As we approach the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment next month, we are launching Women Power the Vote: Defining the Next 100 Years, a discussion series to explore the work we need to do over the next 100 years to ensure fair elections with participation by all, particularly those who have been disenfranchised in the past.  

Continuing the #WomenPowertheVote movement, we will kick off the series on August 12th with a conversation between Chief Executive Officer Virginia Kase and me on Facebook Live at 1 p.m. EDT. We will be discussing what lies ahead for democracy in America, and how all women can be active participants. 

It is important for us to explore the ways in which we can ensure that all voices are heard as we move forward. The voices of many Americans—particularly women of color—are still not heard in choosing their representation. As our nation’s demographics change, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the electoral process have never been more important to ensure fair representation. 

This brings me to an important conversation that many people are having about defunding the police in light of the continued violence against Black communities. We have heard from several Leagues looking for guidance around the issue of defunding the police and wanting to be good allies to Black Lives Matter and other organizations on the issue of racial justice. This movement and message mean very different things for communities across the country, and even the phrase ‘defund the police’ has different meanings for people inside and outside the racial justice movement.  

Because police budgets are localized and the cry to ‘defund the police’ means different things in different communities, it would not be appropriate for the national office to take a position on this issue. State and local Leagues can use existing League positions to formulate a localized stance on the subject. Our positions on militarization of federal forces, human rights, and civil rights can be applied to issues like police brutality or the militarization of cities with the presence of federal troops we have seen. For some communities, the desire to remove police officers from schools could relate to our positions on education and mental health. 

We empower Leagues to take positions based on our existing policies as it relates to your community and conversations with local partners in the racial justice movement. 

Lastly, we are less than 100 days away from the general election. I thank you all for your GOTV efforts as we are getting closer to the election.  

In League,

Deborah