Voters rights
Diane Solis, President of ELWL, Emporia
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26 marked the 89th anniversary of the constitutional amendment that granted women the right to vote.
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters — founded the same year women achieved this right — celebrates Women’s Equality Day by remembering this historic achievement and looking forward to greater civic participation and healthy debate on the issues that matter most to our communities.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.
As we face new and even greater challenges as a nation, the League will continue to support smart, active, local leaders who are dedicated to safeguarding democracy. These leaders are in your communities, engaging elected officials as we work together to find viable solutions.
“The League of Women Voters of Emporia believes that the hands-on work of an engaged citizenry can and does lead to civic improvement at all levels of government. Women’s Equality Day is a celebration of such a basic part of our democratic process — the right to vote — and the opportunities to channel that power into real, lasting change, starting at the grassroots level.”
The League of Women Voters of Emporia has worked for 51 years to safeguard democracy through expanded civic engagement. As League members we have the opportunity to have a profound direct and positive impact on the issues that matter most to our community and what better day than the anniversary of the 19th Amendment to recognize the day and get involved.
Diane Solis
President of ELWL, Emporia
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
The women of this town need to raise less flowers and more Hell. I have hardly ever noticed a woman who would come forward and speak at the city commission's public speech time at the end of every meeting. I pray that the women of Emporia will have the grit and tenacity of a weed. Come on and go the extra mile, guess what it's not very crowded.
September 2, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
Theresa Walters has the fortitude to come out publicly and speak her mind, so does Julie Johnson, Kari Hess, Bobbie Sauder and many others. Far too often though people don't want to listen to what they have to say. Instead of listening to these influential women and understanding what they are saying, people bash them for their ideas because of a difference of opinion. It takes a lot of courage for these women, and really the men as well, to sit on the commission or to bring new ideas to Emporia. In choosing to do so, they face ridicule and harassment from people who aren't brave enough to do it themselves, or who aren't intelligent enough to know that it is ok to disagree with them.
I applaud the women and men who give their time to try to help Emporia. I might not always agree with what they do but I give them my respect.
September 2, 2009 at 4:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Mrs. Solis, SUPER article!!!! How important, in this time, that people realize that not only women but also men make up the membership to "League of Women Voters" and that it is neither party, but ment to be informative.
Yes, we as women DO hold a very important place in our society and is so very needed to get the word out, that "Yes" we do have a voice!!!!
September 2, 2009 at 9:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )