Diversity, equity and inclusion are mutually reinforcing and never static within a community or organization. In order to create the diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization and community we desire, the first step is to be truthful about the past and where we come from. The League of Women Voters has been going through a process of understanding and growing from it’s own history.

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County are part of that process. We are committed to evaluate and improve what exists but to also imagine: what would it look like if Diversity, Equity and Inclusion were present in our work? What steps can we take to create that vision?

We commit to increase diversity in membership and the relationships we build across the community so that we are able to understand and better meet the unique needs of our county as we make progress toward our League mission in partnership with other organizations that share the same goals.

We commit to prioritizing equity in the work of the LWV MC Board and committees as it directly impacts our community.

We commit to making deliberate efforts to ensure LWV MC is a place where differences are welcomed, different perspectives are respectfully heard, and every individual feels a sense of belonging and inclusion. This means developing our skills of listening, empathizing, and understanding the environment from others’ perspectives.

We commit to working actively to uncover, challenge and respond to bias, harassment, and discrimination – whether it is in ourselves, the League, or our community.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.  In support of this commitment, the League of Women Voters of Manatee County developed and distributed the Position Paper: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion directed to the Manatee District School Board.  Click Here for Executive Summary.  Click Here for the Position Paper. 

There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.