In her address to the National American Woman Suffrage Association's (NAWSA) 50th convention in St. Louis, Missouri, President Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the creation of a "league of women voters to finish the fight and aid in the reconstruction of the nation."  Women Voters was formed within the NAWSA, composed of the organizations in the states where suffrage had already been attained. In her address to the National American Woman Suffrage Association's (NAWSA) 50th convention in St. Louis, Missouri, President Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the creation of a "league of women voters to finish the fight and aid in the reconstruction of the nation." Women Voters was formed within the NAWSA, composed of the organizations in the states where suffrage had already been attained. February 14, 1920 On February 14, 1920 - six months before the 19th amendment to the Constitution was ratified - the League was formally organized in Chicago as the national League of Women Voters. Catt described the purpose of the new organization: Maud Wood Park was the first national president of the League and thus the first League leader to rise to the challenge. She had steered the women's suffrage amendment through Congress in the last two years before ratification and liked nothing better than legislative work. From the very beginning, however, it was apparent that the legislative goals of the League were not exclusively focused on women's issues and that citizen education aimed at all of the electorate was in order. Maud Wood Park "The League of Women Voters is not to dissolve any present organization but to unite all existing organizations of women who believe in its principles. It is not to lure women from partisanship but to combine them in an effort for legislation which will protect coming movements, which we cannot even foretell, from suffering the untoward conditions which have hindered for so long the coming of equal suffrage. Are the women of the United States big enough to see their opportunity?" 1920 1930's The League's first major national legislative success was the passage of the Sheppard-Towner Act, providing federal aid for maternal and child care programs. In the 1930's, League members worked successfully for enactment of the Social Security and Food and Drugs Act. 1930 1938 - 1940 1940 Due at least in part to League efforts, legislation passed in 1938 and 1940 removed hundreds of federal jobs from the spoils system and placed them under Civil Service. During postwar period, the League helped lead the effort to establish the United Nations and to ensure the U.S. Participation. The League was one of the first organizations in the country officially recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization; it still maintains official observer status today. See the more History on the League of Women Voters of the US website Read the 5 page History of the LWV Metro Des Moines that was taken from the LWV Iowa centennial book entitled "And They Persisted" written by LWV member, Linda Meloy. Up WHAT WILL THE NEXT 100 YEARS HOLD? The League of Women Voters has evolved from a mighty political experiment designed to help 20 million newly enfranchised women vote in 1920, to a nonpartisan organization that is a recognized force in molding political leaders, shaping public policy, and promoting informed civic participation. To join us for our next 100 years, join your local League today! BECOME A MEMBER!

BOARD MEETING INFORMATION: LWV Metropolitan Des Moines Board meeting 2026-2027 (monthly meetings - virtual) 1st Wednesday of each month at 6 PM – for 1 hour 2026 AUG 5th SEPT 2nd OCT 7th NOV 4th DEC 2nd Attendance is not limited to Board members If you want to attend, contact John Olsen 515-218-0239 drvote2@gmail.com John provides the zoom link Board vacancies exist - if interested in filling a vacancy, please contact teresabomhoff3100@gmail.com 2027 JAN 6th FEB 3rd MAR 3rd APRIL 7th MAY 5th JUNE 2nd JULY 7th EVENTS Next Next Next LWVIA Legislative Priorities What are the "2026 Legislative Results?" MANY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IMPORTANT DATES COFFEE & CONVERSATION COFFEE WITH A PURPOSE BOOK DISCUSSION Next Next Next Next Next Next A Proud LWV Historical Moment Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month BLACK HISTORY MONTH Next Next Next Does This Story Sound Familiar? Women's History Month May is Mental Health Month A Constitutional Amendment Refresher Major Supreme Court Decisions in 2026 Open Primaries and National Popular Vote Compact Next Major Supreme Court Decisions in 2026 (as of June 30, 2026) The Supreme Court term began October 2025 Read more: Next Next Next Next Next State Finances - Crash and Burn? ACLU - Recording and Documenting Police and Federal Agents Red Cards

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL We can’t find the page you’re looking for This page doesn’t exist. Go to Home and keep exploring. Go to Home