First-Time Voter Checklist (Blog) 5/12/2022 Casting your first vote is exciting -- and sometimes confusing. But it doesn't have to be. Follow this easy guide from VOTE411.org to make your…
With Liberty and Justice for All (Except DC) (Blog) 5/10/2022 This blog was written by members of the League of Women Voters of DC District citizens do not have the liberty that folks across the US have. …, This has been a problem for centuries; for instance, it wasn’t until 1888 that the right to trial by jury was extended to District residents. It…
Remarks on the Leaked Roe v. Wade Draft Opinion (Blog) 5/5/2022 On Tuesday, May 5, the League's national organizing director, Alma Couverthie, spoke on the steps of the Supreme Court regarding the leaked draft…, Those of us who believe in the promise of our democracy also believe in the power of elected officials to protect the rights of the people. Yet this…, Abortion rights are rooted in the implied Constitutional right to privacy. If Roe and Planned Parenthood are overturned, other personal…, Our ability to participate in our democracy is dependent on our autonomy over our own bodies. The League of Women Voters signed on as amicus…
Arab American Women in Democracy You Should Know (Blog) 4/26/2022 April is Arab American Heritage Month! This month (and all year long), we celebrate the rich and diverse culture and contributions of the Arab…, Charlene Mekled Elder: Judge In 2006, Judge Charlene Mekled Elder was appointed to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court by Michigan Governor…
Women's Equality and Ending Sexual Violence (Blog) 4/13/2022 Content Warning: This blog discusses sexual violence and assault. Over the years, the United States has made significant social and legal…, Our role in ending sexual violence mirrors our role in making democracy real for all of us — we must continue to uphold our values of equity…, Even with the above laws in place, it is clear – we need the Equal Rights Amendment. While the ERA doesn’t focus on sexual violence, it sets a…
Being an Election Worker: 101 (Blog) 4/11/2022 One of the most important ways you can get involved in promoting the freedom to vote and keeping our elections fair and accessible is by serving as…, IL: All the way through college there was never an inkling that I would work in government. Then the perfect storm came along in 2011; there…, Did anything surprise you about the experience? What did you learn? PS: I never expected the work to be so satisfying. To see firsthand how…
Women Creating Their Own Histories: Staff Spotlight (Blog) 3/29/2022 Every day, we're creating women's history. The League is fortunate enough to have been a part of women's political power for over 100 years,…, When you think of incredible women, who comes to mind? Jessica Jones Capparell – Director of Government Affairs: I think of women who are fighting…, What is a challenge you've faced, personally or professionally, as a woman? Maggie Bush – Program and Outreach Director: I think most successful…, What is your favorite thing about the women in your life? MB: Women get the tough work done and then look around to see how they can support others…, What role do you think women have played and/or will play in our democracy? AG: Our Constitution was first crafted by white, land-owning men, who…
What COVID-19 Taught Us About Making Voting Accessible (Blog) 3/22/2022 Two years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. From that moment on, the world changed. We changed. …, Post-COVID-19 Anti-Voter Measures Despite all these benefits, many states and localities are cutting back the reforms they made in the early…
Top Moments From Our Panel with Women Leaders in Advocacy (Blog) 3/8/2022 The League of Women Voters kicked off Women’s History Month with a live panel discussion with leaders from organizations dedicated to fighting voter…, In recent years, we’ve seen barriers to voting rights increase, with anti-voter bills and gerrymandering disproportionately targeting voters of color…, With voting rights under attack, it can be challenging to have faith in our democratic process and leaders. However, we must have faith in our…, The League believes that the pillars of a true democracy are open discourse and diversity of opinion. By engaging in our political processes and…, While it is important to recognize the strength of collective, unified power, it is crucial to amplify individual voices. Find your local League to…
The Women of Bloody Sunday (Blog) 3/4/2022 On March 7, 1965, hundreds of civil rights protestors attempted to march the 50 miles between Selma and Montgomery, Alabama to protest the…, The Women of Bloody Sunday Viola Jackson One could consider Viola Jackson to be among the first victims of Bloody Sunday, as her…, Amelia Boynton Robinson Those sites and sounds were transmitted to Americans across the country through television and picture; this media…, Rachel West Nelson and Sheyann Webb-Christburg “I had never faced the troopers before,” reported Rachel West Nelson, who was nine at the time…, Their work is not a relic of the past. To this day, women across the country are fighting to preserve the tenets of the Voting Rights Act,…