Empowering Communities Through Nonpartisan Civic Engagement
Have you ever wondered who creates those helpful nonpartisan Voters Guides before elections, or who’s behind the civic engagement columns you’ve been reading in the Fayette County Record? As President and founder of the League of Women Voters of South Central Texas, I’m thrilled to invite you into our story— a story of dedicated citizens working together to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level. From encouraging candidates to run for office to showcasing talented student writers in our Celebrating Women Student Writing Showcase, our work reflects a century-long tradition of fostering informed and active participation in government.
My journey with the League began years ago in Memphis, Tennessee, where I became a long-distance admirer of their work. Though too busy with my career and family to volunteer then, I promised myself I would join the League when the time was right. As a Texan with deep family roots in South Central Texas through my mother’s German family, I moved to Hallettsville twenty years ago to be near my aging parents. My job allowed me to work remotely, but it wasn’t until retiring in 2017 that I could fully engage with this wonderful community. That’s when I invited four friends to gather around my kitchen table to start our League chapter, inspired by the organization I had long admired from afar.
The League of Women Voters (LWV) stands as one of America’s most respected nonpartisan civic organizations, with a century of accomplishments since its founding in 1920. Born during the women’s suffrage movement, the LWV emerged just six months before the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Its founder, Carrie Chapman Catt, envisioned an organization to help newly enfranchised women exercise their civic responsibilities through political education and active participation.
Throughout its history, the LWV has championed transformative initiatives. In the 1920s-30s, it advocated for maternal and child care support and helped establish the Tennessee Valley Authority, bringing electricity to rural areas. The League played a key role in forming the United Nations, with its national President serving as a delegate to the 1945 UN Charter Conference. It was instrumental in passing the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. The LWV also pioneered presidential debates, sponsoring them from 1976 until 1988.
Beyond voting rights, the League has successfully advocated for consumer protection, environmental conservation, and campaign finance reform, helping pass the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Air Act amendments.
Today, the League remains a powerful force in American democracy, with approximately 750 local leagues across all 50 states. Perhaps most remarkably, the LWV has maintained its nonpartisan stance over the years, focusing on issues rather than parties or candidates—a principled approach that builds trust across political divides.
Our chapter is one of the newest in Texas and among the few serving rural communities. We span five counties—Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Gonzales, and Lavaca—covering almost 100 miles. Since 2017, we’ve grown from those five founding members working at my kitchen table to over eighty, spread across our five rural counties.
Through our Voters Guides and election reminders, we’re working to increase voter turnout to match our community’s high registration numbers. Our Women Making History program recognizes the remarkable contributions women have made and continue to make locally. Special initiatives like our recent Local News and Democracy project create opportunities for residents to learn about and address issues central to our community’s quality of life.
We’re committed to growing our circle of members, friends, and partners while upholding the League’s century-long tradition of nonpartisan civic engagement. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and participation in our efforts to strengthen democracy at the local level.