Fifty decades of bringing democracy to Woodland residents was recognized by the City Council this week. In advance of its Golden Anniversary celebration, the Woodland League of Women Voters received a proclamation honoring the work it has done to keep…
Fifty decades of bringing democracy to Woodland residents was recognized by the City Council this week.
In advance of its Golden Anniversary celebration, the Woodland League of Women Voters received a proclamation honoring the work it has done to keep people informed about candidates and public issues.
The Woodland League — which is in the process of expanding countywide — is scheduled to host an anniversary brunch at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, open to past and current members.
But on Tuesday, Woodland Mayor Tania Garcia-Cadena told League President Karen Urbano the organization should be praised for its nonpartisan services.
The 50th Anniversary Proclamation, as read by Garcia-Cadena, recognized that the League was formed as a provisional League with Cleo Gibson as its first president to offer nonpartisan and fair voter service to the community.
Woodland League of Women Voters President Karen Urbano receives a proclamation from Woodland Mayor Tania Garcia-Cadena for the organization's 50 years of providing nonpartisan information public issues and political candidates. (Jim Smith/Courtesy)
However, the history of the local League dates back to the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution when women received the right to vote in August 1920.
It was in February 1920 – several months before the 19th Amendment became law – the League of Women Voters of the United States was founded. In California, "Equal Suffrage for Women" became law as of Oct. 10, 1911, with documentation existing of several women from Yolo County registering to vote.
In Woodland, Cleo Gibson became the first president of the organization charged with offering "nonpartisan and fair voter service to the community."
Other founding members, said Garcia-Cadena, included Janet Ruggiero, Judy Simas, and Meg Stallard. Both Ruggiero and Simas were present, along with more than a dozen other League members, to receive the city's resolution.
For the remainder of June, the League will also be displaying an exhibit in Woodland's City Hall commemorating its commitment to non-partisan voter outreach and promoting informed citizen participation at all levels of government.
The Woodland League and Davis League are in the process of combining their resources to form a Yolo County League of Women Voters. Eventually, it is hoped that there will be "satellite" groups located throughout the county.
People who are a past or current member of the League who wish to attend the June 15 event, are asked to call or text Judy Wolhfrom at (707) 315-1229; or e-mail WoodlandLeagueNews@gmail.com.
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