About Us
The League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920, just six months before the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote after a 72-year struggle.
The League began as a "mighty political experiment" designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters. From the beginning, the League was an activist, grassroots organization whose leaders believed that citizens should play a critical role in advocacy.
The League is a nonpartisan, political organization which encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League is NOT limited to women - men can join in the fight as well.
Read our Non-Partisan Policy, approved Fall 1988; reviewed May, 2020
Each member participates in the league as time and preference permit, but every member strengthens the voice of the League and increases our impact.
The League Mission
- Encourages informed, active participation in government,
- Works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and
- Influences public policy through education and advocacy
Your Rochester League
The Rochester League is a local unit with 160 members, one of 47 local units within New York State. Fifty states, DC, Virgin Islands and Hong Kong have Leagues within the national LWV.
Each LWV local chapter has its own bylaws, policies, and positions on issues of interest, and shares the resources of state and national-level Leagues.
The Rochester League:
- Registers voters, with a special focus on registering citizens from low-registration areas, HS and college students, parolees, the homeless and newly naturalized citizens at Naturalization ceremonies.
- Conducts studies into issues of local interest.
- Conducts the Fair Election Campaign Practices initiative.
- Presents education forums presented by experts on current topics.
- Sponsors candidate debates for local offices.
- Publishes a monthly newsletter, The Voter, which provides current information on a monthly basis.
League Positions
The League of Women Voters takes a position on a number of critical issues that can translate into advocacy, and action. Click to view our chapter's local positions, and find state and national positions in their "Impact on Issues" publications.
Board of Directors
| OFFICERS: | |
|---|---|
| President: | Barbara Grosh |
| Vice President: | Cathy Kane |
| Secretary: | Constance Flahive |
| Treasurer: | Linda Saalman |
| DIRECTORS: |
|---|
| Elmira Washington |
| Tess McFarland-Porter |