2021-2022 Board Member and Officer Biographies
Dr. Elizabeth Bennion, Director of Voter Services and Education
Elizabeth Bennion serves as an officer of the League, as the Director of Voter Services and Education. Dr. Bennion is also Professor of Political Science and Director of the American Democracy Project (ADP) at Indiana University South Bend.
Working with the League and the ADP, Dr. Bennion organizes and moderates issue forums and candidate debates for local, state, and national offices. Her work on campus and in the community has been recognized by numerous grants, fellowships, and awards, including multiple campus-wide teaching awards, statewide service awards, and national leadership awards, each recognizing her outstanding contributions to civic education and the scholarship of engagement.
Dr. Bennion’s teaching and research focus is on American political behavior, with an emphasis on civic education and engagement. Her scholarship has been published in numerous books, academic journals, and professional newsletters. She is currently working on several research projects, including a book on teaching civic engagement globally which is a follow-up to her first two co-edited books on teaching civic engagement across subfields and disciplines in the United States.
Professor Bennion lives in South Bend with her husband and four children, all of whom enjoy attending League functions and going to the polls together on Election Day.
Kelly Sanford, Assistant Treasurer
Kelly Sanford has been appointed to the Board and will serve as Assistant Treasurer in anticipation of becoming Treasurer at our next Annual Board Meeting when Glenda Rae Hernandez will retire. Kelly has been a member of the LWV since 2008. Kelly has served on the local board and that of LWV Indiana and is a past co-president of LWV South Bend Area.
A nonprofit professional, Kelly is Vice President of Grant Administration at YWCA North Central Indiana, where she oversees approximately 30 state and federal grants and contracts. It’s a good thing that she enjoys both research and writing. Kelly is a lifelong resident of South Bend. In her spare time, she likes to antique and sails on Lake Michigan or Diamond Lake.
Marti Heline, Director
Marti Goodlad Heline has been on the LWV board for several years and is co-chair of the membership committee with Judy Bradford.
Marti became involved with the League of Women Voters after 35 years as a newspaper reporter in Muncie and South Bend. Most of that time was with the South Bend Tribune covering courts, legal affairs and local government.
She was attracted to LWV because it is nonpartisan and because of its important work registering and educating voters, sponsoring candidate forums, and advocating for issues important to preserving citizens’ rights and open government. Marti served as nominations chair and joined the fundraising/Friend-raiser committee before her election to the board of directors in 2011. She was League secretary from 2017-19. Her favorite League activity is registering new voters. Marti recommends attending League state meetings to understand the impact of LWV beyond the local chapter.
Marti continues to work part-time as an event specialist at Sam's Club and occasionally freelance writes. She is president of the South Bend Press Club, for which she is a long-time board member. She and husband Tom have two grown daughters: Laura, head athletic trainer at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, and Amy Slav, marketing director at Wag’n cTails Mobile Conversions, Granger. Amy and husband Jared are parents of 3-year-old grandson, Dominic.
Glenda Rae Hernandez, Treasurer
Glenda Rae Hernandez has been involved in the League of Women Voters since 1981 when she first joined. She served as President from 1987 to 1993 and Treasurer from 1993 to the present. She served on the State Board from 1995 to 1997 and was their representative to the Gender Fairness Coalition.
She also served a year on the State Board as Assistant Treasurer, responsible for the LWV Indiana Education Fund. Glenda Rae is also involved in the Michiana Peace and Justice Coalition and the South Bend Human Rights Commission as a Commissioner since l984. In that position, she coordinates the annual “Little Taste of Peace” discussions for the MLK celebration each January and organizes the Study Circles on Race held in February and March each year. However, the study circles in 2020 had to stop abruptly due to the coronavirus pandemic, and no study circles have been held so far in 2021.
LaQuita Aldridge Hughes, Director
LaQuita Aldridge Hughes is a South Bend native and graduate of Clay High School. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Bethel College as well as an Associate’s Degree in Theology from Bethel College. She has several certifications, the most recent being the completion of Spark Entrepreneur Program, (Women’s Entreprepreneur Initiative or WEI) at Saint Mary’s College and Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) SPARK. She is also a Licensed and Ordained Minister and serves as the Chaplain at Iota XI Sigma Gamm Chapter – Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. In line with this is also her social media ministry, Tea and Testimony. She is the owner of Milestone Academy Daycare.
LaQuita’s mission is to assist youth in the inner City as well as offer direction to women who are trying to heal from loss or other traumas. Her employment history has afforded her an opportunity to work directly with children and women with emotional issues.
