PROCLAMATION
CELEBRATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
WHEREAS, on February 14, 1920, the League of Women Voters (“League”) was formed at the Congress Hotel in Chicago, Illinois;
WHEREAS, the League was formed six months prior to, but in anticipation of, ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote in the United States;
WHEREAS, the League was a political experiment designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters by educating them about issues;
WHEREAS, from the beginning the League determined that it would be nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing any political party or individual candidate;
WHEREAS, the League continues today as a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy;
WHEREAS, today the League is composed of members in over 700 local, county, and state leagues in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Hong Kong;
WHEREAS, among those state Leagues is the League of Women Voters of Illinois that was incorporated on March 22, 1920 and in turn is composed of over 40 local Leagues with almost 4,000 members;
WHEREAS, among those local Leagues in Illinois is the Aurora Area chapter that was recognized on July 25, 2019, and in turn is composed of 28 members;
WHEREAS, the League is a civic organization that has fought since 1920 to improve government and engage everyone in the decisions that impact their lives;
WHEREAS, the League will celebrate its 100th anniversary on February 14, 2020;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that I, Dale Berman, Village President, and the Board of Trustees of North Aurora do hereby proclaim February 14, 2020 as a date to celebrate the League of Women Voters and its vision of a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate.
