History through the Minutes

The Pasadena League of Women Voters was born in 1936. By 1941, the League had 239 members and a lively collection of subjects being studied. The LWV-PA office has a treasure trove of old League minutes, and I have been examining entries from the 1940s to the 1970s. Understanding this history involves learning about the development of LWV-PA’s ideas and projects over time. I’m hoping that taking a Reader’s Digest approach by reviewing snippets (each of which may seem superficial on its own) can provide insight into these earnest, smart, persistent women and the issues that drove them and the League. Here is an excerpt from December 15, 1941, when the Board took time to discuss how to respond to current events.

Mrs. Reichardt presented the question raised by all Leagues on the place of the League in the war days ahead. Some Leagues fear that members may not realize the importance of the League in wartime and may therefore drop it for other more pressing war activities. They feel that as a League we should do something linked more actively with the war effort. . . . Two specific suggestions have been made. 1. Mrs. McLain has suggested general meetings (lectures) to give background for the war. 2. Mrs. Pierce has suggested that we open an information center to supplement the one at the Library, which is primarily a clipping bureau. Lively discussion ensued:

Nothing at the Library gives information on Consumer problems. Mrs. Chance suggested the County League sponsor a radio program for consumers every morning. Miss Bennett suggested a Civilian Defense Chairman be appointed to serve on the Board of the League, whose duty it would be to point out to various Section Chairmen pertinent materials relating to Defense and the war. Mrs. Wood spoke of the rise in juvenile delinquency after the declaration of war. Mrs. Foskett suggested that each person continue what he is doing and take on just one extra task for defense. . . . Mrs. Chance suggested that Section chairmen keep materials and government bulletins up to date and on hand at the library information bureau and put on the material our name and office and say the pamphlet is available for 10 cents or whatever the charge is.

Mrs. Foskett moved: A Defense Chairman be appointed and authorized to cooperate with the President to work out an integrated program on defense. Seconded and approved. . . .

Mrs. Wood spoke of the desirability of impressing members of the League with the value of the League’s keeping alive the things for which we have stood in the past, such as civil service, reciprocal trade relations, etc. Mrs. Boyle sees no reason why all of our democratic prerogatives have to be put on ice for the duration.

—Elsa Pendleton