LaQuita has been very active in community affairs and is affiliated with numerous community service organizations. She has served on the Community Relations Committee of the Common Council, City of South Bend; Mentor and Volunteer for Youth Programs at the Martin Luther King Center; National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Cofounder and Member; Volunteer for Mama’s Against Violence; Volunteer Advocate for IN Source, Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs; Volunteer Advocate for St. Joseph County S.O.S. Sex Offense Services, St. Joseph Hospital and several other community initiatives.
LaQuita has extensive experience in project organizing and fundraising; case management and counseling; supervision and leadership; program creation and grant writing; and is exceptionally comfortable with in-home visiting both appointment and cold calling. Her employment history includes Family Consultant, LifeLINE Youth & Family Services, Inc., Program Assistant and Mental Health Technician at OakLawn, Regional Specialist, INSOURCE, and Para-Professional and Substitute Teacher at South Bend Community School Corporation. All positions have strengthened her abilities and comfort in working with children, youth and adults, especially women who are in need of emotional and mental health wellness. LaQuita is the mother of two sons and proud grandmother of four grandchildren.
Mary McAfee, Director
Mary F. McAfee received a bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University. She was also awarded a political leadership fellowship from Michigan State University. Mary possesses numerous certifications; SHRM certificate from Indiana University, Real Estate Certification from Meredith & Associates, CCAR (Recovery Coach Certification) from the state of Michigan. Mary received the POWER certification (Women’s Business Certification) from Corner Stone Alliance, and certification from Michigan Association of School Boards. She possesses certifications in; Housing Urban Development, FAN—Families Against Narcotics, VIP-volunteers In Probation- along with 25 short term certificates focused on working with Hard to serve & At-risk populations.
Community involvement- Current: Mary is a member of League of Women Voters, & Indiana Black Expo. She also serves in an Entrepreneurial Fellowship at University Notre Dame.
Community involvement-Prior: Mary was the first Black Woman Elected to Niles School Board of Education (3 terms). Mary has also served on; YMCA-Board of Directors-Niles, Michigan. She was a Notary Public- state of Michigan, President of Asa Phillip Randolph Institute( Southwest Michigan Chapter), team member of ALPACT (Advocate Leaders for Police & Community Trust) of Southwest Michigan, Vice-President of Berrien County Association of Churches, Housing Resource Network-community Liaison, Michiana Literacy Council volunteer coordinator, Big Brother & Big Sisters of Niles, Capstone for Kids- Benton Harbor, Michigan, volunteer, and a member of CWCC initiative with Cornerstone Alliance & Whirlpool Corporation.
Copyright- Certificate of Registration- 9Txu 685-8000- Fresh start a structured curriculum program. Mary- wrote & patented/copyrighted the Fresh Start Program. Fresh Start: a pioneer program designed to assist expelled students from grades k-12 to earn their way back into the school system and graduate from High School. Fresh Start ran for 17 years with at 98% graduation success rate.
Non-Profit Founder- Mary founded the Multicultural Involvement Council; Mission statement; “To affirm the Supreme Worth of Every Individual.” M.I.C. served as the governing body for the Fresh Start Program. M.I.C. also served as referral & resources component to economically disadvantaged families.
Career record- Mary currently serves in an Entrepreneurial Fellowship at the University of Notre Dame, Keough School of Global Affairs-Community Boot Camp for Entrepreneurs.
Prior Career Positions -Property Manager- - Mary worked as a Property Manager under the dept of HUD @ Housing Authority South Bend, Benton Harbor Housing Commission, & Continental Management. She’s also worked in Market Rent Property Management at Castle Point Apartments.
Project Director- Mary worked as Project Director for the Fresh Start Program. She was also project director for Summer Youth Employment Programs under the Job Training Partnership Act. She ran programs in Berrien, Cass, & Van Buren counties.
Program Manager- Mary worked as Program Manager- Lake Michigan College, where she ran the first Youth Build Program in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She’s also managed numerous programs under the Workforce Investment Act & Workforce Development in the Indiana & Michigan; She worked as; employment recruiter, job club instructor, Life skills Instructor, employment & training advisor, job developer, OWESAM Representative. Mary also served as liaison for economic development & community colleges (Berrien & Cass County Michigan) to develop partnerships for health occupations & skilled trades careers.
Fund Raiser - Mary has been instrumental in fund raising for; YMCA, Fresh Start, Capstone for Kids, Michiana Literacy Council, Families Against Narcotics, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, and Volunteers in Probation.
Community Liaison, Mary served as community liaison for various programs in Berrien County Michigan.
