History of LWV

In 1920 when women citizens of the United States finally got the right to vote, the suffragists turned their energy to encouraging women to make use of their new power.  Over the years, The League of Women Voters, created by these brave women, grew into the nonpartisan political organization we enjoy today.  The League's mission is to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy.  The League's enduring vitality and resonance comes from its unique decentralized structure.  The League is a grassroots organization, working at the national, state, and local levels.

There are Leagues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong, in addition to the hundreds of local Leagues nationwide. The League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters Education Fund operate at the national level with grassroots support from state and local Leagues.

The League of Women Voters is strictly nonpartisan; it neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government. At the same time, the League is wholeheartedly political and works to influence policy through advocacy. It is the original grassroots citizen network, directed by the consensus of its members nationwide. The 900 state and local Leagues comprise a vast grassroots lobby corps that can be mobilized when necessary.

Over time, the League's legislative priorities change to reflect the needs of society and critical issues of concern. The organization remains true to its basic purpose: to make democracy work for all citizens. The League of Women Voters makes a difference in the lives of citizens because of the energy and passion of thousands of members committed to our principles.

In response to the need for League members to work together on broad-reaching regional issues, seven Leagues within Cuyahoga County consolidated into one large League in 2003. We are now poised to serve 48 communities within the county.* As new members join us we will expand our work into more of these communities. Already we have provided services such as Candidates' Nights to a number of Cuyahoga County suburban areas.

*Other municipalities in Cuyahoga County are part of two other local Leagues: Shaker Heights and Cleveland Area.  The presidents of the three Leagues meet regularly in order to coordinate plans.