Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action August 23 First Meeting of the Treasure Coast LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus Location: Martin Dem Headquarters (611 SW Federal Hwy, Suite K1) Starts at 5:00pm Food and Beverages provided Must RSVP by August 22 for admittance: Email Hank Bonner or Vera to let us know you're planning to attend All Democrats in the LGBTQ+ community in Martin, St Lucie and Indian River counties and Democrats who are allies of the community are encouraged to attend. This meeting's purpose is to give us an opportunity to meet one another and to begin discussing our goals and future as a chapter of the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus. Click here to read up on this state caucus. Thanks to many hostile and discriminatory state and federal policies directed toward the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, this caucus is needed more than ever. Click here to see the invitation that went out to the public about our caucus meeting. August 27 Protest at Brian Mast's Office 175 SW Flagler Ave 11am - 12pm We are joining forces with the local Indivisible HR group to call attention to Mast's support of the illegal and unconstitutional actions of the Trump administration. If you were at the town hall that was held recently, you heard Mast say he unequivocably supports Trump and Musk. Mast is not defending the constitution. He is not representing all of his constituents. Come join the protest. Note the new time is 11am-12pm. Labor Day, Sept 1 10a - 12pm US1 at the MidFlorida Events Center, 9221 SE Events Center Place, Port St. Lucie Carpooling? See below Billionaires are getting all the spoils from the Trump Administration and the folks that make our nation run are getting left out. The wealth gap is wider than any time in history since the Gilded Age. The rich are getting richer and the rest are left with scraps. We know that American Workers matter and a living wage is expected. Stand up to the thriving oligarchy and fight for the rights of the American Worker. You can sign up for the event here. Would you like to carpool from Martin County to this protest at the MidFlorida Event Center? Call the Dem office at 772-221-0405 from 9am - 1pm Monday - Friday. Let the office know your status - either willing to let others ride with you in your vehicle or needing a ride from the office parking lot to the protest. We will try to coordinate. November 15 Reserve your seat at the table now! *****Ticket prices increase after Labor Day.***** Walk-ins not allowed. Must purchase by Nov 1. Current prices are as follows: * Standard ticket = $150 Three levels of Sponsor tickets: * Bronze ticket = $250 per ticket * Silver ticket = $500 for two tickets * Gold ticket = $1000 for four tickets Note: Reserved seating will be provided to Sponsor ticket holders. They will be seated closest to the speaker, and they will also be publicly acknowledged. Buying a Sponsor ticket is a great way to financially support Martin County Democrats! There will be two entree choices for dinner. Please indicate your dinner choice when making payment. Entree dinner choices are: * Chicken with Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce or * Parmesan Encrusted Cod, which comes with a light lemon sauce * A vegetarian option will be available upon request. Please request any other dietary accomodations, such as if you need a gluten-free dinner Two ways to pay: Go to ActBlue to pay online: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/docktails2025. If you're buying a Silver or Gold ticket, in the Comments box please put names of additional guests as well as your choices of dinner. Or pay by check in advance by mailing to Martin County Democrats, PO Box 1497, Stuart, FL 34995 If paying by check, please include a note indicating additional guest(s) and dinner choices. Either way, we hope to see you there! Let's continue to support our immigrant community. Click here to see a list of restaurants to patronize in the Golden Gate area. Share the "Before You Leave Home" checklist with community members. We have some copies at the office. English is on one side, Spanish the other. Hand out "Right to Know" cards to immigrant businesses and others. These are also available at headquarters. Martin County Democrats support the initiatives for the Right to Clean Water and for Medicaid Expansion for Low-Income Residents. However, due to a new law