2022 Making Democracy Work Award

Maryellen Gordon received the 2022 Making Democracy Work Award. Maryellen has been a member of the St. Petersburg chapter since 2017 and has been extremely active in our league as a Voter Services chair and volunteer. She has also served on our board as a director. Maryellen dove into League activities as soon as she joined and has transformed our community relationships and outreach as a result. Without her dedication to partnership building, the League would not have the trust and credibility it currently holds with many of our harder to reach neighborhoods and communities in St. Petersburg. She embodies the mission of our organization; empowering voters and defending democracy. Maryellen used her talents as a journalist to embed herself throughout the community. For example, she worked with local churches, food pantries, and other human services-focused organizations serving the community during the pandemic to make sure that voter information was included in materials. We are indebted to her for her community connection work; she has touched a lot of lives and made immeasurable impact on voting rights and voter empowerment. She has made an impression on  both League members and community leaders:

“Maryellen’s passion for voter’s rights is contagious.   She works tirelessly to build community relationships that open doors for us to do good work in Pinellas County.  I always enjoy working events with Maryellen.” – Heidi Davis, LWVSPA member and volunteer

“Maryellen is amazingly talented in enlisting community partners in our efforts to expand voting rights to all. She is well known and respected in the Black community of St. Petersburg through her outreach efforts. It is a delight to work with her registering and educating voters at events. She has a wonderful ability to engage people in conversation about voting and elections and how important their individual vote can be. She is a special source of inspiration to continue the fight for voting rights for all.” – Judy Gallizzi, LWVSPA member and volunteer

“Maryellen puts in the work! She is what every community needs, someone who asks, what can I do to support you and follows through.” – Veatrice Farrell, The Deuces Live!, Executive Director

“As one of Maryellen’s Voter Services co-chairs, I had the privilege of working alongside her as she led our team of superstar voter registration volunteers and built partnerships with lots of local organizations, including several with whom we’d never partnered before. Her efforts played a key role in helping the Voter Services team continue to establish ourselves as the go-to for everything related to voting in St. Petersburg.  Plus, her passion for the arts and supporting local artists inspired her to bring a uniquely artsy St. Pete twist to some of our initiatives, most famously with that gorgeous pro-mail voting mural on the exterior of the Enoch Davis rec center. Maryellen, thank you so much for your leadership, your passion and your energy. St. Petersburg is lucky to have you!” – Caitlin Constantine, LWVSPA Voter Services Co-Chair and Election Protection Co-Chair

“Her enthusiasm is unbounded and unstoppable. When Maryellen leads, others want to join. She has a way of making the most mundane tasks into an enjoyable venture. Maryellen is a joy to know.” – Robin Davidov, LWVSPA First Vice President, Voter Services Co-Chair, Candidate Forums and Speakers Bureau Chair

“An inspiring human, passionate about human rights and our democracy.  She has interacted and has been so very good at meeting and working with our community, building relationships with our partners. Her work and organizational skills has allowed our League to become, I believe, better known, more productive and respected throughout St. Petersburg.” – Betsy Wells, LWVSPA Board Director, Voter Services member and volunteer

“Maryellen Gordon is someone who understands that what makes democracy work is grassroots community collaboration. Not only does she understand this, she knows how to do it — and do it well. She has proactively and intentionally expanded our League’s network of community partners to reach entire groups of voters who our voter outreach and education was not previously reaching. She has worked with artists, with faith communities, with local markets and festivals, with other nonprofits…and so many more. Cultivating and developing relationships that help us achieve our missing to empower voters. And while doing all of this, she has ALSO made sure that our voter registration teams were trained and following the highest level of League accountability standards while out at dozens and dozens of community events. Maryellen Gordan helps make democracy work in St Pete and she is an invaluable asset to our League’s mission.” – Amy Keith, LWVSPA Second Vice President, Voter Services Co-Chair, Election Protection Co-Chair, Voter Guide Chair

“Congratulations for winning such a prestige award. You have always been exceptionally dedicated to the cause of human rights and universal values, and have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement and defense of the citizens of St. Petersburg.  You have taken a leadership role to overcome hardship and obstacles to improve human rights conditions for the people in St. Petersburg, taking into account the degree of risk, negative consequences and sacrifices you have encountered   You have had a profound social impact on me  and have been an inspiration to me, and to others for creating an enabling environment in which we all are respected, and willing to communicate with you openly and honestly.  Lastly,  you have taken innovative and courageous actions to address, monitor, and support human rights  and to raise awareness of and aim to eliminate all discrimination and injustice against ethnic minorities, women, and children. Your efforts and work have significantly contributed to the development of a sustainable social movement in the City of St. Petersburg!!!!

I thank you and I appreciate you!!” – Dr. Loretta Caldwell-Thompson