Election 2004: League of Women Voters provides candidate, issue info

by Ilga Vise

League of Women Voters

sbj@sbj.net

Ilga Vise is chair for voter service of League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri.

During the second half of the 20th century and into the current one, women in the United States have advanced considerably in a business and professional world once considered a man's domain. Barriers and inequities still linger, however, and women continue to strive to overcome them.

Looking back into the 19th century, one finds a prevailing attitude about women's role in society, which later was referred to by some as "the cult of domesticity." Women did not even have the right to vote. A resistance to such restraints surfaced as many women advocated for their rights and suffrage. They wrote declarations, demonstrated and marched in parades demanding those rights.

Carrie Chapman Catt, the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, pushed for suffrage laws at both the state and federal levels. In 1919, at the Suffrage Association's convention in St. Louis, Catt called for "a league of women voters as a memorial to the suffrage pioneers." Missourians can be proud that the idea for the League of Women Voters was conceived in our state. When the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, granting women the right to vote, the league was officially organized in Chicago to commemorate that event. Its principal aim was to help the newly enfranchised women to become politically responsible, educated voting citizens.

Today, the League of Women Voters is 100,000 members strong. Membership is open to voting citizens, both women and men. Persons under the age of 18 or noncitizens can become associate members. The structure of LWV parallels the representative system of our government. Members determine the policies and programs at all levels. There are leagues in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam, located in nearly 1,100 communities. It is a multi-issue organization and its mission is to encourage the active participation of citizens in government and to influence public policy through education and advocacy. LWV never supports or opposes any political party or candidate for elective office. After a thorough study of the facts, a consensus is reached on an issue, and LWV advocates a position.

Since the early years, the national LWV has worked toward the passage of collective bargaining, child labor laws, a minimum wage, a joint federal-state employment service, compulsory education, and equal opportunity for women in government and industry. Many of these laws have been part of American life for so many years that most of us take them for granted.

Missouri has 13 leagues with a total membership of approximately 1,000. In the local LWV's 51-year history, many studies have been conducted on a wide range of topics, including basic human needs, campaign finance, City Utilities, education, taxes and the economic vitality of Springfield. Environmental issues have been of great concern. A recent two-year study on sustainability, defined as the carrying capacity of the environment, resulted in positions designed to maintain Springfield as a desirable place to live.

Members of LWV have served and continue to serve on City Council and numerous boards, and have participated in Vision 20/20 planning sessions and updates, thus demonstrating their involvement in our community.

The principal focus of LWV continues to be voter education. By holding candidate and legislators forums, league members invite citizens to participate in the democratic process.

To learn more about the league, you can check our Web site at www.lwvsgf.org.