Deirdre Macnab

Deirdre Macnab

Deirdre Macnab
Born (1955-12-14) December 14, 1955
United States
Nationality American
Known for Voting rights activist

Deirdre Macnab (born December 14, 1955) is an American women's rights and voting rights activist. She is a former president of the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF)[1] and is currently a member of Florida's Federal Judicial Nominating Commission.[2][3]

Early life and education

Macnab was raised in Manhattan and moved to Florida in 2004.[4] She graduated with an M.B.A. from Columbia University in marketing and finance and a bachelor's degree from New York University[4] in history and political science. After moving to the greater Orlando, Florida area, Macnab joined the board of MyRegion.org, a seven-county visioning coalition in Central Florida and WMFE's Citizens Advisory Board, in addition to joining the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF).[5]

Political career

Macnab became president of the League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF) in 2009,[4] where she spearheaded petitions for fair voting districts in Florida, tax reform and voter protection,[6] and worked towards opening a dialogue with Cuba by organizing several delegations to the country.[7] During her tenure as LWVF president, two state constitutional amendments to end gerrymandering were accomplished in 2010 after 60 years of work by the Florida League.[8]

Under her presidency, the LWVF announced a lawsuit in April 2014 protecting Florida voters from being purged from voter rolls within 90 days of a federal election.[9] The state eventually decided not to purge the voter rolls.[10] Under her leadership, the LWVF eliminated roadblocks to voting by demanding the Florida Legislature re-institute early voting days, and the Sunday before election day, following long delays, including eight-hour lines in Miami, that voters faced during the 2012 Presidential election.[11] The LWVF also pushed for fairly-drawn congressional districts and saw fair districting implemented in 2014.[12]

Macnab was nominated for the 2014 National Slate of the League of Women Voters of the United States, and was nominated for national president in 2015. Her bid for the presidency was unsuccessful.[13]

Her current initiatives include pushing for the implementation of civil citations[14] as a way to curb the school to prison pipeline, and she heads the campaign to take Florida to the number one position in rooftop solar and,[15] harness the sun to truly make Florida the "Sunshine State".

Honors and awards

In 2012, Macnab was awarded the 2012 Florida Achievement Award by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women.[16] The Orlando Sentinel named her the Most Influential Central Floridian of the Year the same year.[17]

In 2014, she was recognized by La Prensa Florida as a Community Champion during their annual Mujeres Destacadas Awards.[18] In 2015, Audubon Florida honored her with the Women in Conservation award.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "As president of... -Deirdre Macnab". Orlando Sentinel. 2014-01-06. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  2. ↑ "United States District Court: Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission 2013-2015". United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  3. ↑ "About Deirdre Macnab". Orlando Sentinel. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Owens, Paul (20 January 2013). "Central Floridian of the Year Deirdre Macnab: League's Leader, Inspired by History, Fights for Votes". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  5. ↑ "LWV Of Florida". League of Women Voters. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  6. ↑ Rew, Jenna (12 October 2009). "Executive Profile: Deirdre Macnab". Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved 15 August 2016. (registration required (help)).
  7. ↑ "Delegation from US's League of Women Voters Visit Cuba - CubaMINREX". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba.
  8. ↑ Klas, Mary Ellen (2011-12-08). "Florida House maps draw near to spirit of Fair District amendments". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  9. ↑ Alvarez, Lizette (April 2, 2014). "In Florida, Bid to Cut Voter Rolls Is Set Back". The New York Times.
  10. ↑ Man, Anthony (27 March 2014). "Gov. Rick Scott's Administration Retreats From Latest Plan to Purge Voter Rolls". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  11. ↑ "Bills would reinstate early voting Sundays before elections". The St. Augustine Record. 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  12. ↑ Muskal, Michael (1 August 2014). "Judge Orders Florida Lawmakers to Redraw Congressional Maps by Aug 15". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  13. ↑ Kassab, Beth (16 June 2014). "National Women Voters League Not Ready for Florida Brand Advocacy". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  14. ↑ "Florida Civil Citation". Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
  15. ↑ Tampa Bay Times: Vote for Amendment 4 and Turn the Lights on for Solar http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/column-vote-for-amendment-4-and-turn-the-lights-on-for-solar-in-florida/2288373
  16. ↑ "Florida Achievement Award". Florida Commission on the Status of Women. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  17. ↑ "Orlando Sentinel's 2012 Central Floridian of the Year is Deirdre Macnab". Orlando Sentinel. 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  18. ↑ "Congressional Record, Volume 160 Issue 31 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)". Government Printing Office. 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  19. ↑ http://audubonoffloridanews.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Audubon_AssemblyProgram_2015.pdf
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