that recently went into effect, we should not be gathering new signatures for the new Florida Right to Clean Water petitions at this time. Medicaid expansion petitions changed on 7/1/25. Click here or on graphic above to see a list of forms available to print. (Forms are available in English, Spanish, and Creole.) Additional info about this petition is available on that website. The new procedure is that we can hand out new blank Medicaid petition forms to voters, but voters must mail in their own petitions. However, we are able to supply them with a pre-addressed postage paid envelope for them to mail. The petitions should be mailed to Florida Decides Healthcare, 3948 3rd St S #26, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. Beginning July 1, we must not collect any petitions signed by voters and signed petitions must not be returned to hubs. They should only be mailed to the above address in Jacksonville. Martin County Democratic Headquarters The Martin County Democratic Party Headquarters is open M-F, 9-1. Located in Northgate Plaza at 611 SW Federal Hwy, Suite K1. Turn off Hwy 1 onto SW McPherson St and park in the large parking lot at the back of the building. Stop by to say hi, volunteer, ask questions, make a donation Quieres... Suscríbete a nuestro boletín de noticias? ¿Unirse a un caucus o club? ¿Ayuda para que los demócratas sean elegidos? ¿Hacer amigos y conocer a sus compañeros demócratas Martin? Complete el siguiente formulario y nos comunicaremos con usted. ¡¡Damos la bienvenida a todos los demócratas de Martin a unirse a nosotros !! ¡Gracias! Mensaje enviado. Enviar

Election Dates and Candidates Overview: Offices up for election in 2026 and election dates Martin County Precinct Maps Click below for u seful Information about each race. Candidate info will be added when it becomes available. Martin County School Board Stuart City Commission Martin County Commission State Offices Federal Offices

Enfrentamos muchos problemas con respecto a la votación y el proceso electoral, como los esfuerzos republicanos para restringir el acceso al voto y suprimir el voto, la manipulación partidista y racial que reduce los derechos de los votantes y la influencia de las grandes cantidades de dinero en la política que corrompen a nuestros políticos. Aquí en Florida, en mayo de 2021, nuestra legislatura estatal aprobó la HR1, que incluye disposiciones tales como restringir el uso de buzones y boletas electorales por correo y prohibir el financiamiento de elecciones para obtener el voto por parte de entidades privadas. Como se refleja en las citas anteriores, el derecho de voto de un ciudadano es uno de nuestros derechos más preciados. Para que nuestra democracia sobreviva, debemos tener elecciones libres y seguras y nuestros ciudadanos deben informarse y votar en todo momento. Todos los votantes deben tener en cuenta estos puntos: Sepa cuándo se llevan a cabo las elecciones y quién se postula. Investigar las posiciones de los candidatos . Asegúrese de estar registrado para votar.

Here are links to local and state resources for accurate information: La guía Voting 101 escrita por el Supervisor de Elecciones (SOE) contiene detalles sobre diferentes aspectos de la votación. Consulte esa y otras partes del sitio web de SOE para obtener información completa. A continuación se enumeran los principales puntos a considerar: Para verificar el estado del registro de votantes: Los votantes anteriores deben verificar su estado de registro de votantes antes de las elecciones, solo para asegurarse de que todo esté bien. Ven aquí: https://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus Es una buena práctica hacer esto varias semanas antes de una elección para que tenga tiempo de hacer correcciones. Para actualizar la información de registro de votantes: Si necesita actualizar su información de registro de votante (cambio de nombre o dirección, cambio de firma, etc.), vaya aquí para hacerlo en línea: https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home Para registrarse para votar: Vaya en línea aquí para registrarse: https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home También puede ir al Centro de Elecciones, el Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados o las oficinas del Recaudador de Impuestos para registrarse en persona. Para registrarse, debe ser ciudadano de EE. UU., Residente de Florida, 18 años o más (puede preinscribirse a los 16), no ser un delincuente