The League of Women Voters of the United States was organized in February 14, 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt shortly before the Women’s Suffrage Amendment was ratified. Its principal aim was to help the newly enfranchised women become politically educated, responsible voting citizens.
From the beginning, the League has been an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that citizens should play a critical role in advocacy. League founders believed that maintaining a nonpartisan stance would protect the organization from becoming mired in the party politics. League members were encouraged to be political themselves, by educating citizens about, and lobbying for, government and social reform legislation.
In 1974 the national bylaws were amended to allow men to become full voting members of the League and men serve in many leadership positions.
The League of Women Voters of Florida was formed in 1939 by three local Leagues then in existence: St. Petersburg, Winter Haven and Winter Park-Orlando. Thirty local Leagues in Florida, plus one comprised of members-at-large, now have over 4,600 members.
In July 1959, a group of community-minded women decided to form the League of Women Voters of Manatee County. They applied for a charter as a Provisional League and received official approval in April 1960.
Workshops were conducted to familiarize the members with their county. The Provisional League studied the functions of the county commission, the county departments, library improvement, the hospital, sanitation, local tax structures, slum clearance, community planning, care of needy children, and the availability of culture and recreation in Manatee County. These programs led to the publication of the first Know Manatee County, the prerequisite for admission as a full-fledged League.
This status was acquired in May, 1962, and permitted study of national, state and local issues and problems. The new League chose to work on voter’s service and membership; and decided to study The United Nations and Foreign Economic Policy (national), apportionment (state), and home rule (local).
For more than 99 years the League members continue to be passionate activists that have studied many issues and has been active in calling for reforms. Our volunteers work year-round to register new voters, host community forums and debates, and provide voters with election information they need. We engage at the local and state levels on legislative priorities and efforts to improve our elections.
Also Visit: History of the League of Women Voters of the U.S.
