League of Women voters celebrates milestone birthday
The League of Women Voters (LWV) is celebrating its 90th birthday this month.
Known widely for its voter education and advocacy efforts, this non-partisan political group has had an active chapter in Decorah for the past decade.
"This year's 90th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters has special meaning for our local chapter, and for me. My mother, Cicely Joslyn, was an active member of LWV for most of her adult life and she often said that League participation helped increase her understanding of complex issues and her confidence in voting," said Pat Johnson, local chapter president.
Joslyn, who resided at Vennehjem in Decorah, passed away last year at age 96. She was a League member for over 70 years and was born in 1913, at a time when women did not yet have the right to vote.
"The women who started the movement to give women the right to vote really didn't know if, how or when they would succeed," said Johnson. "They persevered, however - changing our democracy and society. Today we are equally committed to improving our democracy, and keeping our community healthy, vibrant and strong for all."
About the League
Local League members currently serve on three different city commissions (historic preservation, planning and zoning, board of adjustment) and League members have served on city council, school board and the human rights commission in past years.
Currently the city of Decorah is actively seeking to achieve gender balance on all local boards and commissions and the League supports and encourages this effort.
Last fall, the Upper Iowa League chapter sponsored a city candidates forum prior to the Nov. election. There was also a members' picnic featuring locally grown/produced food and a speaker from the Pepperfield Project. The League held two "hot topics" lunch meetings on health care reform and climate change, and in December met with state legislators to discuss issues of priority for the 2010 session.
In past years, local "leaguers" lobbied for an increase in the state cigarette tax. This tax was finally increased by the Iowa legislature in 2007 and in 2008, the Smoke Free Air Act was passed. These actions have, according to a recent report by the University of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Public Health, resulted in significant decreases in the number of hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease, in particular, coronary heart disease. This is just one example of the League's successful lobbying efforts that have a direct impact on the community.
Historic pioneers
In 1920, after a 72-year struggle, and when passage of the 19th amendment appeared to be imminent, members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association met to form the League of Women Voters.
Carrie Chapman Catt first proposed the creation of a League to "finish the fight" and to work to end all discrimination against women. While initially concerned with the status and rights of women, the League of Women Voters gradually expanded its interests to include issues affecting the whole community. Today, the League works to effect change on a wide variety of issues including health care, education, climate change, land use and election and campaign finance reform.
