League of Women Voters
of Umpqua Valley
Welcome to our 'About Us' Page!
The League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley:
* Sponsors nonpartisan candidate forums and unbiased ballot measure presentations during primary and general election seasons.
* Studies issues, and through member consensus, develops positions and works for community change.
* Has members observing the political process at public meetings in Douglas County.
* Is a group of women and men who value learning and strive for improved voter and community education on critical issues of our times.
* We enjoy the camaraderie of working and learning with others with similar goals of greater citizen education, participation, and empowerment.
A Brief History of Our League
The first general meeting of the Umpqua Valley League was on April 19, 1961. There were 36 members on the first membership list.
During the years since that first meeting our League has met in churches, homes, restaurants, a school's AV room, a local realtor's office, city hall, and the county courthouse. And interesting sidelight is that in 1962 there was a request from the president to the Board that "all written correspondence, minutes, etc. be signed with the husband's initials or full name."
Present members who have belonged to the Umpqua Valley League for the longest time are Jacie Pratt (1961), Lorrie Agost (1961), Lois Allen (1963), Libby Mizell (1965), and Anne Nicholas (1968).
Local studies conducted by our League have included Day Care Center and the Umpqua River Basin in the 1960's, Roseburg School District, Juvenile Offenders and the County Charter in the 1970's, Services for Older Americans and Child Care in the 1980's, and Diversity in the Community and Homelessness in Douglas County in the 1990s, a Sustainable Communities study in the 2001, and in 2004 the Umpqua Valley League lead the state in a Homeless Youth study by beginning with a local League study in Douglas County. The state League began a statewide Homeless Youth study in 2006.
Our League staged our first Candidates Fair in 1964 when we co-sponsored it with the Farm Bureau and we continue to stage successful forums for the community. In 1990 we had The News-Review as a co-sponsor. Other voter service activities at present are ballot measure presentations and distribution of the League's Voters' Guide.
Some of the same women who founded the Umpqua Valley League are still active members. Join now to be able to gain some of the valuable experiences of these women, leaders in our community for over a half century. This is truly one of the areas the League has to offer our community: a wealth of community knowledge through the eyes of and in the hearts of these dedicated and courageous citizens. Join the League now and have the opportunity to work with these dynamic citizens.
Also check out more about the League of Women Voters' state and national organizations by clicking here (on site).
League of Women Voters® of the Umpqua Valley is a grassroots, nonpartisan political organization which encourages informed and active participation in government in order to build better communities statewide.
LWVUV’s purposes are to influence public policy through education and advocacy, and to provide support for League members and the League organization.
Click here for more history of the state and national Leagues.
