Honoring Central Florida State Representatives
Each year, March has been nationally recognized as Women’s History Month and March 8th is recognized as International Women’s Day!
This is a time to celebrate the obstacles, successes, and challenges faced by millions of women around the globe. From the women’s suffrage movement to the many advancements women have contributed to society and technology with no recognition, to women fighting for reproductive rights, all the way to women establishing themselves in office — women have always been shattering glass ceilings.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honor and applaud the hard work and kindness that our State Representatives bring to their jobs as they go above and beyond each and every day!
Four incredible women spoke at our Women’s History Month Panel last week and today, we celebrate their work, advocacy, and continued push for change within the Florida Legislature this legislative session and onwards. We also celebrate the work of our fellow media professionals, like Karla Ray, who make efforts to change local news right here in Central Florida.
State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis (D-40) currently serves Florida’s 40th district, works as the Chair of the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and is a licensed attorney and has previously worked as a Senior Attorney for the Department of Children and Families. Representative Davis continues her passion for helping children and juveniles and is currently working to pass HB 1273 which takes steps to reform juvenile criminal justice.
State Representative Johanna Lopez (D -43) was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to a war veteran and a stay-at-home mom—she is proudly Afro-Latino, an evident demonstration as to why representation in politics matters. She has achieved numerous honors through her role as an educator in the Orange County Public School System such as: Teacher of the Year, Educator of Distinction, Governor’s Shine Award, etc. During this legislative session, one of the bills that Johanna is presenting is HB 181, which focuses on the Cost of Living in Florida and Retirement Benefits.
State Representative Rita Harris (D-44) is an advocate, activist, mother, and 22 year resident of the community, who serves as the State Representative for Florida House District 44 and started her activism at Planned Parenthood when she was only in high school. As one of the few people of Jewish descent in the Florida House of Representatives, Rita knows that representation matters and fights for issues that impact everyday people. For example, she recently filed the Gay and Transgender Panic Legal Defenses (HB 393) bill that would prohibit individuals from using nonviolent sexual advances/perceptions/beliefs about another individual.
State Representative Kristen Aston Arrington (D-46) is a champion for the people of Osceola County, as she is focused on fighting for the needs of Kissimmee residents by increasing funding for education, improving our transportation network, providing more affordable housing opportunities, and securing higher wages for workers. Kristen’s devotion to strengthening our small business community has been shaped by her advocacy and work.
State Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-42) is a bold fighter for Florida families and everyday people. Born and raised in Orlando, she’s the daughter of working class Iranian immigrants who came to this country in search of the American Dream, and thus is the first Iranian member of the Florida House. A track record of kind sacrifice, endless hard work, and iron-clad values, Anna is known across the state and nation as a leader who is unbothered, unbossed, and committed to the people of Florida.
In honor of International Women’s Day, let us celebrate the accomplishments and hard work done by our fellow representatives! From last week’s Women’s History Month Celebration and learning more of how we, as women, have made incredible progress with much more to come, rewatch the virtual panel, by heading to Representative Eskamani’s Facebook.