The League of Women Voters encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The League of Women Voters (LWV) is celebrating its 90th birthday on Feb. 14, 2010. Known widely for its voter education and advocacy efforts, this non-partisan political group has had an active chapter in Decorah for the past decade.
“This year's 90th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters has special meaning for our local chapter, and for me. My mother, Cicely Joslyn, was an active member of LWV for most of her adult life and she often said that League participation helped increase her understanding of complex issues and her confidence in voting,”
- said Current Local President,
Pat Johnson.Joslyn, who resided at Vennehjem in Decorah, passed away on Dec. 31, 2009 at age 96. She was a League member for over 70 years and was born, in 1913, at a time when women did not yet have the right to vote.
“The women who started the movement to give women the right to vote really didn’t know if, how or when they would succeed,” says Johnson. “They persevered, however – changing our democracy and society. Today we are equally committed to improving our democracy, and keeping our community healthy, vibrant and strong for all.”
Logo is link to LWV website
Local League members currently serve on 3 different city commissions (historic preservation, planning and zoning, board of adjustment) and League members have served on city council, school board and the human rights commission in past years. Currently the city of Decorah is actively seeking to achieve gender balance on all local boards and commissions and the League supports and encourages this effort.
Last fall, the Upper Iowa League chapter sponsored a city candidates forum prior to the Nov. election. There was also a members' picnic featuring locally grown/produced food and a speaker from the Pepperfield Project. The League held two "hot topics" lunch meetings on health care reform and climate change, and in December met with state legislators to discuss issues of priority for the 2010 session.
In past years, local Leaguers lobbied for an increase in the state cigarette tax. This tax was finally increased by the Iowa legislature in 2007 and in 2008, the Smoke Free Air Act was passed. These actions have, according to a recent report by the University of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Public Health, resulted in significant decreases in the number of hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease, in particular, coronary heart disease. This is just one example of the League's successful lobbying efforts that have a direct impact on the community.
In 1920, after a 72-year struggle, and when passage of the 19th amendment appeared to be imminent, members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association met to form the League of Women Voters. Carrie Chapman Catt first proposed the creation of a League to “finish the fight” and to work to end all discrimination against women. While initially concerned with the status and rights of women, the League of Women Voters gradually expanded its interests to include issues affecting the whole community. Today, the League works to effect change on a wide variety of issues including health care, education, climate change, land use, and election and campaign finance reform.
| Contact Person | Contact |
|---|---|
| LWVUI President Pat Johnson, | at 563-382-3829 |
| LWVUI Officer Nancy Bolson, | at 563-382-2409 |
| LWVUI Director Carol Hagen, | at 563-382-4007 |
| LWVUI webmaster, | email:- lwvui *at* yahoo *dot* com |
“The League of Women Voters of the United States has more than 150,000 members and supporters nationwide, and we are one of the most trusted non-partisan organizations in the U.S. Our members and the public rely on us to share information responsibly and accurately, because that is what we have done for almost 90 years,” said Wilson, President of LWV -- lwv.org. “Make no mistake: The League of Women Voters believes quality, affordable health care should be available to all Americans,” Wilson stated.
The following letter to the Editor recently appeared in The Decorah Newspaper. It was submitted by LWVUI Co-Presidents.
The League of Women Voters urges the U.S. Congress to pass real health care reform in the next few months. Citizens have a role in this process also: to learn about this crucial issue and press their representatives to vote for serious reform.
We are facing a health care crisis caused by a combination of skyrocketing costs and an insurance system that leaves 47 million of us without any coverage. The current health care system is endangering our economy, and voters have made it clear that they want change. According to a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, 70 percent of Americans surveyed believe the health care system needs major changes, if not a complete overhaul.
Health care reform legislation must guarantee quality, affordable health care for all U.S. residents. The League believes that it is universal coverage that will determine the humanity of our system. All Americans must have access to health care, including the choice of a quality, affordable public insurance plan.
Reducing the costs of health care must be a part of the reform plan. As a nation, we are spending $1 out of every $6 we earn on health care. Reform legislation must provide effective cost controls, emphasize prevention and promote efficient and economical delivery of care. Offering everyone the choice of a government administered health insurance plan like Medicare that would compete with private health insurance plans will be key to genuine reform.
In addition, it is essential that comparative data on treatments, benefits packages and medical outcomes be made publicly available so that individuals can make informed health decisions.
Achieving this kind of comprehensive reform will require bold action from Congress to do what is best for the American people, and citizen support for the effort as well.
- Contact Senators Grassley and Harkin and Representative Latham, and ask them to support serious, comprehensive health care reform now.
- Senator Grassley
- Senator Harkin
- Representative Latham
League of Women Voters®
of Upper Iowa