LWVMP & 95th Anniversary of the LWV

by Care Lengel

How inspiring to hear about our forebears and friends, about our national League roots and our local League history! Since 1941, these Phoenix citizens contributed to our community, and they helped shaped Phoenix and Arizona today.

Local League leaders (those remembered today and those sitting here in front of me) have all contributed! You registered voters, published pamphlets on propositions, held candidate forums, ran units, and encouraged voters to vote! Leaguers changed laws; worked for better government and better elections; and kept the public eye turned on officials and official policies from the environment to health care to fair elections. You, all, made the League what it is today.

Now, is a crucial moment for the League of Voters of Metro Phoenix. As we look backward today from this “corner in time,” (Grace Slick, 1968) we also look into the future.  My mom, Skeet, said that as one grows older, one must accept what she can do or not do. Today, each of us can still contribute and can encourage others to participate in democracy that is “of, by, and for the people” (paraph. Gettysberg Address.)

Leaguers of the past and you here today are leading our League into still making a difference! Every time one reads the paper, writes a letter, shares an email, calls a candidate, sends a great event to post online, researches a bill on Arizona’s ALIS website, uses the Legislature’s RTS (Request to Speak) system, or pays League dues, she is still contributing to today’s League. Every time a Leaguer registers a voter, educates a citizen, or speaks to power, hammers kids, grandkids, and their friends about getting involved, or sends in a donation, she grows Metro League for the future.

So, I congratulate the Metro League. May we cherish memories of our past. May we seek ways we can contribute today. And may we honor and challenge ourselves to still serve our state’s future, however we can for as long as we can. Here’s to Leaguers, past, present, and future!