Happy Halloween! I don’t know what might be scaring you these days, but for me, it is not the creatures coming to our front door tonight begging for candy! When I get despondent about what I see/read in the news, I remind myself that, unlike many other countries, we have the ability, (next week actually), to elect our leaders and thankfully there is a local organization that supports us in this endeavor.
If you are old enough, you may have heard (but won’t admit knowing) about a movie called The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. While that movie may be pure fiction, there is a group of extraordinary citizens who are defending our freedoms every day. The League of Women Voters (LWV) is an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believe that citizens should play a critical role in advocacy.
Despite its name, the LWV is open to everyone (men as well as women) 16 years and older and is fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. The LWV believes that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policymakers in creating a more perfect democracy.
The League of Women Voters US and the League of Women Voters were formed in 1920 during the Suffrage Movement. The 19th Amendment was the first step of many, to empower all citizens with the right to vote. “While the 19th Amendment only gave white women the right to vote in 1920, this paved the way toward gaining the right to vote for all women who were US citizens,” said Darlene Hein, President of the Thurston County League of Women Voters. “We recognize that on a national level voting equality for all is still a struggle today. We continue to work diligently for all citizens, not just white women, and men, to have the legal right to vote without barriers. The mission of the LWV is ‘Empowering voters. Defending democracy’ and we ‘envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate.’”
The Thurston County League of Women Voters (LWVTC) was established in 1961. It is part of the national LWV, as well as the LWV of Washington State and members are simultaneously members of the local, state, and national Leagues.
The LWVTC is a nonpartisan political organization that focuses on encouraging informed and active participation in government. “Here in Thurston County, the LWVTC works on all levels to make sure that we have an informed community of citizens,” said Hein. “We work to increase our understanding of major public policy issues, and we influence public policy through education and advocacy while continuing to work on all aspects of how we vote. In Thurston County: we register voters, hold candidate forums, do studies, and provide community educational opportunities. For instance, our local LWV reaches out to high school students teaching them how to register their peers to vote”.
Early in each election cycle, LWV invites local candidates to participate in a candidate forum, which is recorded to ensure that voters hear the candidate's platforms first-hand. “Our forums are a type of job interview designed for candidates to explain their views and inform voters,” said Heim. “In each forum, the moderator asks candidates the same questions.”
The LWV develops the candidate's questions based on input from the public and vets them within the League but does not provide candidates with questions in advance. “Our partner, Thurston Community Media (TC Media), produces these forums so that we can post them so community members can review them on our website and the TC media website.”
[Editor's Note: To see any of the recorded forums for 17 positions on this year's elections, click here. ]
At nonelection times of the year, the LWV conducts studies on local issues impacting our community, which drives their advocacy work.
“This past year, we finished two studies, one on Freshwater in Thurston County and a study on Thurston Area Tribal Nations,” said Heim. These studies can be found on the LWVTC website. “In addition to the candidate forums we hold forums on a variety of topics every year that are open to both members and non-members on everything from Housing and Homelessness to Local Governmental Entities DEI Initiatives. We also support the activities happening on both a State and National level. At the state level: we research important issues, write studies, advocate for issues in the legislature, and promote our civics education. At the national level: we fight for voter rights, reproductive rights, the Equal Rights Amendment”.
I asked Heim how LWV can gauge the impact of their efforts. “As a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government as well public policy our impact is always hard to measure but our work is ongoing,” said Heim. “Our impact is more important than ever. We believe democracy is not a spectator sport, so we encourage everyone to get involved at the level that works best for them”.
Thurston County LWV is a volunteer, member-driven organization. Anyone over the age of 16 may become a voting member and LWV offers a variety of membership levels and membership subsidies for those on fixed and low incomes. “Volunteers are the lifeblood of the LWVTC,” said Heim. “There are no paid staff in the LWVTC, and volunteers are essential to how our work gets done. Without the dedicated, ongoing efforts of energetic and effective volunteers, little can get done! Volunteers lend their time and expertise to further our mission of educating Thurston County citizens to take action that makes a positive impact in our community.” For more information on LWVTC, click here.
Hopefully, your calendar is already marked for the Give Local Campaign, which runs Monday, November 6 through Friday, November 17. This is the best time of year to donate to your favorite local nonprofit (s) that are participating in the Give Local Campaign. Give Local is an annual giving campaign powered by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, offering local nonprofit organizations access to a portion of a $100,000 bonus fund and the opportunity to receive matching donations from sponsors. In addition, Give Local processing fees are covered and 100% of your donation goes directly to support your local nonprofit. Here’s how you can get started today:
For the 29th year, YWCA Olympia will honor and celebrate inspiring women during its annual Women of Achievement Gala on Saturday, November 4 at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia.
According to their website, “the awards honor the accomplishments and contributions of women in their professional work or in service to the community. Established in 1994, the YWCA of Olympia Women of Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious honors for women in the South Sound. The mission of the YWCA is to eliminate racism and sexism, to advance the political, social, and economic status of all women and girls, and to embody our vision of a world where all people are valued, live free from oppression, and thrive in a just society. This award honors women who align with our mission embody outstanding leadership qualities and are exceptionally committed to their community or profession”. For more information on this event, click here.
Halloween is almost behind us, and I have already seen my first holiday commercial. I know this is a very busy time of the year for you, and I want to do what I can to support your efforts, so if you have an event that you want to promote, or need volunteers/donations to support your mission, let me know! I do my best to keep track of what is going on in our local nonprofit community, but if you want to be sure that your information is included in this column, send it to me!
Soliciting your ideas
If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits!
Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com
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