Celebrate achievements of Florida’s indomitable women in March | Opinion

Women’s moment

March is not just a month to mark the beginning of spring; it is also a time to honor the invaluable contributions and achievements of women throughout history. It serves as a commemoration of the fortitude, power and determination of the women who have influenced our world, frequently overcoming formidable challenges.

Throughout its history, Florida has been enriched by the indomitable spirit of pioneering women, whose remarkable contributions warrant recognition and honor. For example, Mary McLeod Bethune was an esteemed educator, civil rights champion, philanthropist, humanitarian, and visionary founder of Bethune-Cookman University. Equally noteworthy is Marjory Stoneman Douglas, an author, journalist, women’s suffrage advocate, and conservationist with an unwavering dedication to preserving the Everglades.

This year’s Women’s History Month theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.” As director of the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), and a woman in America, I know my journey and opportunities have been shaped by the remarkable women who paved the way before me, and I am deeply mindful of the sacrifices that have led to this moment.

I pay forward my thanks by serving the FCHR, which remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion and combating discrimination across Florida through educational efforts and investigating allegations of discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing and instances of state whistleblower retaliation.

I thank the mothers, daughters, sisters and friends who work tirelessly in their communities, effecting change and making a difference in the lives of those around them. I encourage all to reflect on the past and look to the future. Let us dedicate ourselves to building a world where every woman and girl is empowered to chase her aspirations and reach her fullest potential.

Cheyanne Costilla,

executive director,

Florida Commission on Human Relations,

Tallahassee

Crime and bigotry

Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle’s March 5 op-ed, “Prosecutors, critical to public safety, should be paid more,” made a collateral albeit silent point regarding immigrant crime. The recent murder in Georgia has once again poured gasoline on the fire of hatred against immigrants as a cause of increased crime.

Fernandez Rundle points out the decline in serious crime experienced in Miami-Dade despite a huge increase in population, surely a significant portion of which is due to legal and illegal immigrants.

Statistics (notwithstanding Mark Twain’s quotable demonization of them) don’t lie; immigrants commit fewer crimes than the “native” cohort, which makes sense. Immigrants try to avoid getting in trouble lest they risk their ability to stay. Facts, however, rarely get in the way of bigotry.

L. Gabriel Bach,

Key Biscayne

Vaccine basics

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, with support from our esteemed Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been feeding Floridians anti-vaccine rhetoric.

Perhaps asking DeSantis a simple question might put the issue to rest: Are his children vaccinated?

Arnie Gellman,

Miami

Dems in turmoil

The Herald’s March 6 online opinion, “Florida Democrats did some house cleaning. It’s a jolt the party needed,” is spot on. However, I disagree with Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried’s approach of asking for resignations and if not given, suspending county party chairs across the state.

Most people are not aware that we are a volunteer organization receiving no funding from the state or national party. None of the elected officers are paid. We are, however, the only county Democratic Executive Committee that has a paid full time field director, due to our local fundraising efforts.

There is no doubt that a more present and active party in this county is needed, but like all things in life, this takes money, and in a county as large as ours, a lot of it. Without it, creating programs and events to engage voters and recruit volunteers is difficult.

Florida’s Democratic Party has historically been absent in training, programming or financial support and that still has not changed. Removing chairs with no contingent plan in place, leaving a vacuum until suspensions are decided, may and will affect incoming elections. “Cleaning” house and leaving it semi-functional is not the “jolt” the party needs this close to the most crucial election in our history.

Maria-Elena Lopez,

first vice chair,

Miami-Dade Democratic Party,

Coral Gables

Endangered bears

For most people, seeing a bear in the wild is an exciting opportunity to witness one of our most iconic and intelligent animals. It’s also a reminder to take steps to ensure we’re not creating opportunities for conflict, like making sure to bring in bird feeders and that garbage isn’t accessible. These are easy, commonsense measures that keep bears and people safe.

However, our state Legislature just passed a HB 87, a bill that endorses killing bears rather than investing in public education and community programs to promote coexistence. Under this legislation, a person can justify shooting a bear by simply claiming they were afraid or felt “threatened” — vague terms with no evidence required. We can’t shoot our way out of conflict.

Instead, we must address the root causes through education and community programs. This bill does nothing but perpetuate fearful myths and sanction the needless slaughter of bears. Let’s urge Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto this irresponsible and callous legislation.

Leslie Sardinia,

North Miami Beach

Feel the heat

The proposal to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat this summer is dead in the Florida Legislature.

How many outdoor workers will likely suffer and die under record summer heat while our elected officials sit comfortably in their air conditioned offices?

Once again, it’s all about saving employers’ money. Lives don’t matter, only the power of the dollar.

Why should anyone be surprised?

Glenn Huberman,

Miami

GOP’s decline

The March 6 op-ed by Edwin G. Oswald, “Reagan would not be welcomed in today’s GOP,” is an eye-opening, spot- on political statement striking at the core of Trumpism and the state of the Republican Party.

Oswald makes it clear that true conservatism — the belief that America is the bastion of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, all values Ronald Reagan believed in and promoted — are no longer part of today’s GOP. Arguably, the Republican Party died when Donald Trump became its leader.

Reagan believed in NATO and the United States as the leader of the free world. Trump has made it clear he wants to withdraw from the alliance and stands with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the war against Ukraine. The GOP continues to block help to Ukrainian freedom fighters because of Trump and his obedient followers in Congress.

If Reagan were alive today, he would be called a RINO, attacked by conservative media and detested for being an enemy of dictators around the globe. Today’s GOP would turn its back on such conservative political heroes as Sens. Bob Dole, John McCain, Barry Goldwater, Howard Baker, Arlen Spector, Richard Luger and many others, a mighty testament to how low the GOP has fallen.

Edward Blanco,

Cutler Bay

Under threat

Growing up with segregation, bigotry and restrictions to employment, education, housing, and public venues, I appreciate American advances toward equal rights and justice. Many of these historic achievements and democracy itself are under threat by Christian nationalists, not to be confused with Christian evangelicals.

In a recent analysis, the Public Religion Research Institute found a majority of Americans oppose theocratic rule. The study found Christian nationalists make up about 30% of the American population. They are not a religious, but a political movement holding extremely theocratic views, believing the U.S. is a Christian nation and that Christians must take control of all parts of society, government, education, media and entertainment.

The U.S. Constitution promotes freedom of and from religion and the separation of church and state. It prohibits the government from interfering with citizens’ ability to worship as they wish and makes America the greatest, most diverse country in the world.

Karen Adler,

Hollywood

Sober judges?

In 2000, the five Republican appointees to the U. S. Supreme Court (and purported devotees to States’ Rights), stopped our state from counting ballots and anointed George W. Bush as president.

Now, the six GOP-appointed justices are seemingly allowing former President Donald Trump to stall his trial until after the 2024 election.

Republicans have won the popular vote only once in the last eight elections, but their corrupt judges have destroyed the rule of law in America.

James Wilson,

Plantation