Mary is originally from Missouri, she’s the oldest of 8 children. Mary lived in Michigan for many years. Currently Mary is a resident of the City of South Bend, Indiana. Mary’s Favorite song “What a Wonderful World” (by Louis Armstrong), supports one of her favorite terms is “Unbuntu” which refers to behaving well towards others and acting in ways that benefit the community.
Dr. Barbara Milon, Director
Barbara is an Adjunct Professor for the University of Cincinnati teaching an online course, Housing Systems and Skills Coach for the Bowen Center.
She was endorsed by the Hamilton County Democratic Party and ran for the Cincinnati City Council. She served as the Chairperson for the City of Cincinnati Community Development Advisory Board responsible for Community Development Block Grant recommendations annually in the amount of $14 million to $21 million to the City Manager and Cincinnati City Council. She was twice elected the first woman African American woman to chair the Board of Directors for the Ohio Community Development Finance Fund. She served as Affirmative Action Officer for the Minnesota State Senate District 41. She was a member of the Edina, Minnesota League of Women Voters.
For nearly fourteen years she served as the Executive Director at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center (PWCC) and supported the selection of the organization to become the first community-based pilot in North America for the Socio-Economic Approach to Management. Additionally, in partnership with the Minnesota Children’s Museum she established the first community-based pre-school literacy classroom, the Smart Play Spot at PWCC. She implemented the first Minneapolis Child Parent Center, a collaboration with the University of Minnesota’s Human Capital Research focused on families and preschool children’s education. While working full time at PWCC, she earned her Doctorate Degree in Organization Development from the University of St. Thomas.
She grew up in South Bend, where her parents founded a local church that began in the 1960s and continues to this day, although her parents are deceased. A graduate of Central High School, Barbara was the last elected President of Central before it closed. At Central High School she was the president of Future Teachers of America, and Junior Class President. She was also a Varsity Debater, placing in the Top 10 at an Indiana Debate Tournament held at Purdue University with recognition in the South Bend Tribune.
She attends Unity Michiana church and is a member of its Board of Directors.
Molly B. Moon, Director
Molly B. Moon is a current Director for the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area. She joined the League of Women Voters in 2017, and she was appointed to the Board in 2019. She attended the 2020 LWV National Conference as a voting member. She serves on the local league's Voter Registration Committee.
A 1988 graduate of IUSB (BS in English Literature) Moon is retired from teaching high school language Arts for the South Bend Community School Corporation in both the Adult Education and the School-Age Mothers Program, where she focused her efforts on teaching the students to assess information and information sources for validity and to express themselves effectively.
She is a frequent contributor of letters to the editor and essays on local media. She is a founding member and former board member of the Purple Porch Co-op, which provides the community with access to local farmers and food. A lifelong musician, Moon is active as a singer-songwriter, performing (often in support of a good cause) with her partner Riely OConnor. She is a volunteer garden leader with South Bend's Unity Gardens. Moon's philosophy about government was developed in a bipartisan household with many shelves of books and is still based on concepts she learned in Civics class, such as government by and for the people, separation of church and state, and one person-one vote.
Moon has one son, Robin Pixley, who works at South Bend Woodworks, and three beloved grandchildren. She lives in the Chapin Park area of the Near Northwest Neighborhood and can be found digging in the dirt at the Unity Garden there much of the time.
Geri Pawleski, Director
Geri Pawelski believes the League has a vital role to play in the ongoing work of empowering voters and defending Democracy, and she volunteers to help build and strengthen the League so that members can continue this important work. In addition, League service enables her to personally engage in politics and government in an effective way outside of a political party.
Geri joined the League in 2010 and served as president of LWV South Bend Area from 2013 to 2017. In addition to several years of service on the local board, she has also served on the board of LWV Indiana.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Oklahoma State University and a certificate in paralegal studies from Indiana University South Bend. She has worked as a paralegal, executive office administrator, technical writer, and publicist.
Geri enjoys writing, volunteering in our community, gardening, and pampering two senior kitties. She and husband Dan have lived in St. Joseph County since 1988 and have two sons, Jamie and Matt.
Amanda Parkinson, Director of Administration
Amanda was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and currently lives in South Bend, Indiana. She is currently a senior attending Indiana University South Bend and majoring in Political Science with a minor in History and Psychology.
Starting in the fall of 2019 Amanda was an intern at the American Democracy Project and worked on the Vote 411. The Vote411 is the online Voter Guide that the League publishes because we would like to connect constituents with the candidates running for electable positions. Before COVID 19, during our live debates she was the timekeeper. Her job is to make sure that no candidate spends over a certain time answering questions or speaking on a specific topic, allowing other candidates to have the chance to speak as well. This helps to keep our debates and forums on a timed schedule and to run smoothly.
