Press Release: February 2010 is League of Women Voters Month
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League of Women Voters of Connecticut
For Immediate Release Contact: Jean Rabinow 203/288-7996 lwvct@lwvct.orgFebruary—LWV month in ConnecticutLeague of Women Voters Celebrates 90th Anniversary of its Founding
February 1, 2010 (Hamden, CT) –Valentine’s Day 2010 is a special day for the League of Women Voters. Founded on February 14, 1920, the League turns 90 this year, with 850 chapters in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and international democracy projects around the globe.
The Connecticut League launched its yearlong 90th Anniversary celebration at the Capitol on January 7 with a proclamation from Connecticut’s Governor Jodi Rell, declaring February to be League of Women Voters Month. The League’s event also celebrated a historic photographic exhibit of women’s participation in civic life in Connecticut, as governors, community activists, and members of Congress. Part of the League exhibit will travel to historical societies and public libraries in the state.
The event also featured a presentation by Dr. Tracey M. Wilson, West Hartford Town Historian, who delivered a surprising lesson about Connecticut suffrage. Connecticut’s governor in 1920, Marcus Holcomb, opposed women’s suffrage and the attempts to ratify the 19th Amendment here. However, Connecticut had feisty fighters for women’s equality, like the late actress Katherine Hepburn’s mother, who wouldn’t stop pushing for suffrage. Eventually, a year after the 19th Amendment was ratified by other states and became law, Connecticut finally ratified it.
“We have a lot to celebrate, foremost the trust-generating civic work of our members,” said Jara Burnett, president of the League of Voters of Connecticut. “The League in Connecticut is embarking on its 10th decade with a steady influx of capable men and women with a wide array of experience and expertise, assuring that our work for better government will continue,” she added. Men have been part of the League’s non-partisan political work since 1974; a young business owner and a superintendent of schools are among Connecticut League’s newest members who are men. Working in the League has energized a number of members to run for public office and, after leaving public office, to apply their experience to League work.
The Connecticut League of Women Voters comprises 28 local Leagues. They host meetings with legislators, community forums, and candidate debates and provide a source of nonpartisan information for voters. As advocates for policy and legislative change, Connecticut League members have been leaders in advocating for public campaign financing to ensure clean elections in Connecticut. Each year the Connecticut League sponsors a popular Symposium on International Relations with Yale University and Quinnipiac School of Law.
Find the League online at www.lwvct.org, 203/288-2996, or by writing to the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, 1890 Dixwell Avenue, Suite 203, Hamden, CT 06514.
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