League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area

Carrie Chapman Catt and others organized the League of Women Voters of the United States in 1920. The League of Women Voters of Michigan was formed a year earlier on April 4, 1919 at a convention of the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association. The League’s first goal was to teach women how to exercise their new right to vote; the scope was soon enlarged to include service to all citizens. Political action based on knowledge gained from study became the cornerstone of the League’s diverse agenda. Educating our citizens about government and relevant state and local issues is a major League activity. Through community handbooks, political directories, and factual studies of issues, the League provides unbiased information necessary for an informed electorate. Community organizations often call upon the League for speakers on selected topics about government. The League never supports or opposes any political party or candidate for elective office. Because of scrupulous adherence to this nonpartisan political policy, the League takes action only in the public interest and only on issues on which members have reached consensus after conducting studies. However, as individuals, League members are encouraged to join fully in the political process.