The League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri turns 70 this month! On May 3, 1952, an organizational meeting held at the Greene County Courthouse established the League of Women Voters of Springfield, Missouri. A year later, at the statewide convention of the League of Women Voters held in St. Louis, the Springfield League was granted active status. Its 100 or so members elected Mona Weiser as the first president.
The League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri now serves citizens in Greene, Christian, and Webster counties. Through voter registration events, candidate forums and voter guides, the League carries on the legacy of Carrie Chapman Catt and the other suffragists who worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone has the right to participate in our democracy. Much has changed in the years since the League was formed: the candidates, the issues, the political climate. What hasn’t changed is the League’s mission to educate voters, influence public policy and bring about change. Read more of our history on our website: https://lwvswmo.org/about/local-history.
To celebrate our 70th birthday, the League of Southwest Missouri will be the official “day sponsor” on KSMU Ozarks Public Radio (91.1 FM) on Tuesday, May 3. Listen for our announcement at five points throughout the day beginning at 7:19 a.m.