Valentine’s Day is not the only thing being celebrated over the coming week. Across the country thousands of women will be celebrating something even more special, the 91st anniversary of the League of Women Voters.
It’s no coincidence that this year we will also celebrate the 91st anniversary of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The League of Women Voters was born of that milestone. After 72 years of struggle, the National American Woman Suffrage Association finally accomplished its goal of gaining the right to vote for all women in 1920. A few months after that milestone the League of Women Voters was formed to help women make the most of their new right.
Educating women on the issues and helping them make the most of their voting power was not the only goal of the League of Women Voters. They intended to end discrimination against women and help support women’s rights and other issues related to women.
The League supported the creation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, as well as NATO, economic aid to less developed countries and the Marshall Plan. And during the post World War II period, the League helped lead the effort to establish the United Nations and to ensure U.S. participation.
By 1973 their mission had broadened and they welcomed men into the organization, whose numbers continue to grow.
The League was the 1st Non-governmental organization and remains to this day a non-partisan political organization working hard on issues that benefit everyone. Between healthcare, the environment, and foreign issues among the many issues that are state specific Leagues across the country are still kept busy.
So whatever your doing this week, especially on Valentine’s day, take a moment to recognize the SheHeroes who have worked tirelessly over the years underneath the banner of the League of Women Voters. And of course all the SheHeroes who still work tirelessly today.
Happy Birthday League of Women Voters!