good ideas.

A highlight - a workshop led by 3 young women (17, 35, 38), about how to attract Millenials and Gen Z into the club - again, so many good ideas.

As Nikki Fried said, we have a lot of work to do. But we're not giving up.

Please don't give up on us.

[Deuxcents]

1. This is good to know. Just got a donation request from Nikki Fried..

I’ll take care of that tomorrow. Thanks for your post

[mcar]

3. She was terrific

I'd had my doubts about her during the campaign. But she is all in for Florida Democrats, from the ground up.

[allegorical oracle]

63. She is terrific. And it was refreshing to hear hopeful news for Dems to come back. nt

[Cha]

2. This is So Encouraging, mcar!

Never Never Never Ever Give UP!!

[mcar]

5. Thanks Cha

made me feel a lot better. We've got a big hole to climb out of. But I feel more confident that we can do it.

[Cha]

21. Yes We Can! & Look

at what you're Fighting.. & Look at History & Fascism.. that Never Ends Well even though it keeps Rearing its Ugly head.

Link to tweet

[Lovie777]

4. Cool.........

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. What an encouraging and hopeful post, my dear mcar!

There is obviously much work to do. I'm thrilled to hear that you've not given up.

Neither have we.

[mcar]

7. Thank you Peggy

[Sky Jewels]

8. I think about how, not too long ago,

states like Wisconsin and Michigan seemed like they were gone forever. But they showed that it’s possible to turn things around, especially with Gen Z rising. I wish you and all fighting for the future of Florida a lot of luck.

[NJCher]

13. you never know what's going to happen

things can turn on a dime.

Fortunately the republican party seems to like circling the drain. While we cannot take anything for granted, I do not see Americans electing a serial sex offender. He's racked up 23 offenses. Who knows who else could come forth if E. Jean Carroll gets a verdict.

[mcar]

17. Thank you for this

We have to keep fighting and keep working to engage young Democrats.

[sheshe2]

9. We are not giving up on you, mcar, or Florida.

[mcar]

18. Thank you, she

I get discouraged with the constant "Florida should secede" OPs here. Like we aren't living the horror and trying to change it?

[NJCher]

10. pics

Here's Nikki's Instagram. Lots of good pics, including one of her with President Biden.

https://www.instagram.com/nikkifriedfl/

Thanks for the report, mcar, and thanks for your involvement.

[mcar]

24. Thanks for this

[Baitball Blogger]

11. We need the young ones to wake up the base with their social media skills.

[mcar]

20. That was one of the recommendations

from the Gen Z/Millenial session.

[Mr.Bill]

12. I see an opportunity for Florida to turn around

once Desantis terms out and people realize the wreckage he's left behind.

[Funtatlaguy]

14. Reaching non Cuban Hispanics is priority ONE in Florida for Dems.

[mcar]

25. Totally

[Evolve Dammit]

15. Thank you for that inspirational post. All the best to everyone fighting the good fight!

[llmart]

16. Very informative.

Thank you for your post. I don't live in Florida but my son does and he's been a Democrat his entire life. He gets discouraged at the state of things down there but he's still got hope. It's been said before on here many, many times. The answer to winning is getting out the vote - especially the young vote.

[mcar]

22. The Democratic turnout in 2022 was horrible

Across all demographics, except 70+. It's got to be addressed. Some of the sessions offered good advice.

[NBachers]

19. Florida still has potential. Florida can be turned around. I'm glad the Party is alive & kickin'!

[mcar]

23. So much enthusiasm

We women will not back down!

[DFW]

26. Unlike some

I wouldn‘t think of giving up on you.

No Texas Democrat would!

[mcar]

34. I hear you, DFW

We red state Dems have to stick together and need support from our Blue state brethren.

[DFW]

42. Exactly. We do not need being all labeled Tex-ass or Flori-duh

Jim Carville once came to speak at a TX Democratic meeting I was at, and he joked that when he was asked to speak at a meeting of the Texas Democrats, he thought it would be held in a phone booth. But he was cracking a joke. Some Democrats still seem to take that seriously.

[LymphocyteLover]

27. This is good to hear because I've been really wondering what's going on with FL Dems!

[hay rick]

28. Our DEC is working very closely with the Democratic Women's Club.

We are setting up a program to get Democrats inside gated communities signed up for vote by mail by giving volunteers inside the community lists of all the Democrats in their association plus any materials they need. Both the current president and most recent past president of the DWC are helping to lead our "HOA" program.