convicto o sus derechos civiles han sido restaurados, no declarados mentalmente incompetentes Puede solicitar registrarse para votar en cualquier momento, pero debe hacerlo al menos 29 días antes de una elección para poder votar en esa elección. Para solicitar una boleta por correo: Vaya en línea aquí para solicitar una boleta de votación por correo: https://www.martinvotes.com/ballot-by-mail-request/ Las boletas de votación por correo se envían por correo aproximadamente 30 días antes de cada elección. No se pueden reenviar. Para verificar su lugar de votación (precinto): Vaya en línea aquí para verificar la ubicación de su recinto: https://www.martinvotes.com/election-information/precinct-locations/#Search Consulte con el DEC para averiguar si hay un capitán de distrito para su distrito. Para convertirse en trabajador electoral (trabajador electoral) de la Oficina del Supervisor de Elecciones: Vaya en línea aquí para ser voluntario como trabajador electoral (secretario, secretario auxiliar, inspector, técnico y diputado electoral): https://www.martinvotes.com/election-information/become-an-election-worker/ ¡Siempre es prudente que los demócratas participen como trabajadores electorales! Para obtener una descripción general completa de las normas de votación, consulte la guía Voting 101 escrita por el Supervisor de Elecciones. Be sure you are registered

Martin County Democrats is a website for the Martin County Democratic Party. This is a local Democratic Party organization. Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Upcoming Rallies and other Calls to Action Grace and Banned Books Read all about Grace Linn, our inspirational 102-year-old Martin County Democrat and new member of Martin Dems All Stars by clicking here. July 9 Protest at Brian Mast's Office, 175 SW Flagler Ave, 11am-12pm Join us every Wednesday! For more details, click here. July 11 Full Moon Club 8:30pm - ? Stuart Beach Join us as we celebrate the rising of the rising full moon. Click here for more details. July 12 Adopt-a-Road Trash Pickup 7:00am Come join other Democrats in cleanup of Cove Road. Click here for more details. July 15 Dems Do Lunch 12:00-1:00pm Unitarian Universalist, 21 SE Central Parkway Join fellow Democrats for lunch and enjoy interesting conversation and speakers. Purchase your ticket through ActBlue by clicking here. July 17 Good Trouble Lives On Protest * Corner of US 1 and Monterey Rd * 5:30-7:30pm Join us for this national day of action to oppose the attacks on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration. Sponsored by the Martin County NAACP and Martin County Democratic Party. Nov 15 Docktails on the Green with speaker David Jolly, Democrat for Governor * Monarch County Club * Starting at 5:00pm Join us for this exciting evening. This fundraiser is for the Martin County Democratic Party. More details soon.

Join us on November 15th!! We've changed the location this year for Docktails to the beautiful Monarch Country Club in Palm City, 1801 SW Monarch Club Dr. Our keynote speaker will be David Jolly, who hopes to be our next Governor. The evening will include appetizers, a plated dinner, and cash bar. And very likely a few surprises. Pre-Labor Day prices are $150 for Standard ticket Bronze sponsor for one $250 ticket Silver sponsor for $500 (includes 2 tickets) Gold sponsor for $1000 (includes 4 tickets). You may also sponsor a Young Dem by paying $150 per ticket. Sponsors will have reserved seating sitting closest to the speaker, and they will be recognized during the evening. Please consider a sponsorship level ticket so that Martin Democrats will have the funds we need now and in 2026. Click here to read more details about Docktails on the Green and to pay online through ActBlue. Or pay by check in advance by mailing to Martin County Democrats, PO Box 1497, Stuart, FL 34995. We hope to see you there!

Pague aquí Tenga en cuenta: La información solicitada anteriormente es requerida por ley para contribuciones políticas.

DONACIÓN ÚNICA ¡SÍ! Ayudaré a apoyar la democracia haciendo un DONACIÓN ÚNICA al Partido Demócrata del Condado de Martin DEMOCRACIA PARA LA GENTE FUNDADO POR LA GENTE

Pague aquí Tenga en cuenta: La información solicitada anteriormente es requerida por ley para contribuciones políticas. El pago que se realiza anteriormente es solo para Docktails. Haga clic aqui para hacer donaciones generales no relacionadas con Docktail a los demócratas del condado de Martin.

