League of Women Voters celebrates
The League of Women Voters of the Mother Lode joins many national and state organizations to commemorate the vital role women have played in American History.
The national celebration began in 1981 when Congress requested that President Reagan proclaim the week of March 7 as Women's History Week. In 1987 it was expanded to Women's History Month. Annual presidential proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States recently and through the years.
The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 by leaders of the women's suffrage movement six months before the 19th amendment was ratified and women won the vote. It is a nonpartisan, activist, grassroots organization that believes voters should play a critical role in democracy.
Over the past 101 years, the local Leagues of Women Voters have been change-makers in their communities. The Mother Lode League serving Tuolumne and Calaveras counties looks forward to continuing in that role. It honors the women who not only forged new paths and opened new doors for women, but those who also looked behind them to bring the next women forward.
The local Mother Lode League was formed in 2018. Membership is open to both men and women. The organization registers voters to increase voter participation, helps the community become more informed about candidates and issues through programs like Voters Edge and through candidate forums. It also provides pros and cons for propositions and encourages accountability by observing local government in action.
The League will study and advocate issues that reflect the interests and priorities of its members and provide speakers to local organizations.
For more information about the League, go online to www.lwvml.org, or email info.lwvml@gmail. com. The League can also be found on Facebook.