We mourn the passing of former St. Johns County Democratic Executive Committee Annette Cappella Annette Emily Giannini Cappella.
In Annette's honor, let's help bring about her big cause in recent years -- enactment of the Equal Rights Amendment, which states:
Section 1: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
Section 2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3: This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.
Our State of Florida never enacted it because of male chauvinist legislators like Hamilton Upchurch, Florida House Judiciary Committee Chair, son of a segregationist and Dixiecrat, St. Augustine corporate lawyer, and father of current St. Augustine Mayor Tracy Wilson Upchurch, who served in the House after his father and grandfather. (Talk about a spooner).
In meeting with St. Augustine women, Rep. Hamilton Upchurch (D- St. Augustine) said he was against the Equal Rights Amendment, because it would lead to Gay Marriage.
Annette Cappella spoke to the annual meeting of the St. Johns County Legislative Delegation, year after year, in support of Florida enacting the Equal Rights Amendment.,
Her soul fire, an Ambassador Andrew Young would call it, won her friends, but no votes from Dull Republicans. Florida still has not adopted the ERA. It's about time..
In her spirit, let's work to enact the ERA.
From Legacy.com and St. Augustine Record;
Annette Emily Giannini Cappella. Born on April 14, 1934 in New Haven, CT, Annette Cappella passed away on March 2, 2021 at Silver Creek Assisted Living in St. Augustine at the age of 86.
Annette lived an incredible life. Married to the love of her life at the young age of 18, Michael John Cappella Jr. (deceased in 2004), they built their new home in North Haven, CT. Annette raised five children, while pursuing her BS degree in Education at Southern Connecticut State College and subsequently received a MS in 1977. She taught English and was a Debate Coach at North Branford High School from 1969 – 78. in Connecticut. She continued her professional career when she and Michael moved to Atlantic Beach in the late 70's as an English Teacher and Debate Coach at Terry Parker High School. She later was the Curriculum Director at Kirby-Smith Middle School, when she worked with Astronauts in 1996 to implement the Challenger Learning Center program – her pride and joy. Since this time over 120,000 students and individuals have "traveled" on Voyager. Though she retired in 2000 as Assistant Principal at Kirby-Smith, Annette continued to mentor and tutor students.
In 1988 Annette and Michael moved to Coquina Crossing in Elkton. Annette did not hesitate to become active at Coquina Crossing directing plays and became involved with the American Association of University Women and other civic organizations. She was committed to her political involvement with the St. Augustine Democratic Club, Democratic Women's Club and the St. Johns County Democratic Executive Committee, where she was sequentially Secretary, Vice Chair, Chair and State Committeewoman. In early 2008, she was instrumental in securing the funds to open the local Democratic Headquarters, which has remained a presence to this day. She served on several state committees of the Florida Democratic Party, where she was well known to many Democratic Leaders throughout Florida.
Raised in the Catholic faith, Annette found a new spiritual home at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in Lincolnville, where she became actively involved and sang in the choir.
Annette is survived by four daughters: Donna Cappella, South Orange, NJ; Carol Cappella, Delray Beach, FL; Lisa Cappella, Elkton, FL; Frances Cappella, New York, NY; one son: Michael John Cappella, III, Lexington, GA ; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Annette also leaves behind many friends and students who have been impacted by her life. Though short in stature, Annette was a dynamic leader and knew how to overcome obstacles.
There will be no service. A Memorial Service to celebrate Annette's life will be announced at a later time when it is safe to gather. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory for the Annette Cappella Memorial Scholarship Fund should be made payable to St. Augustine Democratic Club and sent to:
St. Augustine Democratic Club, c/o Nell Toensmann, 112 Laurel Wood Way, Unit 204, St. Augustine, FL 32086
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