DONACIÓN ÚNICA ¡SÍ! Ayudaré a apoyar la democracia haciendo un DONACIÓN ÚNICA al Partido Demócrata del Condado de Martin ¡Haga clic aquí para donar hoy! If you prefer to pay by check, make check payble to Martin DEC and mail to PO Box 1497, Stuart, FL 34995 Donate

This is a list of elected officials at the federal level, state level, and local level. Members of the local Democratic Party organization use this list to contact the appropriate elected official. Comuníquese con sus funcionarios electos Federal Expresar condado Municipio FUNCIONARIOS FEDERALES DONALD TRUMP (R) President of the United States Phone: 202-456-1414 (Switchboard) or 202-456-1111 (Comments) Office: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500 Email: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ Official Website : https://whitehouse.gov RICK SCOTT (R) Senador Teléfono: 202-224-5274 o 561-514-0189 Oficina del distrito: 415 Clematis Street # 201, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Correo electronico : https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact_rick Página web oficial: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov MARCO RUBIO (R) Senador Teléfono: 202-224-3041 o 561-775-3360 Oficina del distrito: 4580 PGA Boulevard # 201, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Correo electrónico: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact Página web oficial: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/ BRIAN MAST (R) Cámara de Representantes, Distrito 18 (St. Lucie, Martin y NE Palm Beach Co.) Teléfono: 202-225-3026 o 772-403-0900 Oficina del distrito: 171 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 Correo electrónico: https://mast.house.gov/email Página web oficial: https://mast.house.gov/ FUNCIONARIOS ELEGIDOS POR EL ESTADO Ron DeSantis (R) Gobernador Teléfono: 850-717-9337 Oficina: 400 S Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Correo electrónico: Governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com Página web oficial: https://www.flgov.com/ Volver arriba Nikki Fried (D) Comisionado de Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor de Florida Teléfono: 850-617-7700 Oficina: The Capitol, Plaza Level 10, 400 S Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399 Correo electrónico: https: // Nikki.Fried@FDACS.gov Sitio web: https://www.fdacs.gov/About-Us/Meet-Commissioner-Fried Volver arriba Gayle Harrell (R) Senador, Distrito 25 (Martin, St. Lucie y partes de Palm Beach Co.) Teléfono: 772-221-4019 Oficina del distrito: 215 SW Federal Hwy # 203, Stuart, FL 34994 Correo electrónico: Harrell.Gayle@flsenate.gov Página web oficial: https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/s25 Volver arriba John Snyder (derecha) Cámara de Representantes, Distrito 82 (Partes de Martin y Palm Beach Co.) Teléfono: 772-545-3481 Oficina de distrito: 11700 SE Dixie Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455-5457 Correo electrónico: John.Snyder@myfloridahouse.gov Sitio web: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4787&LegislativeTermId=89 Volver arriba Toby Overdorf (derecha) Cámara de Representantes, Distrito 83 (Partes de St. Lucie y Martin Co.) Teléfono: 772-221-4961 Oficina del distrito: 151 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 Correo electrónico: Toby.Overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov Sitio web: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4728&LegislativeTermId=89 Volver arriba Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Martin Para la Junta página oficial de Comisionados del Condado, haga clic https://www.martin.fl.us/Commissioners . Allí obtendrá un mapa que muestra los 5 distritos, información de contacto de los comisionados actuales y sus ayudantes, y mucha más información. Para enviar un correo electrónico a todos los comisionados usando una dirección de correo electrónico, use esto: comish@martin.fl.us A continuación se muestra una lista de los comisionados actuales que muestran los distritos a los que sirven: Stacey Hetherington (R) - Silla Notario - Distrito 2 - (Este del condado de Martin - Stuart y East Stuart) Teléfono: 772-221-2359 Oficinas del condado: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Correo electrónico: shetherington@martin.fl.us Sitio web: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-2-commissioner Harold Jenkins (derecha) Notario - Distrito 3 - (Sur del condado de Martin - Hobe Sound, partes de Tequesta e Indiantown) Teléfono: 772-221-2359 Oficinas del condado: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Correo electrónico: hjenkins@martin.fl.us Sitio web: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-3-commissioner Doug Smith (R) - Vicepresidente Notario - Distrito 1 (NE del condado de Martin - Jensen Beach, Rio, Sewall's Point, etc.) Teléfono: 772-221-2359 Oficinas del condado: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Correo electrónico: