Skip to main content
HomeHistory of the League

History of the League



National Level

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS of the United States (LWVUS) was founded on February 14, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois. Born of the women’s suffrage movement, the League was organized when it became apparent that the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing voting rights to women citizens, would finally be ratified. The League is nonpartisan; it neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government. At the same time, the League works to influence policy through advocacy.

Check out an interactive timeline at www.lwv.org.

State Level

Our Vision: We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate.
Our Mission: Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

In Colorado, the League of Women Voters (LWVCO) was organized in 1928. Throughout its history, members have researched, studied, discussed, and reached consensus on many controversial issues. The League in Colorado has had an impact in many areas of government. Some of our notable achievements include:

Automatic Voter Registration (2019)
Restored Voting Rights for Parolees (2019)
National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (2019)
Equal Pay for Equal Work (2019)
Amendments Y & Z, establishing bipartisan redistricting commissions following each census to combat gerrymandering (2018)
Opposition of Amendment 75, allowing politicians to buy their own election
Support for Referendum C, – Five-Year Timeout from TABOR (Statutory Amendment 2005)
“GAVEL” – “Give A Vote to Every Legislator” – Legislative Reform (Constitutional Amendment 1988)
“Motor Voter” Voter Registration at Motor Vehicle Sites (Statutory Amendment 1984)
Independent Reapportionment Commission (Constitutional Amendment 1974)
Merit Selection of Judges (Constitutional Amendment 1966)


Explore 90 years of Colorado League history in the recently released, A Force for Change for 90 Years: The League of Women Voters of Colorado 1928 - 2018. This revised edition of Wilma Davidson's original A Force for Change provides an additional 22 years of history!

Thank you to the LWVCO History Committee (Bobbie Heisterkamp, Gerry Cummins, Rona Schor, Diane Young, Lorie Young).






Local Level

Colorado has many Local Leagues. Find yours today!

Non-Discrimination Policy: The League of Women Voters of Colorado Board, staff and volunteers should reflect the diversity of the organization, constituencies, and the broader community. To this end, there should be no barriers to participation in any activity of the LWVCO on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, military or veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender expression, or socioeconomic status. The LWVCO, in all its activities, reflects these principles in values and in practice.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy: LWVCO is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in principle and in practice. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identify, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policymakers in creating a more perfect democracy.
Colorado Women are Citizens




Connect with Us


Join our social media network by connecting with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter



  

Get Our E-Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter to receive updates on our work, statewide events, research, and much more.

Join Mailing List

Join  |   Donate  |   Volunteer  |   Newsletter