Celebrating 91 years of the power of the vote

Glenview – Aug. 26 marks the 91st anniversary of the constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote.

The nonpartisan League of Women Voters — founded the same year — will celebrate Women's Equality Day by reflecting on the organization's historic achievements and looking ahead to the work League members will do this year in Glenview to engage more citizens in the electoral process.

"On this Women's Equality Day, we take time to recognize not only the historic 19th Amendment, but the tremendous progress we've made over the last 91 years in expanding and protecting voting rights," said local League president Joan Ziegler. "Generation after generation, the work of League members across the country is a testament to the incredible legacy of the power of the vote.”

“Our foremothers understood that if you don't vote, you don't count,” Joan continued. “League members are continuously working to get more citizens to exercise their right to vote, to ensure that there are not barriers for individuals to exercise this fundamental right, and that every vote is counted."

Ongoing voter registrations/outreach programs, Sustainable Food & Water Panel in October, participation in the League of Women Voters Study on “The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education, and upcoming candidate debates for the 2012 elections are some of the programs the Glenview League of Women Voters will be initiating.

"An engaged citizenry can and does lead to civic improvement at all levels of government," says Joan Ziegler. "Women's Equality Day is a celebration of such a basic part of our democratic process — the right to vote — and the opportunities to channel that power into real, lasting change, starting at the grassroots level – not just for women but for all of us."

"Members of the League of Women Voters of Glenview have worked for over 60 years to safeguard democracy through its voter registration efforts, educational forums, and local advocacy." Joan said. "As a League member, you have the opportunity to have a profound, direct and positive impact on the issues that matter most to our community, and what better day than the anniversary of the 19th Amendment to get involved?"

For information on Women's Equality Day and other upcoming events, or to learn how to become a member of the League of Women Voters of Glenview, visit http://glenview.il.lwvnet.org or www.lwv.org.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy thorough education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages. With 850 affiliates across the county, the League is one of the nation's most trusted organizations.