dsmith@martin.fl.us Sitio web: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-1-commissioner Sarah escuchó (derecha) Notario - Distrito 4 - (Oriental Y el condado de Lower Martin - Port Salerno, Tropical Farms, etc.) Teléfono: 772-221-2359 Oficinas del condado: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Correo electrónico: sheard@martin.fl.us Sitio web: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-4-commissioner Edward Ciampi (derecha) Notario - Distrito 5 (Western Martin County - Palm City, parte de Indiantown, etc.) Teléfono: 772-221-2359 Oficinas del condado: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Correo electrónico: eciampi@martin.fl.us Sitio web: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-5-commissioner Volver arriba Municipios Me ncorporated comunidades en el Condado Martin - Haga clic en cada comunidad para su página web oficial Indiantown Isla de Júpiter Brisa del océano Punto de Sewell Stuart El sitio web de la ciudad tiene un formulario que le permite enviar correos electrónicos a todos los comisionados al mismo tiempo. Haga clic aquí para formulario de correo electrónico. En el sitio web de la ciudad se puede ir a la página de cada comisionado y enviar un correo electrónico desde allí o mediante el uso de direcciones de correo electrónico a continuación. Las elecciones para los Grupos 2 y 4 ocurren en años pares. Las elecciones para los grupos Los grupos 1, 3 y 5 se llevan a cabo en años impares. Comisionados actuales de Stuart: Troy McDonald Notario - Grupo 4 Teléfono: 772-228-5312 Oficinas del condado: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Correo electrónico: tmcdonald@ci.stuart.fl.us Sitio web: https://cityofstuart.us/514/Troy-McDonald-Commissioner Merritt Matheson, Teniente de alcalde Notario - Grupo 3 Teléfono: 772-228-5312 Oficinas del condado: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Correo electrónico: mmatheson@ci.stuart.fl.us Sitio web: https://cityofstuart.us/234/Merritt-Matheson Becky Bruner Notario - Grupo 2 Teléfono: 772-228-5312 Oficinas del condado: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Correo electrónico: bbruner@ci.stuart.fl.us Sitio web: https://cityofstuart.us/231/Becky-Bruner Mike Meier Notario - Grupo 1 Teléfono: 772-228-5312 Oficinas del condado: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Correo electrónico: mmeier@ci.stuart.fl.us Sitio web: https://cityofstuart.us/235/Mike-Meier Eula Clarke, Alcalde Notario - Grupo 5 Teléfono: 772-228-5312 Oficinas del condado: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Correo electrónico: eclarke@ci.stuart.fl.us Sitio web: https://cityofstuart.us/232/Eula-Clarke Volver arriba Federal State BOCC Municipalities Contact Your Elected Officials

This is the 5th in a series on Martin County Democrats who have made a difference. Be sure to click on each picture to view in expanded mode with commentary. Also, there are links in blue that provide explanation, so be sure to click on those links too. Tip: If you're using your phone, try to find a laptop or desktop. It's so much better to read this on a large screen! The Amazing Grace Linn In March 2023 a storm that had been brewing for a year thrust then 100-year-old Grace Linn into the local and national spotlight. The year before, Ron DeSantis had signed the "Parental Rights in Education" bill into law - known by opponents as "Don't Say Gay" - that brought about book banning in our public schools. At that time, the Martin County School Board heeded calls of DeSantis and the conservative group Moms for Liberty to object to books that merely mentioned systemic racism, gender bias, and the LGBTQ+ community. This outraged Grace. During the fall, Grace crafted her famous yellow quilt which depicted some of the books that had already been banned in Martin County schools. Word got out about this amazing centenarian and her quilt, and she appeared on Ali Velchi's program on MSNBC. By the time of the school board meeting in March 2023, there were close to 100 books that had been targeted and banned in this county, and Grace felt she had to speak out and address the school board in person. Her friends Michael and Claire Panella , who had helped her research and design the quilt, also played a role in writing the speech that went viral. In her speech she spoke passionately of her first husband, Robert Nicoll, who had been killed in World War II by the Nazis. She made the poignant point that he had died defending the freedoms we enjoy, freedoms the Nazis took away from their own people, including the right to read books. As she said so eloquently to the school board, "Banned books and burning books are the same. Both are done for the same reason: fear of knowledge. Fear is not freedom. Fear is not liberty. Fear is control." After the video of her speech went viral on Tiktok with more than 1.5 million views, she began appearing more on MSNBC and other cable channels as well as