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Proclamation recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters.
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WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 as a “mighty political experiment” by the foremothers of the suffragist movement at the National American Woman Suffrage Association; and
WHEREAS, their goal was to help the 20 million women who were granted the right to vote by the 19th Amendment understand and carry out their new responsibility as voters; and
WHEREAS, in Pennsylvania, the League set out immediately to help cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia register thousands of women and teach them how to vote; and
WHEREAS, by 1924, the National League was organized in 346 of 433 congressional districts. Twenty-three state Leagues and 15 city Leagues maintained regular business headquarters, nearly all with one or more paid staff; and
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters has had a prominent role in helping to conduct studies and get needed legislation passed: and
WHEREAS, the first convention of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters was held in the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, eight Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, known as the “Keystone Eight,” became members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, including Miss Helen Grimes of Allegheny County; and
WHEREAS, six local Leagues in Allegheny County: Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Monroeville and the North Hills merged to become the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, which is the largest League in Pennsylvania today; and
WHEREAS, over the last 100 years, the League has had great success in strengthening and upholding its mission to empower voters and defend democracy and as a result, it has become a trusted nonpartisan, grassroots organization; and
WHEREAS, the League has sponsored legislation and fought in the courts to protect and strengthen voting rights and access, and for free and fair elections, civil rights, children, community health, and education; and
WHEREAS, the League has consistently been noted for its nonpartisan election information, including sponsorship of candidate forums and information on state and local ballot issues, as well as its commitment to register, educate, and mobilize voters; and
WHEREAS, the League is dedicated to supporting government systems that are open, transparent, inclusive, and equitable; and
WHEREAS, due to the commitment of active and engaged citizens, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation, the League has been able to evolve from what it was in 1920, to what it is today: a unique, nonpartisan organization that is a recognized force in molding political leaders, shaping public policy and promoting informed citizen participation at all levels of government;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, Allegheny County Council Members Olivia Bennett, Bethany Hallam, Cindy Kirk and Anita Prizio do hereby recognize the 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters, and I commend the League for its significant contributions to empowering voters and making democracy work.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 15th day of February 2020.