Biography

The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Cedar Rapids - Marion was started and rendered inactive twice in the 1920s and 1930s before becoming the organization documented in this collection. The LWV of Cedar Rapids ? Marion that lasted was recognized as a local league of the League of Women Voters in December 1949. It was founded as a non-partisan political organization dedicated to influencing public policy through education and advocacy made by informed and active citizens. Through a two-pronged approach of voter education and non-partisan study of community problems, League members sought to educate citizens to improve the quality of life in Cedar Rapids. To achieve its goal the LWV of Cedar Rapids ? Marion focused on two fields of activity ? Voter Services and Study and Action. During the period of this collection the League kept a close eye both on its own administrative details (e.g., membership, fundraising, and meeting minutes) and on programs at the local, state, national, and international levels. Issues with which the local League was particularly concerned were Education, Justice, Natural Resources, Taxes, Social Policy (in particular, housing, child care, health care, reproductive rights, employment, and civil rights), and government at all levels. The Voter Services of the LWV of Cedar Rapids ? Marion assisted in voter registration, offered information about minor party and independent candidates, organized candidate forums and debates, and provided information on how to vote. The LWV of Cedar Rapids ? Marion produced many reports and publications, including several on getting to know the county and the community, and in 1949 began publishing a monthly newsletter "The Voter." In May 2012 the League of Women Voters of Cedar Rapids ? Marion changed its name to the League of Women Voters of Linn County in an effort to be both more inclusive and more accurate in describing its membership.

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