local and independent news. Grace was dubbed "Warrior Queen" by many due to her insistence that "we must fight back and not let history repeat itself, we must not allow for censorship, and we must treat everyone equally." This has been her battly cry, and Grace has undoubtedly inspired many by her activism and outspoken support for everyone. If you haven't seen the video of Grace speaking before the school board, click here to view it. Born in the USA Grace’s parents immigrated to America from Italy in the early 1900s. Her father Antonio DeNicola (b. 1890) and her mother Rosa Romano (b. 1896) were engaged in Italy, but Antonio wanted to get established in America first before they got married. He left Rosa and came to America in 1908 where he first joined his brother in Roseto, PA, a town that had been settled by immigrants from southern Italy in the 1880s. He went to school to learn English and eventually became a foreman who specialized in finishing cement. After he felt financially secure, he contacted Rosa to come to America and they were married. Grace was the baby sister to her three older brothers Jerry, Daniel, and Floyd. She was born on October 18, 1922 in Mingo Junction, Ohio, and much of her youth took place during the Depression. She says she learned much from her parents, who were good people who looked after others. She remembers her parents "had a fruit and vegetable garden in their backyard and gave away food to help the hungry. In fact, the sidewalk in front of our home was marked to let the hungry know that this was a place where you were welcomed and could get food." Another way her parents showed compassion for others was that Grace's mother was the local midwife in the area and she sheltered an abused mother and her children in their home for a while. By displaying good character themselves, Grace's parents instilled it in her. Her parents required that every day she had to tell them of at least one act of kindness that she had performed herself on that day. Reflecting on the influence of her parents on her own life, Grace has said, "I didn't become what I am on my own. It was inherited and it was lived with my parents." Grace was very precocious. She quickly learned to play the piano and French horn. Though she entered grade school predominately speaking Italian, she quickly learned the English language. She had read the Bible three times by the time she was 12. She also learned to drive a car when she was 12 (and she still drives today at age 102!). She made excellent grades in school and actually skipped two years ahead, graduating from high school at age 16 with a college scholarship. However, the culture was different then and she was not allowed to go off to college on her own at such a young age – even though her brothers and the other boys in town had been able to do that. That reinforced in her the belief that girls were treated differently from boys - that they didn't have the same rights and privileges. Later, when she started working at a hospital, this became even more evident by the salary she received versus the salaries of the men who worked along side of her. Another lesson she learned at a young age was that being an immigrant caused you to be treated differently. She remembers the insults that were slung her way just because her parents were from Italy and spoke Italian in the home. Having experienced the sting of discrimination first-hand, Grace grew up believing fervently "that all people have the same worth - that they should all be treated equally." It has been her rallying cry ever since those early days in Mingo Junction, and it influenced her decision to make the Banned and Targeted quilt and speak out in defense of targeted groups. Be sure to click on each picture for more details. Quilted front door entrance at Grace's house Grace and Banned Books Mingo Junction 3rd grade classmates Three brothers with Grace Early Married Life After finishing school at 16 but with no college in town to attend, Grace lived at home with her parents and helped them out at home. She also loved to dance, and so she would sometimes go to nearby clubs with her brothers - never by herself - where she could socialize and dance. It was during this time that she danced with Dino Paul Crocetti, who later became known as Dean Martin. Her heart was not taken by the future Dean Martin, however, but by another gentleman she had known since school named Robert Nicoll, who had recently been drafted by the Army. They were married on March 30, 1940 in Mingo Junction. She soon left Ohio for Fort Hood, Texas, where Robert had been transferred. World War II, however, interrupted their time together as Robert was sent to Falmouth, England as part of an ammunitions unit, which supplied armament for the French Resistance, and Grace returned home to her parents in Mingo Junction. But there was one difference from before: Grace was pregnant. Months passed and Grace