(West Palm Beach, FL – August 25, 2025) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC) is inviting interested members and supporters to two upcoming information-packed Hot Topic Luncheons that will be held at Fountains Country Cub in Lake Worth.

Thursday, September 25 / 11 am to 1 pm

Backslide / Backlash: Where Do We Go from Here?

With Community Engagement Consultant Barbara Cheives

In this new political atmosphere when affirmative outreach is controversial and DEI sensitivities are suspect, what comes next? As President & CEO of Converge & Associates Consulting, the community engagement clients of Barbara Cheives include the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County (she recently joined their Board) and the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, , where she offers training and consulting in workplace communication and race relations, and guides the theatre’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Barbara's consulting expertise includes law enforcement and public safety, not-for-profit organizations, media, education, and corporations. She served as the first Executive Director of Toward a More Perfect Union in Palm Beach County, a non-profit initiative addressing the critical impact of race and ethnicity in a diverse community, is Past President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and is the new chair of the Board of Trustees of St. Mary's Medical Center.

+ Deadline to register is September 18, 2025, at www.lwvpbc.org.

+ $40 for LWVPBC members; $45 for nonmembers

Wednesday, October 22 / 11 am to 1 pm

Insights from Tallahassee

With Florida State Senator Lori Berman (D)

& Florida State Representative Anne Gerwig (R)

Lori Berman is Minority Leader of the Florida Senate, where she represents the 86th district, stretching from Hypoluxo to Boca Raton in eastern Palm Beach County. She was first elected in 2018 after serving four terms in the Florida House of Representatives. A wife, mother, attorney and breast cancer survivor, she is a lifelong Democrat who has fought hard for progressive values, whose priorities include access to abortion, safeguarding voting rights, addressing climate change, and fighting for commonsense gun violence prevention measures.

Anne Gerwig was elected to the Florida House of Representatives last year after serving as Mayor of Wellington (2016-2024) and a previous six years on the City Council. In Tallahassee, the motorcycle-riding mother and grandmother represents Wellington, Greenacres, and parts of unincorporated Palm Beach County, and serves on the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight. In addition, she has served on the board of several local, regional and state organizations, including as past president of the Palm Beach County League of Cities and on the executive board of the Florida League of Cities.

+ Deadline to register is October 15, 2025, at www.lwvpbc.org.

+ $40 for LWVPBC members; $45 for nonmembers

Where:

Both Hot Topic Luncheons will be held at Fountains Country Club, 4476 Fountains Drive in Lake Worth 33467  (South of Lake Worth Road, West of Jog Road)

Notes:

+ Doors open at 11:00 am. The 3-course, sit-down lunch begins at 11:30 am, the program starts at noon.

+ Walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Fee is nonrefundable.

Directions & Parking:
+ Enter the Fountains Country Club from Lake Worth Rd, one traffic light west of Jog Rd.

+  Show your driver's license at the gatehouse and tell them you are "from the League of Women Voters attending a luncheon at the Clubhouse.”
+ Once on the grounds, the Club House is on your right at the large bronze and gold sign.
+ The gate at Melaleuca Lane and Jog Rd is for residents only. If your GPS takes you there, just continue North on Jog Rd and turn left at Lake Worth Rd.
+ If your GPS takes you to the Jog Rd entrance just North of Lantana Rd, you can enter there, but it will be easier for you if you continue North on Jog Rd and turn left at Lake Worth Rd. Then turn left at the 1st traffic light.

+ Self park where available. There is plenty of parking.
+ Enter through main doors under portico.

How to Register in Advance:

Please visit lwvpbc.org.

About the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County:

The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is a nonpartisan political organization of women and men of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. For more information, please visit lwvpbc.org or 

facebook.com/lwvpbc.

Attached Images:

1.            Barbara Cheives

2.            State Senator Lori Berman

3.            State Representative Anne Gerwig

Available for Interview:

Amy Kemp, LWVPBC President

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart, PR-BS

561.756.4298 / [email protected]