Happy Valentine's Day and
Happy Birthday to
the
League of Women Voters.
February 14th – Succulent chocolate candies, fancy valentines, heart
shaped candies, tender greetings, red roses, candle lit dinners and, let's
not forget, it is not only Valentine's Day but the birthday of the League
of Women Voters.
Almost a hundred years ago---February 14th, 1920, just six short months
before the 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified giving women
the right to vote, that the League of Women Voters was formed within the
National American Woman Suffrage Association in states where woman suffrage
had already been attained.
The modern mission of the group remains much the same as it was 88 ears
ago, which is to say “The League of Women
Voters, a nonpartisan organization, encourages
the informed
and active participation in government and influences
public
policy through education and advocacy.”
The only major change occurred in 1974 when men
were invited to join as full voting members.