Who We Are
“The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. The League's enduring vitality and resonance comes from its unique decentralized structure. The League is a grassroots organization, working at the national, state and local levels.
“There are Leagues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong, in addition to the hundreds of local Leagues nationwide. The League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters Education Fund operate at the national level with grassroots support from state and local Leagues.
“The League of Women Voters is strictly nonpartisan; it neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government. At the same time, the League is wholeheartedly political and works to influence policy through advocacy. It is the original grassroots citizen network, directed by the consensus of its members nationwide. The 900 state and local Leagues – comprising a vast grassroots lobby corps that can be mobilized when necessary.
“Over time, the League’s legislative priorities change to reflect the needs of society and critical issues of concern. The organization remains true to its basic purpose: to make democracy work for all citizens. The League of Women Voters makes a difference in the lives of citizens because of the energy and passion of thousands of members committed to our principles.”
-- From the Website of the LWV of the United States
Mission Statement of the League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. (This is the mission statement of all Leagues - local, state, and national.)
League Organization
Program & Action
The League's Program and Action are supported by the General Fund. This is a 501c-4 nonprofit organization that seeks to influence public policy and citizen opinion based on its principles and issue positions. Issue positions are established by extensive unbiased study and agreement by the membership. The studies in progress and the current issue position statements constitute the League's "Program".
The LWVAL takes action to oppose or support legislation or public policy
only if the action can be based on one or more points of the following:
Find out more about the League’s General Fund activities on the
Take Action! web pages.
Citizen Education & Voter Services
The League's Citizen Education activities and Voter Services are supported by the Education Fund. The LWVAL-EF is a 501c-3 nonprofit organization that seeks to educate citizens about complex public issues in a strictly unbiased way and encourage participation in the democratic process. The “Ed Fund” supports such activities as voter registration drives, nonpartisan candidate debates and forums, and unbiased issue forums. It does not support or oppose legislation or public policies. Find out more about the League’s Education Fund activities on the
Learn & Vote web pages.
LWVAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS2009-2011
OFFICERS
Co-President
Kathryn Byrd
Co-President,
Voter Editor
Charlotte Ward
1st Vice President
Mary Lynn Bates
2nd Vice President,
Membership
Scarlett Gaddy
Secretary
Sarah McDonald
Treasurer
Virginia (Ginnie) Bennett
DIRECTORS
Education
Laura Hill
-- TBA --
Hattie Kaufman
Natural Resources
Joyce Lanning
Fundraising
Jeanine Normand
Program / Advocacy
Anne Permaloff
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OFF-BOARD
Appointed by the Board
Constitutional Reform (Co-Chair) &
Transportation
Nancy Ekberg
Constitutional Reform (Co-Chair)
Jeanne Lacey
Health Care Study
Marilyn Garrett, Chair
Jan Widell, Co-chair
Natural Resources Advisor
Jeanne Lacey
Program / Advocacy Advisor
Ruth Wright
Technical Director
Jean Johnson