About Us

Ginette Hughes  has been involved with education since joining Marine Resources Development Foundation’s (MRDF) marine education program in 1986. She has decades of experience working in the non profit sector and is the current CEO of MRDF.

Ginette’s community involvement includes serving on the board of the Upper Keys Sailing Club (Commodore, Treasurer), the local branch of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), and briefly on the Leadership Monroe County board. 

Ginette became involved with the League of Women Voters out of a desire to help EVERYONE vote, and is very proud to be President of our relatively young chapter. Voter education is a personal priority! Ginette is also a pollworker with the Monroe County Elections Office and enjoys being “in the trenches” when it comes to helping people exercise their voting duty & privilege.

After living in the Keys for 35 years, Ginette’s favorite getaway is still just getting out on the water however she can, whether it’s on her kayak, sailboat, or a powerboat.

Linda Kaplan is an attorney who handles Immigration and Naturalization matters. She earned her bachelor’s degree with a major in Economics and her Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida and obtained an advanced law degree (LL.M in taxation) from New York University. Education remains a priority, both as a student and teacher: she has taken graduate courses in Finance, Asian studies, and Educational Leadership at Florida International University and has taught Business law at the University of Miami school of business as well as numerous Continuing Education Courses on Immigration law to other attorneys.

Linda is a native of Miami who grew up as an Army “Brat” in many places (including Japan and Germany) and has practiced law in Miami since 1977. After purchasing a second home in Key Largo in 2006 she relocated to live in the Keys in December 2010.

In addition to Linda’s work on the UKLWV board, she was a founding member of the Friends of the Key Largo Cultural Center and has been on their Board of Directors since it was formed in 2011. She also serves as the Treasurer of the Keys Jewish Community Center.

A presentation on amendments by the UKLWV sparked Linda’s interest in joining the League. In 2019, she led the planning for the chapter’s inaugural Constitution Day event, and continues to lead this important annual event.  Voter education, voter suppression and the National Popular Vote are the league issues that are most important to Linda.

Linda relaxes by walking on her treadmill and planting as many flowering plants as possible in her yard.

Ann Helmers is a relatively new member who joined our board last year and is now our Secretary.  Ann is also active with the Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park organization. 

Judy Miller is also a recent member who brings fresh insights into our group!

Cathy Bosworth is a retired English and journalism teacher who has always been interested in writing. She has written and published a middle grade novel Stranded and has written several freelance articles and letters to the editor which appeared in the Florida Keys Free Press. She worked as an adjunct instructor at the Florida Keys Community College (now the College of the Florida Keys) for several years. 

Cathy has lived in the Keys since 2012, and ran for the Monroe County School Board in 2014, narrowly escaping winning by 300 votes. The experience energized her as a citizen advocate, particularly in the area of voting and representation.

She became involved in the League of Women Voters during the run up to the election in 2012 when she attended a LWV presentation explaining the many amendments that would appear on that ballot. Education had always meant a lot to this former teacher and she wanted to be part of a group that educated voters.

League goals that support public education, the environment, and full participation in voting are important to her.

Cathy likes to exercise at the pool at Founders Park in Islamorada and ride her bike around her neighborhood, staying at home or close to it during the pandemic.

 Chris Latronico moved to the Keys in 1974 with her late husband and two small children. After joining Key Largo Elementary School in 1975 as the Registrar and Bookkeeper, when Key Largo Elementary gained grades 7 and 8 and became the Key Largo School she was promoted to Office Manager, Secretary to the Principal. Chris retired from the school in 2009 and has been an active member of the Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys for several years.

Chris became involved with the League in 2013 when she found out that the state league was sponsoring League trips to Cuba called “Sisters across the Straits”.  Though Chris at that time had no idea exactly what the League of Women Voters did, she attended a UKLWV meeting and introduced herself to Cathy Bosworth and Carol Keller-Betts, who were conducting the meeting, telling them she had joined just to go to Cuba. Cathy and Carol were delighted to meet Chris and promptly invited her to a luncheon board meeting taking place the next day.  Learning of her background as an administrator, they instantly asked her to become the League’s secretary. 

Voting, the League of Women Voters Guide, voter information and registration, Vote411.org and amendment information presentations are all important to Chris. 

She loves the water, swimming, canoeing, boating, snorkeling, fishing, and is currently learning how to paddleboard with her grandsons.  On land, Chris, with her new hip, would like to get back to tennis. As they say “Life is good in the Florida Keys”!