The mission of the League of Women Voters
is to
encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in
government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy.
Brief History:
In February 1920, just six months before the U.S. Constitution was
amended to give women the right to vote, the National American Woman
Suffrage Association's president, Carrie Chapman Catt, proposed the
creation of the League of Women Voters. The League's first purpose was
to teach women how to exercise their new political rights and
responsibilities.
After passage of the 19th Amendment, the League began as a collection
of former suffrage organizations at the state and local levels. The
League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area is one of the oldest
Leagues in the country. The Woman Suffrage Committee of Greater
Cincinnati met on September 21, 1920 and approved the motion "that the
sense of this meeting be that we organize a League of Women Voters for
Cincinnati and Hamilton County." On Friday, October 1, 1920 the first
meeting of the executive committee of the League of Women Voters of
Cincinnati was held.
For over 80 years the League has continued to serve all citizens and
has opened its membership to any citizen of voting age, male or
female. Today, the League of Women Voters is a three tier
organization, with Leagues at the local, state and national levels. A
member joining one of the 48 local Ohio Leagues is automatically a
member of the League of Women Voters of Ohio (LWVO) and the League of
Women Voters of the U.S. (LWVUS).
A Grassroots Organization:
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 - working to
influence policy through education and advocacy. It is the original
grassroots citizen network, directed by the consensus of its members
across the country.
The League's hallmark is its unique grassroots approach to study and
action. Every League position is based on study and consensus among
members. During the consensus process, members draw on balanced, pro
and con materials, develop their own resources, turn to technical
experts and public officials for information, and reach out to the
community through public meetings, surveys and media coverage.
Once a position is reached, the League marshals all of its tools to
influence the shape of public policy. Grassroots lobbying efforts are
the key to the League legislative success. Strategies include
testimony, letters and phone calls to key legislators, working in
coalition with other groups, community outreach and media campaigns.
Principles:
The League of Women Voters believes in representative government and
in the individual liberties established in the Constitution of the
United States.
The League of Women Voters believes that democratic government depends
upon the informed and active participation of its citizens and
requires that governmental bodies protect the citizen's right to know
by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings
and making public records accessible.
The League of Women Voters believes that every citizen should be
protected in the right to vote; that every person should have access
to free public education that provides equal opportunity for all; and
that no person or group should suffer legal, economic or
administrative discrimination.
The League of Women Voters believes that efficient and economical
government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of
responsibility, adequate financing, and coordination among the
different agencies and levels of government.
The League of Women Voters believes that responsible government should
be responsive to the will of the people; that government should
maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation, promote the
conservation and development of natural resources in the public
interest, share in the solution of economic and social problems that
affect the general welfare, promote a sound economy and adopt domestic
policies that facilitate the solution of international problems.
The League of Women Voters believes that cooperation with other
nations is essential in the search for solutions to world problems and
that development of international organization and international law
is imperative in the promotion of world peace.
Diversity Policy:
The League of Women Voters recognizes that diverse perspectives are
important and necessary for responsible and representative decision
making. The LWV affirms its commitment to reflecting the diversity of
America in its membership, leadership and programs.
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