By the Numbers: League of Women Voters

In honor of the June 3-5 gathering of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor, we offer a few numerical insights into the political but non-partisan organization that has helped shape public policy since its formation in 1920 as a “mighty political experiment” of newly enfranchised women.

18

The number of local leagues under the umbrella of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin.

69

The number of items in the first league program in 1920. League President Maud Wood Park referred to it as a “kettle of eels” for all the societal subjects broached, including independent citizenship for married women.

900

The number of state and local leagues, including all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong.

1920

The year the organization was founded, just six months before ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, allowing women to vote. The exact date of formation was Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14, 1920.

1928

The year the league held its first “Meet the Candidates” forum. It was also the first national radio broadcast of a candidate forum.

1974

The year the league opened membership to men.

1976

The year the league won an Emmy Award for its televised debate between presidential candidates Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. It was the first televised presidential debate since the 1960s.

2012

The year the league created National Voter Registration Day, a day when volunteers work to register voters and increase participation.

Sources: From Suffrage to the Senate: An Encyclopedia of American Women in Politics, Vol. 1; library.lwv.org