The Friends of Susan B. Anthony recently announced that Pam Smith will receive the Susan B. Anthony Award at its annual luncheon on Saturday, Aug. 22.
Smith has a long history of activism for many different causes: women’s rights and health care, anti-nuclear protests and environmental issues. She helped to organize the Southeastern Women’s Health Conference here in 1976, where she co-conducted one of the first workshops specifically on child incest. Recently, she was instrumental in founding Gainesville Women for Democracy, which has over 3,000 members, and is a prime mover in the “No Kings” protests.
This luncheon, which will be held at the Best Western Gateway Grand (4200 NW 97th Blvd., Gainesville), began as an informal birthday party for Susan B. Anthony over 40 years ago and is now held in conjunction with the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Each year, a local woman is recognized who exemplifies the spirit of Susan B. Anthony.
The 2026 luncheon theme is “Our Vote is Our Voice: Women’s Political Power.” The featured speaker will be Dr. Teresa Cornacchione, civic engagement coordinator from the Graham Center.
For further information and instructions on how to register for the luncheon, click here at www.fosba.com or contact Barbara Oberlander at 352-378-6447. The deadline to register is Aug. 15.