The League of Women Voters is one of America's unique and venerable political institutions. Throughout our 75 - year history, our members have helped shape American political life. This factsheet gathers together a few of the memorable highlights illustrating what the League does and what we stand for.

The Founding: The league was founded in 1920 at the Chicago convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, six months prior to passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.

"Winning the vote is only an opening wedge...but to learn to use it is a bigger task."
~Carrie Chapman, Catt, Founder of the League of Women Voters, 1919

First legislative victory: Passage of the Sheppard-Towner Act in 1921, providing federal money for maternal and children's programs. This act offered proof that the League's grassroots lobbying and coalition-building were effective legislative tools.

"Daily the lobby met, late in the afternoon of a hard day of work, and compared notes on the day and planned for the morrow. Daily they consulted as to how soon it would be safe to press for a vote, as the best way of meeting the opposition that came from a belief that the states should not be helped in this work by the federal government."
~Dorothy Kirchwey Brown, Chairman of the League's Child Welfare Committee, 1921

Most recent legislative victory: The 1993 passage of the National Voter Registration Act, also known as "motor voter." This bill will help enfranchise millions of American who have shut out of the political process by making voter registration more uniform and accessible.

"When the barriers are broken down - and this legislation breaks them down - citizens will be able to assume their rightful place at the center of our nation's experiment in democratic government."
~Becky Cain, League president, at the White House signing ceremony, 1993

Most famous member: Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and active member of the New York League.

Hardest-won victory: Passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution - 72 year struggle to obtain the right to vote for women. The amendment was ratified on August 26, 1920.

"Lets us be thankful we are voters today in this world of turmoil and unrest. There has not been a time in our generation when such opportunities have been presented to the voters, such need for wise judgment and final intelligent actions based on careful investigation and sober thought."
~Maud Wood Park, first president of the League, 1920

Most courageous stand: In response to the abuses of President Truman's Loyalty Program, the League developed a program to educate citizens about their individual rights. In 1955 League president Percy Maxim Lee testified against Senator Joseph Mc Cathy's abuse of congressional investigative powers.

"I believe tolerance and respect for the opinions of others in being jeopardized by men and women whose instincts are worthily patriotic, but whose minds are apparently unwilling to accept the necessity for dissent within a democracy."
~Percy Maxim Lee, League president, testifying before the Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights, 1955

Changing with the times: One year after its founding in 1921, the League opposed the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, fearing that it would adversely affect hard-won state labor laws protecting women in nonunionized, unskilled jobs. Later, the League's push for civil rights led to a parallel move for women's rights. In the 1970s the League fought vigorously for ratification of the amendment.

"We will turn our frustration and anger over the denial of ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment into determined efforts to achieve ERA's goals through other means."
~Dorothy Ridings, League president International Women's Year Conference in Houston, 1977

Most frequent misunderstanding about the League: That taking positions on political issues makes us partisan. The League is nonpartisan organization: we don't support parties or candidates. Nonpartisan does not mean nonpolitical, however. After studying and debating issues, the League develops consensus positions that we then actively work to support through grassroots lobbying.

"Is the [League] political? Certainly, but no partisan. Its members are as free as other women to join and vote with the party of their choice. They make no pledge otherwise in joining the League."
~Carrie Chapman Catt, 1919

First League-sponsored televised presidential debate: 1976 debates between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, for which the League won an Emmy Award. These debates followed a tradition of providing voter information; in 1928 the League sponsored "Meet the Candidates," the first national radio broadcast of a candidate forum.

How the League reaches its positions: A two-year process of study and consensus. At its biennial convention, the League selects issues to be studied. After conducting a nationwide study involving massive information gathering and public dialogue, the study committee develops a questionnaire. Each League then debates the issue to arrive at a consensus. This consensus is neither a simple majority nor unanimity; rather, it is the "sense of the group" as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions.

The League of Women Voters Education Fund: Established in 1957, the Education Fund is dedicated to increasing citizen understanding of major public policy issues and to promoting citizen involvement in government decision making. To further this mission, the Education fund conducts research and produces publications on a variety of environmental, social, international and government issues.

Best slogan: "Take Back the System.": In 1992, with the voters' confidence and involvement in the electoral system at an all-time low, the League of Women voters Education Fund launched its Take Back the System campaign in effort to reverse this trend.

"Our energy, experience and enthusiasm will be contagious. our democracy will be stronger and better for the effort we make. It's our system. It was designed to work for us - and be responsive to us. It's time to take it back."
~Susan Lederman, League president, 1991

Most pervasive myth: There are no men in the League. In 1974, the League's bylaws were changed to allow men to join. Several men have since served as state League presidents.

Technological changes: In 1921, Carrie Chapman Catt used three quarts of ink in conducting her correspondence; in 1959, the League used 110 pounds of mimeograph ink; in 1994, League computer printers used 21 laser cartridges - in addition, we are conducting more and more of our grassroots correspondence via the Internet by 1996 we hope to have voter information on-line across the country.

The League's three wishes:

100 percent voter turnout in elections

fair and informative political campaigns

more women and minorities in public office

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Copyright © 2000 LWV of Greater Youngstown