remembers reading about the horrors of war and fearing for her husband. One day she saw a man dressed in military clothing walking up the street and her heart sank. She suspected that he had bad news to share with her, and she was right: Robert was missing in battle. A couple of months later she found herself in the hospital giving birth to their daughter Nicci. It was only three days later when Grace received a telegraph while still in the hospital confirming that Robert and 16 members of his group had indeed been killed by the Nazis three months earlier in a bombing. Grace 1st wedding Wedding Day Robert and Grace before deployment Grace holds picture Life in Weirton, WV A widow with a newborn and no financial support, Grace went back home from the hospital to live with her parents in Mingo Junction and raise her daughter. A few years later she went out one night to go roller skating - one of her favorite hobbies - and she met a gentleman with striking coppery hair who caught her fancy. Tom Householder was a veteran who, coincidentally, had been stationed in Italy and thus could speak Italian to some degree. They fell in love and eventually married and he was welcomed into the home with Grace's parents. Tom adopted Nicci and they had a daughter of their own named Gloria (Gigi). When Gigi turned 5, Grace decided it was time to get a job of her own. By then, they had moved across the Ohio River into Weirton, WV and she heard that nearby Weirton Medical Center needed an overnight switchboard operator and admissions clerk. One of the job requirements was that you be able to type; however, as a high school student taking college-prep type classes, she had not been allowed to take a typing class. To remedy the situation, she borrowed a typewriter and taught herself almost overnight how to type before she had to report to work. Grace has said, "My roles as wife, single mother, and then mother and wife were my proudest achievement during this portion of my life," but it was time to engage in the working world. She ultimately spent 33 years at Weirton Medical Center. During the early years there, she saw the great need for automatic billing in the hospital. Just as she had taught herself to type, she taught herself computer programming and eventually designed systems that her hospital could use. In fact, she more or less started the computer department at the hospital. She sat in on all the medical committees in the hospital and developed many systems to help these departments as well. In particular, she developed a pharmacy unit dosing and microbiology reporting system which other medical centers all over the world also began using. Grace and her computer system received special recognition by the CDC for this beneficial new technology. In a largely male-dominated profession, Grace also became the first woman president of the Computer Hospital Users Group for NCR and the first woman president of the Federation NCR Users Group. As Grace tells it, in spite of her accomplishments she still did not receive the salary of her less accomplished male workers, thus reinforcing in her the idea that sexism exists in the workforce. Her daughter Gigi has summarized what life was like in the Householder household during much of the time in Weirton: "I arrived home one night at 11:30 unannounced and the driveway was full of both familiar and unfamiliar vehicles. I was greeted at the door by my mother in roller skates, for she was breaking the skates in....I also saw my mother fixing a broken piece of equipment, conversing with a friend in Italian, teaching another how to sew, counseling someone on how to approach a problem, and designing a new outfit for me to wear the next day....That was a typical evening at home where I grew up." She understood well that life at her home was quite different from those of her friends, but she understood how full and interesting life was with her mom. Tom Householder Householder family Grace with her team at retirement Another recognition for Grace Grace teaching computer programming Grace with co-worker before retiring Grace skating Jensen Beach and Married Again In 1987 Grace retired from the medical center - where she had moved from switchboard operator all the way up to Director of Managment Information and Communication - and she and Tom moved to a condo in Jensen Beach and planned to build a single family home in the area. She and Tom led a full life and Grace became involved in the community. Among various activities, Grace took a leadership role in Planned Parenthood and she taught computer skills to adults at one of the local schools. In 1990, one month before they were to move into their new home, Tom died of heart failure. A widow again, Grace moved alone into the home she and Tom had planned to have together, and she still lives there today. For the next ten years Grace worked on fundraising with Planned Parenthood, worked as office manager for Florida