Amanda is so passionate about civic engagement and civic education is because she would love to leave her son a better world than it currently is today. She believes that if we do not have fair and free elections, the democracy we fight for is invalidated. Her passion is to make sure that constituents have access to the knowledge they need so they can make informed decisions when they go to the ballot box. Amanda joined the League because she wanted to make a difference and to be a liaison to the outer community that has little to no education about political issues, and to register constituents to vote.
Lisa Plencner, Director of Voter Registration
Lisa Plencner has been the Court Administrator for the St. Joseph Circuit Court for seventeen years. Prior to that, she worked as a Felony Secretary with the St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and as a Deputy Clerk for the St. Joseph County Clerk’s Office. Lisa attended Loyola University Chicago and Indiana University Bloomington. She earned her paralegal certificate from Indiana University South Bend.
Lisa is past Co-President of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Indiana and served as President and director on the Board of the LWV of the South Bend Area. She also served with the LWV of the United States as a Ruth S. Shur Fellow and on the Futures Committee. Lisa is on the Board of Pro Bono Indiana dedicated to facilitating the provision of free legal assistance and representation from community lawyers to low-income individuals located in St. Joseph, Elkhart, LaPorte, Starke, Marshall, and Kosciusko counties. Lisa is a former director on the board of Dismas House of South Bend, former board member of the Unity Gardens, and is the former Indiana District 2 Coordinator for the “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution.”
Lisa is a Celebrating Michiana Women Leaders Honoree, and the recipient of the “Liberty Bell” Award from the Indiana Bar Association for community service that strengthens our system of freedom under the law.
Amber Werner Secretary
Amber Werner was born and raised in South Bend. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University South Bend. Currently she is diligently and persistently working on completing her Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University South Bend and hopes to graduate in May of 2021.
Amber started her nonprofit journey in 2009 when she began serving with St. Joseph County Bridges Out of Poverty, Inc. as an AmeriCorps member. It is an understatement to simply say that the experiences and mentors she acquired through National Service changed her life and ignited her passion to find solutions to help vulnerable and under-resourced community members.
Amber currently serves as the Program Director of South Bend Green Corps and the AmeriCorps Program for the City of South Bend. She also sits on the board of the Jubilee Initiative for Financial Inclusion (JIFFI), a nonprofit that envisions a community where all members are financially stable and have equal access to financial resources and assistance.
She also serves as a board member for Emerge Solutions, an international organization created as a network for sharing ideas and best practices in order to close the economic gap by placing an emphasis on collaboration, seeking out and promoting proven solutions, and promoting community engagement to support communities working to advance economic equality.
Amber lives in South Bend with her partner and 2 rescue fur babies.
Beth North, Director
Beth North is Director of Marketing at Force 5, a SB-based, woman-owned, marketing, brand development, and advertising firm. Her marketing career has spanned over forty years, >28 with global healthcare giant Ames/Miles/Bayer. She then worked in Florida for a mid-sized company, then in Ann Arbor for a start-up. Her market focus was the healthcare professionals caring for people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes…glucose monitoring and self-management to prevent complications.
Beth has voted in nearly every election eligible since turning 18 in February 1974. Beth’s a “Keystone Hoosier, with a Buckeye Flavor, seasoned with Wolverine and ‘Gator” – born in Latrobe, PA, where Dad ran for US House of Representatives in 1961 on the Republican ticket. Mom was always a member of the League of Women Voters. Beth’s family relocated to Elkhart, Indiana in the summer of 1966. Upon joining Force 5 nearly eight years ago, Beth joined the LWVSBA and has served to register new voters when the timing allows.
Current Boards: Premier Arts in Elkhart, Vestry, Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church.and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.
Committees: SBSO Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee; South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Chairs the Rotary Rookie Service Committee
Education: Indiana University (Kelley School of Business/Bloomington)
Previous: IU South Bend’s Community Advisory Board for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and School of the Arts Foundation Board for the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts.
Other: Member Rotary Club of South Bend since June 10, 2014.
Hubby of 42+ years, Ned, graduated from the Herron School of Art/Indiana University/Indianapolis; sons DW (now a Major in the Military Intelligence branch of the US Army, stationed with wife and three children in Wiesbaden, Germany) and Alex (Granger resident with wife and son) are IU Bloomington grads; while daughter, Casey, in between holds two degrees from Purdue, and also served her country in the US Naval Reserves before marrying and having two children; she and her wife and kids live in Lombard, IL. Home, since moving back from Columbus, OH in 1987, is in Mishawaka/Penn Township subdivision, Winding Brook Park. Ned & Beth own MTC INTRANS, which Ned has run for 20+ years.