Topical informational forums and voter registration events have been part of the local League of Women Voters (LWV) chapter since its revitalization in 2017. Such happenings seem commonplace for a group like this – whose name has the word ‘voters’ in it – yet a crucial part of its foundation may be less so in today’s climate: The organization is “political but non-partisan.”

The League of Women Voters was founded by members of the National American Women Suffrage Association after the 19th amendment was ratified. (Photo via www.lwv.org)

For over 100 years, LWV has worked as a women-led grassroots network with its core mission still tied to the belief that the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue. Since then, LWV has grown both its membership and vision, and now has over 750 League chapters and one million members and supporters.

Longtime locals may remember a former iteration of area LWV chapters years ago, before the current group’s reorganization in 2017.

Margy Hagaman, who originally joined LWV after moving to Menomonie in 1972, recalled the former chapter’s dissolution in the 1990s and the reasoning behind its revitalization: A need for nonpartisan education and voter service information.

Part of the group’s reorganization as the League of Women Voters-Greater Chippewa Valley included  implementing co-officers – in Eau Claire and Menomonie – in its structure to better serve the wider community. Hagaman was one of the early co-presidents.

The LWV regional chapter has held informational forums on a range of topics, including fair maps, homelessness, election integrity, immigration, student debt, and more. The group has also organized candidate forums for school boards, city council, State Assembly, state Supreme Court, as well as meet-and-greet events.

“One of the things we do is hold candidate forums, and to do that, we must present the event in a nonpartisan way,” League member Ellen Ochs said. “The League is ‘political but nonpartisan.’ ”

While League members may join a political party, its officers cannot. And while nonpartisan, that does not mean the organization is neutral across topics and issues.

"We have a responsibility to speak clearly and forcefully and be a credible, reliable voice for all voters across all communities. We seek to unite, not divide."

CHRISTINA JAY

MEMBER, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS-GREATER CHIPPEWA VALLEy

Several League of Women Voters-Greater Chippewa Valley members, pictured, attended the statewide League annual meeting earlier this year. (Photo via Facebook)

“The League nonpartisan policy is important because it means the League acts based on policies and principles, not because of political parties,” Christina Jay, local League member, said. “We have a responsibility to speak clearly and forcefully and be a credible, reliable voice for all voters across all communities. We seek to unite, not divide.”

Echoed by Carol Parsons, a newer LWV member, “Issues yes, parties no. Issues unite us.”

While voter registration events are central – and quite popular – for the local LWV chapter, even those gatherings serve multiple purposes. In Menomonie, League members are often found at the Menomonie Farmers Markets once per month, from May through October, to offer registration support. There, engagement is widespread.

During these farmers markets, members encounter their neighbors, work colleagues — and other people they know — and spark conversation. When college students return to town, inquiries may shift to to education for out-of-state and first-time voter questions.

“To observe a member who is involved in a discussion with a community member is truly captivating,” Joan Jespen-Burger, another local League member, said. “The member is passionate, interested, and confident as one citizen provides information to another about one of our most basic rights – the right to vote."

"(The organization) truly believe(s) in democracy and the right of all citizens to exercise their right to vote. And they're not just older white women, there are college students, women in their 30s, a few high school students, and even some men."

JOAN JESPEN-BURGER

MEMBER, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS-GREATER CHIPPEWA VALLEy

For newer members like Jay, Parsons, and Jespen-Burger – each interested in the local organization for their own reasons, including the opportunity to meet new people; the urge to get involved with democratic values-driven groups – it is important to ensure folks know the local LWV chapter’s efforts are widespread, and broadening.

“(The organization) truly believe(s) in democracy and the right of all citizens to exercise their right to vote. And they’re not just older white women,” Jespen-Burger said. “There are college students, women in their 30s, a few high school students, and even some men.”

“Folks want to ask questions about where and when they vote, and how to track their vote,” Jespen-Burger added. “Many have opinions to share, and members serve as good listeners with a wealth of nonpartisan information to share.”

The League of Women Voters has over one million members nationwide. Locally, the League of Women Voters-Greater Chippewa Valley is aiming to bolster its community engagement efforts and continue growing as an organization. (Photo via Facebook)

As the League looks ahead, members encourage the wider community to engage with the area chapter as a local resource. For those who may be interested in getting involved, there are ample opportunities.

“Micro-volunteerism” activities, for instance – such as writing postcards, designing posters, social media efforts, and more – are ramping up. “No action is too small and there are numerous ways to participate,” Parsons said.

The group is also relaunching its book club, now called “Read Together. Rise Together.”

“The intent is to pick books that relate to governmental issues (the organization has) stances on,” Jay said. The club’s first book, American Identity Crisis: Notes from an Accidental Activist by Kat Calvin, focuses on voter ID and ID issues in the U.S.

The book club is open to the public and is hosted in both Menomonie and Eau Claire. “We are aiming to engage our members and the public in dialogue and hope to recruit more members who believe in our mission and vision,” Jay said.

Learn more about the local League of Women Voters chapter online (www.lwv-gcv.org) and keep up with the group on Facebook. The national League of Women Voters was created in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt, a Wisconsinite native to Ripon, following the ratification of the 19th Amendment – born from the National American Women Suffrage Association, which Catt was president of.