About Our League
OUR STORY
LWV National Organization
The League of Women Voters (LWV) was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920 during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. The convention was held six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, giving women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle.
The LWV was designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters. It encouraged them to use their new power to participate in shaping public policy.
From the beginning, the LWV has been an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that citizens should play a critical role in advocacy. It was then, and is now, a nonpartisan organization. LWV founders believed that maintaining a nonpartisan stance would protect the new organization from becoming mired in the party politics. LWV encouraged members to be politically aware and engaged individuals. LWV educated citizens about, and lobbied for, government and social reform legislation.
This holds true today. The LWV 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. The LWV has a long, rich history, that continues with each passing year.
Woodbury Cottage Grove Area League
Established in 1968 and celebrating 50 years in 2018, the League of Women Voters Woodbury, Cottage Grove Area is one of the area’s most respected grassroots organizations. We strive to strengthen our democracy by increasing voter participation, exploring public policy from many points of view, and taking action on issues affecting our families and communities.
WHERE WE STAND
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: Promote an open government system that represents, accountable and responsible responsive by exampling issues such as voting rights, election processes, children’s rights and Congress and the Presidency.
SOCIAL POLICY: Secure equal rights and equal opportunities for all. Promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans through the lens of issue areas of issue areas like equity of opportunity, financial policy, health care, immigration, meeting basic needs, child care, and early intervention for children at risk.
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT: Promote an environment beneficial to life through the protections and wise management of natural resources in the public interest.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Promote peace in the interdependent world by working cooperatively with other nations and strengthening international organizations.
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
In this season of gratitude and blessings, the League of Women Voters of Woodbury Cottage Grove Area would like to recognize and express our thanks for the wonderful partnerships we have had in 2020. By working together we have all been able to strengthen the communities we serve.