Vision
We envision a democracy in which every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.
Mission
LWV works to empower voters and defend democracy.
Purpose
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization, which encourages informed and active participation in government; and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The LWVBC enacts this purpose through:
- Voter Service: We present unbiased nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues, and we organize candidate forums. LWV does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
- Advocacy: While the League is non-partisan, we advocate for or against specific government policies and legislative proposals, based on our organizational positions and current program priorities.
Nonpartisanship
Our parent organization, the League of Women Voters of Colorado, has a thorough explanation of how the league balances engaging in political activity with being non-partisan.
The national level League of Women Voters, has guidance on nonpartisanship messaging, specifically, navigating attacks or accusations of partisanship against your League.
LWV programs consist of strategic activities determined on our organizational principles or concepts of government functions; and on our consensus positions on particular policies and government issues.
LWV is a grassroots organization, in which program issues and priorities are determined by our members for research (through the League’s “study” process) and action. During the study phase, members conduct research, information sharing and dialogue to identify areas of consensus. From member consensus, League may adopt a position statement on that issue. If no consensus is reached, League will not advocate on that specific issue.
Strategic Planning
The LWVBC has engaged in strategic planning and annual progress reviews since 2015 and has made significant efforts to expand the visibility of the League in Boulder County.
We have worked to expand our outreach efforts; maintain diversity, equity and inclusion in our decision making; recruit younger members; and activate all members.
In 2024, board members determined that the next focus needs to be on internal improvement—operational efficiency, leadership development, and growth of our active volunteer force.
Read the 2020–21 Strategic PlanRead the 2019 Strategic Plan summary
Read the 2015–18 Strategic PlanLWVBC offers many volunteer and leadership opportunities. Visit the Teams at Work page for a list of our Voter Service and Advocacy team activities. Our Operations Teams focuses on internal membership management and services; fundraising; and communications, and we welcome volunteers for those tasks as well.
Contact our Membership Director to discuss your interests. You can also visit the Volunteering webpage to view upcoming opportunities.
Non-Discrimination, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The League of Women Voters of Boulder County (LWVBC), its board and volunteers, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender expression, or military status. LWVBC in all its activities reflects these principles in value and practice.
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. 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.
League of Women Voters: 100 Years Strong
The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS)
LWVUS
was founded in 1920 during the convention of the
National Woman Suffrage Association. The convention was held just six months before women won the right to vote through ratification of the 19th amendment
to the U.S. Constitution.
The League of Women Voters of Colorado (LWVCO)
LWVCOwas organized in 1928. Colorado women had won the right to vote in 1893. Colorado was the first state in which the male electorate approved woman suffrage by popular election.
The League of Women Voters of Boulder County (LWVBC)
LWVBC was formed in 2007 by the merger of the LWV of Longmont, founded in 1965, and the LWV of Boulder Valley (LWVBV). The LWV of (the city of) Boulder (LWVB), founded in 1931, was the first local League in Colorado. In 1984 the LWVB expanded eastward to become the LWVBV, which covered the same area as the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), including Louisville and Lafayette. Since the formation of the LWV of Boulder County in 2007, members have studied and taken action on issues in Boulder County and its municipalities and in both school districts, BVSD and St. Vrain Valley School District.
- History of the LWVBC
- LWVBC history in pictures
- The Maria Rodgers Oral History program of the Boulder Public Library has produced interviews with LWVBC leaders Sue Anderson, Joyce A. Davies, Elizabeth A. Nick, Barbara Anuta, Deborah Hayes, Gail C. Rowe, Elizabeth Black, Patricia Johnson, Leona Stoecker, Mary K. Blue, Zoe Menkick McCollum, Lynne Wegley, Janet S. Roberts and Ruth Correll.
- She Is Me photojournalism project for LWV Colorado, which was compiled by LWVBC member Hannah Crowe and features profiles of four LWVBC members: Rossana Longo Better, Jeanine Pow, Molly Saunders and Shiquita Yarbrough.