The League of Women Voters of Washington County turns 100 years old this March, and the organization is celebrating with a party that includes a powerhouse line-up of bands at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville.
"We can't think of a better way to celebrate our 100th anniversary than with a musical celebration comprised of women-led bands and empowering speakers," says the LWV's president, Bonnie Miller. "A lot of the work we do throughout the year is very serious, as it should be. We're those individuals constantly 'in the weeds' with policy, so we wanted to do something fun to celebrate an entire century of defending democracy. We're a very focused and determined organization, but we also know how to throw a fun event."
FAQ
Century Celebration: League of Women Voters
WHEN — 2 p.m. March 1
WHERE — George’s Majestic Lounge, 519 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville
COST — $5
INFO — lwvarwc.org
Bands performing include Jenna and the Soulshakers, the Dawn Cate Band, Jamie Lou and the Hullabaloo, Leah and the Mojo Doctors and Rochelle Bradshaw and Hypnotion .
Miller says that the LWV is still going strong because it fills a valuable niche in the community.
"Our nonpartisan stance has allowed us to withstand hyper-partisan climates and remain a trusted resource to the community," she notes. "The League founders believed that remaining nonpartisan would keep the organization from getting mired in the party politics of the day, and they were right. Despite the League's official nonpartisan position, we do encourage our members to become active politically. We take a lot of pride in providing members with the training and resources needed to run for office."
According to Miller, the organization has a century-long record of keeping voters informed "on everything from ballot issues to the weakness of the foster care system [to] the dangers of fracking. League activists helped to create Fayetteville's recycling program, our sign ordinance, our tree ordinance and policies protecting green spaces."
Other League efforts include registering voters, hosting candidate forums, advocating to the state Legislature and participating in policy-shaping at both the state and local level.
The organization has evolved over the years, says Miller.
"We weren't always on the right side of history," she says. "Many of the women who fought for suffrage in the early 20th century were only working for voting rights for white women. The League didn't take a strong stand on racial equity and against voting discrimination until well into the national civil rights movement. We're stronger today because we're more diverse and because we actively work to include the voices and concerns of people of color in all our work. Our speakers for March 1 reflect that. They include me, local League president; Rep. Denise Ennett of Little Rock, who is working to get more women of color to run for office; Raven Cook, a community educator who is working on voter registration and political organization; and [Fayetteville] Mayor Lioneld Jordan."
And, says Miller, the organization has no plans of slowing down any time soon.
"We're going to remain vigilant and fierce defenders of democracy as we enter our next century."
NAN What's Up on 02/21/2020