Sportsman Magazine Fishing Shows, and became heavily involved in an environmental advocacy group in the area. It was at one of the environmental group meetings that Grace met Fred Linn and, after a brief courtship, they decided to marry - much to the chagrin of the other single ladies in Grace's circle of contacts who fancied Fred. They remained married for 22 years until he passed away from a heart attack in November 2022. During the years before Fred passed, they took in one of Fred's grandchildren and raised him until he finished high school, advocating passionately for a good public education for him. Florida bound Fred and Grace Dancing Queen Country dancer Birthday fun The Kiss 100th Birthday Party Seamstress for life A little whimsy Award-winning photo Friends and laughter Claire, Michael, & Grace Passionate Advocacy It was just a short time after Fred died that Grace's video at the school board became viral. She was beseiged with interview requests from national and local media - MSNBC, CNN, WPTV, Stuart News - you name it. This caught the attention of movie producer Sheila Nevins of Ruby River Productions, and she began to consider making a documentary film on the increasing censorship taking place in schools across the country. She contacted Grace, and after a conversation with her, she knew this spirited centenarian should be featured in her documentary. The result was "The ABCs of Book Banning." The film was well received and nominated for an Oscar for short documentary. Grace was invited to fly to LA for the Oscar's luncheon, where she had the chance to meet movie stars, many of whom already knew of Grace's work. When actress Annette Benning saw Grace, she ran up to her and gave her a big hug, saying she respected so much the work that Grace had done on book banning. Grace later returned to walk the red carpet and attend the Oscar's ceremony. It was the memory of a lifetime. Grace was happy the film got nominated because the publicity allowed her to continue to have an audience for discussing the danger of censorship and book banning. PEN America is a nonprofit whose purpose is to advocate for the freedom to write and they have been especially critical of book bans. This group was behind "The ABCs of Book Banning," and they created a short video featuring Grace. See this moving video below. Likely because of the bullying she received as the daughter of immigrants, Grace has a special place in her heart for all marginalized people. She uses her celebrity status to advocate strongly for equality and acceptance for all. Last year, along with drag artist Shelita Taylor, Grace was the Grand Marshall for the Treasure Coast Pride Parade. She is quick to point out that "some of the finest people I have known in my lifetime have been from the LGBTQ+ community." This is why she was particularly taken back when books began to be removed from school shelves simply because they had a gay character, and it motivated her to speak out strongly on their behalf. At 102 years young, Grace continues to live in the home that she and Tom had built. Coming from an outliers family in Italy, where her maternal grandmother lived to be 115, she exhibits the same independence and health of her forebears. She still drives herself places (even at night), reads and learns, attends Democratic Club, Democratic Women's Club. and Stuart Women's Club meetings, goes to protest rallies, and watches MSNBC and other news outlets to keep abreast of the current political scene. She also continues to quilt, have her tea and Italian cookies at 2:00 pm each day with her friends, regularly attend musicales held by her good friend Dr. Marie Juriet-Beamish, attend the concerts put on by the Altantic Classical Orchestra, spend time with her devoted daughter Gigi, and enjoy the wide circle of friends she has accumulated over the years. There is no doubt that Grace has led an active, full, and curious life and, at 102 1/2 as of this writing, she continues to be a trailblazer and an inspiration to all. Oscar nominated for Best Short Documentary Grace with drag performer Shelita Taylor Grace at the Oscars! 2024 TC Pride Grand Marshall Grace and Susan Callahan Targeted and Banned quilt by Grace Thank you, Grace, for showing all of us that a life full of creativity and positivity, one that has such a far-reaching effect on so many, is a life well-lived. Thank you for standing up and speaking out so eloquently about book censorship taking place in our local schools and communities. Thank you for standing up for the marginalized in society, especially the LGBTQ+, with your words and interactions. Thank you for supporting your local Martin County Democratic Party and bringing attention to our efforts. Most of all, thank you for being you and spreading your light within our community and beyond. For all of this and more, we honor you , Grace DeNicola Nicoll Householder Linn , as a Martin County Democratic Party All Star!!