About the League
Our Mission
Empowering Voters
Defending Democracy
Our Vision
We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge
and the confidence to participate. We believe in the power of women to create a more
perfect democracy.
Our Roles
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization.
The LWV encourages informed and active participation in government.
It influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The League of Women Voters has two separate and distinct roles.
- Voters Service/Citizen Education: we present unbiased nonpartisan information about elections, the voting process, and issues, and we organize candidate forums. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
- Action/Advocacy: While the League is non-partisan, we use our Program Positions (see below) to advocate for or against particular policies and legislative proposals.
Program Positions
We are a grassroots organization. Our LWV Program consists of public issues chosen by members for study and ultimate action. As a study progresses, study team members fashion consensus questions that will then be addressed by the full League membership. Through discussion, League members reach consensus. From member consensus, the board drafts a position statement for member approval. If no position is adopted, action/advocacy on that issue cannot be taken.
Read our program positions on Boulder County issues (PDF)
Read our statewide LWVCO program positions
Download our national LWVUS program positions in PDF.
LWVBC at Work
LWVBC Board of Directors 2018-2019
Officers
President: Peggy Leech
1st Vice President / Fund Development: Louisa Young
2nd Vice President / Communications: Elizabeth Crowe
Secretary: Annie Lessem
Treasurer: Pat Long
Directors
Action: Mary Ann Wilner
Events: Kay Palmer Marsh
Governance and Leadership: Caroline Himes
Membership: Ruth Stemler
Voter Services: Susan Saunders
Youth Engagement: Shiquita Yarbrough
VOTER Newsletter Editor
Jennifer Bates
Administrative Assistant
Amanda P Nuku
Issue Team Leaders / Co-Leaders
Money in Politics Team: Shirley Jin and Carolyn Elliott
National Popular Vote: Peggy Leech, Ruth Stemler, and Elizabeth Crowe
Redistricting: Peggy Leech, Ruth Stemler, and Elizabeth Crowe
Schools Team: Linda Hultman
Social Policy Team: Annie Lessem and Denice Walker
Voting Methods Team: Celeste Landry
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Bylaws of the LWVBC
To view or download the Bylaws of the LWVBC in PDF (5p.) click here: Bylaws of the LWVBC
LWVBC Strategic Plan
To view or download the LWVBC Strategic Plan in PDF (3p.) click here: 2015–18_Strategic Plan Summary
Annual Meeting Packet
Read information prepared for our 2018 annual membership meeting - May 12, 2018 (PDF, 5p.)
Read information prepared for our annual membership meeting on May 6, 2017
(PDF, 15p.) — includes 2016–2017 reports from our president, other officers and directors,
and issue team leaders.
Our History
History of the League of Women Voters of the United States
The League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The convention was held just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle.
For a history of the national League of Women Voters or LWVUS, decade by decade, click here: LWVUS History.
To view a slide show of historical photos tracing our history click here: History of the LWVUS through the Decades.
History of the League of Women Voters of Boulder County, Colorado
To read a 14-page account of the history of the LWVBC click here. An accompanying photo album is available here.
Here is a summary:
The League of Women Voters of Boulder County 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. It became the LWV of Boulder Valley in 1984 by expanding to cover 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.