The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation this week recognizing February 14th, 2020 as "League of Women Voters Day" in Maricopa County. The recognition comes as the League celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Founded in 1920 with the goal of helping 20 million women exercise their newly-granted right to vote, the League of Women Voters has created a legacy beyond even that ambitious goal. It is a legacy of empowering voters and defending democracy irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation. Below is the full text of the proclamation approved by the Board:
PROCLAMATION Celebrating League of Women Voters 100th Anniversary
WHEREAS, The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 as a “mighty political experiment” by the foremothers of the suffragist movement at the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and;
WHEREAS, the League’s goal was to help the 20 million women who were granted the right to vote by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution understand and carry out their new responsibilities as voters, and;
WHEREAS, due to the League’s successful efforts over the last 100 years to uphold its mission to empower voters and defend democracy, the League has become a trusted, nonpartisan, grassroots organization, and;
WHEREAS, the League has sponsored legislation and fought to protect and strengthen voting rights and access, as well as free and fair elections, and;
WHEREAS, the League has consistently been noted for nonpartisan election information, sponsorship of candidate forums and their commitment to register, educate and mobilize voters, and;
WHEREAS, the League believes that active and engaged citizens, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or political affiliation are the hallmark of democracy;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim February 14 as League of Women Voters Day, and congratulates the League on its 100th Anniversary.