[mcar]

35. Glad to hear this!

[Joinfortmill]

29. Excellent. Thanks.

[Mollyann]

30. I live on one of those blue islands in the red sea that is Texas.

We have to keep on fighting.

[Nictuku]

31. Very Heartening!

[thatcrowwoman]

32. Many thanks for this boots-on-the-ground-in-Florida report, mcar.

It’s not easy being blue in the Once~Upon~a~Sunshine State.
Working together and sharing ideas to get and keep folks involved, that’s a good path toward a better Florida.

Wishing you strength and endurance, protection and persistence, camaraderie and progress together. Know that you and your efforts matter.
🕊thatcrowwoman

[mcar]

36. I appreciate this

[mahina]

33. I will never give up on you or any of us

I won’t even give up on the Republicans. We need them to come on over.

[mcar]

37. We can only keep tryong

[mia]

38. Thank you for such encouraging news.

I, too, am in Florida. I hope that our local leaders were able to attend the convention.
You are an inspiration for me to become active again.

[mcar]

40. Please do

Go to dwcf.org and find your local chapter. We need all hands on deck. Plus, being with other Democrats is like a sugar high - you just need it!

[Hekate]

39. TY so much for sharing this uplifting event. I'm not giving up.

[mcar]

41. These women (and men) amaze and inspire me, Hekate

Thanks for not giving up on us.

[malaise]

43. K & R

There is hope - Rec

[Native]

44. Thank you for all the work you yourself have done and continue to do

And thank you for keeping us all informed. We will get through this.

[Phoenix61]

45. So good to hear. I went last year and was underwhelmed. nt

[mcar]

46. I went last year too

and agree. This year was much improved, although there is room for more improvement. The newly elected President has some good ideas for better outreach.

[electric_blue68]

47. Thank you for attending, and giving us a report. Not giving up on you FLA Dems

[mcar]

48. Thanks

[betsuni]

49. Never give up! Never surrender!

Posts blaming a state's Democratic Party for Republican control make me cranky (just saw one): Democratic leadership is bad and makes bad decisions, has "ceded" to the Republicans, there's an endless supply of fantastic candidates able to mesmerize and inspire everyone to vote, but leadership goes out of its way to choose the worst ones. And why don't they just turn on the unlimited funding faucet?

[mcar]

50. They either don't get it

or want something to blame Democrats about.

[Pacifist Patriot]

51. I need to get back into a more active role.

I have not done anything in Florida politics since my disastrous brief attempt at running for office back in 2018. A Democratic women's club might be what I need to step back in. I think there are two or three branches in my county.

[mcar]

52. We would love to have you, PP

dwcf.org has a list of local chapters.

[jaxexpat]

53. Thank you, young lady, for your service.

I expect 2024 to be the year Republicanism is regurgitated from Florida's upset stomach.

Especially if DINOS like Charlie don't run. He confuses people.

[niyad]

54. I refuse to give up on us, including all in the fascist red states. We salute you

all for your courage, bravery, anger, and determination in the face of almost overwhelming odds. I have no intention of letting the WOMAN-HATING, HATE-FILLED, THEOCRATIC, CHRISTOFASCISTS win.

We stand with you, my Sisters! And Brothers!

[Trueblue Texan]

55. As a blue soul from a red state....

...I completely understand the sentiment: Please don't give up on us! I hear so many talk about Texans as monolithic Republican loyalists...but we are diverse--a huge state with millions of Democrats and we need support! I've been fighting this fight a long, long time and so many times I'm ready to throw in the towel. Acknowledgement that we are here and are still fighting helps us hang on and keep fighting! No battle was ever won by abandoning the cause!

[mcar]

56. So true, Trueblue

No battle was ever won by abandoning the cause!

[grantcart]

57. Great update, thanks.

[Saoirse9]

58. Florida resident. This made me happy.

[mcar]

60. Join us, Saoirse!

dwcf.org.

[Saoirse9]

61. I signed up and I guess I am waiting

for an email.

Thanks!

[mcar]

62. ...

[BigmanPigman]

59. Bravo to you!!!

Thanks for posting about the event. All feedback is helpful.

[tavernier]

64. I would have loved to

But I have been in Indiana visiting family since March

Heading back in a couple of weeks and hopefully I can be more involved

[mcar]

65. It's so nice to meet members from other parts of the state

I'd love to meet you there, tavernier!