League of Women Voters of Virginia Holds 40th Biennial Convention

From The League of Women Voters of Virginia:

The League of Women Voters of Virginia held its 40th biennial convention on May 22-23 with the theme "Democracy for All -- Now is the Time."

Carolyn Jefferson Jenkins, former president of the League of Women Voters of the U.S. and author of “The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters,” opened the virtual convention by congratulating the League for all that it has accomplished in its 101-year history and by challenging the League’s Virginia members "to reflect on the League history as a prelude to the future" in order to bring about "a more inclusive organization and a more inclusive democracy." She added that "the ratification of the 19th amendment did not guarantee suffrage equality for all but exposed the underlying issues of race. The events of 2020 and today remind us," she continued, "that social and racial injustice, gender inequality, election integrity and informed civic engagement are all fights that we still have to undertake." She urged the members to be prepared to be uncomfortable, even to commit to being uncomfortable, because that leads to power.

The delegates, who numbered over 120 and hailed from all 14 chapter leagues across Virginia, approved a new position supporting state funding mechanisms and laws/policies that increase the supply of and access to safe, quality, affordable housing for all Virginians. The delegates also updated the League’s election laws position, supporting election laws, policies and funding to ensure that elections are secure and the outcomes verified.

Discussions revolved around what is needed to achieve equal justice, better methods for treating behavioral health, and addressing inequities in health care. Delegates also discussed the challenges in redistricting and fighting climate change, and brain-stormed on ideas to engage with student voters. Finally, delegates heard from Emily Frye and Marc Schneider from the MITRE Corporation on how misinformation and disinformation, spread via social media, lead to voter suppression.

In her final remarks, LWV Virginia President Deb Wake highlighted the League’s many recent successes but stressed that the need for members’ action and advocacy efforts has never been stronger. "We support the vision that created a representative democracy where everyone has a voice and a seat at the table. The last two years have brought a lot of change in Virginia." "We," she emphasized, "have brought a lot of change to Virginia. Our work is not done. Democracy for All -- Now is the Time."

The convention closed with the announcement that the Virginia League’s 41st biennial convention will be held in June 2023 in Williamsburg.

The League of Women Voters is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public. Information about the League of Women Voters of Virginia, its positions and activities, can be found at www.LWV-VA.org.