Club Officers & Board Members
Tess O'Hara, President
Therese "Tess" O'Hara lives in Ocoee, FL. Born in Orange Park, Florida, Tess is a native Floridian and former public school Social Studies teacher. Now living with Multiple Sclerosis, Tess has devoted herself to MS Advocacy and Activism, speaking up for those living with disabilities and chronic illness.
Phyllis Neal-Wilson, 1st Vice President
Phyllis is a 5th generation Floridian, educated in the Public School system and hails from a family of educators.
She is a retired School Administrator. She is a Licensed Speech and Language Pathologist! She is a graduate of Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Masters Degree from University of Central Florida, with further studies at Stetson and NOVA Southeastern. She believes that ALL citizens deserve the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness as guaranteed by the Constitution! The Democratic Party comes closest to meeting her ideals.
Joanne Cobbs, 2nd Vice President
Joanne Cobbs was born in Williamsburg, VA. Joanne relocated with her family to Florida in 1983. nShe has a BA Degree in Psychology from the University of Central Fl. She retired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with a background in Human Resouces & Personnel Management. She is committed to the values and mission of the Democratic Women's Club. Joanne has previously served as President of the DWC of East Orange County, FL.
Judith Blanchard, Secretary
I spent the first 22 years of my life in Minnesota. After graduation from St. Olaf College, I married Doug Blanchard, I taught school in four different states, and, at age 39, I went to law school. I practiced law for 28 years. Doug and I have been married for 57 years. We have two children and four grandchildren. After living in Houston, Texas for 47 years, we moved to Florida six years ago to be close to our son and his family. I was active in the Democratic Party in Houston and find it essential to my well-being to be involved in it here in Florida.
Barbara Shackelford, Treasurer
Barbara Shackelford lives in Apopka, Florida, and was born in Tallahassee, Florida. Barbara is a retired Orange County Public Schools teacher with degrees in History and Masters in the Art of Teaching. Barbara is committed to positive progress, uplifting for the greater good, and investing into future posterity.
Vivian Lyte-Johnson, Past President
Vivian has served 5 and 1/2 terms as president. Vivian is one of our members who attended the very first DWC West Orange meeting June 2016. She serves as the Treasurer for DWCF Region IX and as DWCF Bylaws Chair. She is passionate about helping members of the West Orange Community understand their role as, “Active Citizen,” noted in the Preamble to our Constitution – “We the People come together to form a more perfect union.”
Sarah Wolfe, Grassroots Chair
Sarah is a retired Registered Nurse who dedicated her career to geriatric care until the age of 70. Sarah now resides in Winter Garden. She attributes her vitality to daily exercise, a focus on healthy living, and her passionate advocacy for the Constitution.