History of LWV of Delaware

History of LWV of Delaware

LWVDE

What is the History of the League of Women Voters in Delaware?

 The history of the League goes back to 1920, the year that women won the right to vote. Ms. Mabel Lloyd Ridgely was President of both the Delaware Equal Rights Association and the Suffrage Committee of Delaware. From these groups the League of Women Voters of Delaware was founded. 

      • Some activities of this early League included voters service activities, work toward abolition of child labor and support of school construction in the state, as well as, new highways.
      • There is little mention of the League later in the decade. There is some indication that the group lacked organization needed to continue.
      • The League reappeared in Delaware in 1953 with the formation of the Newark League. 
      • The Greater Wilmington League was also founded in 1953 with Evelyn Lord as first president. 
      • The Laurel League was formed in 1957 and reorganized as the Sussex County League in 1976. 
      • The League of Women Voters of Delaware (LWVDE) was established at a convention in Dover on March 29, 1958. Norma Handloff served as first State League President and later as mayor of Newark, DE. 
      • In 1960, LWVDE instituted two enduring programs. The first is the Voter’s Guide (now published online, on VOTE411.org). The second is our annual League Day in Dover.
      • The Dover League was recognized in 1966.
      • In the 1960s and 1970s League studies on government structure and function included studies of election laws, the state constitution and the state legislature. Environmental studies and the state correction system were added later.
      • In 1976, LWVDE celebrated the national bicentennial by publishing Delaware Government: All You Wanted to Know and Didn’t Know Where to Ask.
      • In 1977, the Delaware League began dispensing information about voting and government to all newly naturalized citizens. This brought about the Delaware League of Women Voters Education Fund, established in 1985 under the leadership of Terry Dannermann. 
      • The Wilmington and Newark Leagues merged in 1994 to form the League of Women Voters of New Castle County (LWVNCC)
      • 1995 marked the 75th anniversary of women’s right to vote.
      • During 1997-98, campaign financing became a target for reform by both LWVDE and the three local Leagues.
      • Prior to the 1998 elections the Delaware League of Women Voters Education Fund, for the first time modified its policy governing the invitation of candidates to participate in forums originating in a television studio.
      • In 1999, a completely revised Delaware Government fourth edition was printed. 
      • In 2002, Delaware Government went online and has again gone through a complete revision and can be accessed on the LWVDE webpage and the "Lobby Handbook."
      • The Dover League became the Kent County League in 2008.

The League of Women Voters maintains its status as an important citizen group in Delaware, active in informing voters of their rights and responsibilities. The LWVDE continues to lobby the state legislature on many vital issues.

LWVDE PRESIDENTS

1958 – 61 Norma Handloff 1988 – 93 Joann Hasse
1961 – 62  Evelyn Lord   1993 – 95  Carole Walsh
1962 – 63  Lorraine Olson  1995 – 97 Cathy DeBovis
1963 – 65  Grace Stirba  1997 – 99 Jackie Harris
1965 – 67   June MacArtor 1999 – 01  Anita Puglisi
4/67 – 9/67  Doris Johnson  2001 – 03 Letty Diswood & Nadyne Robin
9/67 – 71  Phyl Laffey 2003 – 05 Joyce Johnson & Sue Soltys
1971 – 72   Mary Field 2005 – 07 Christine Stillson
1972 – 74  Liz Ryan 2007 – 09 Rashmi Rangan
4/74 – 12/74  Jane Tripp 2009 – 11 Sandy Spence
1/75 – 4/75  Liz Ryan  2011 – 13   Carol Jones
1975 – 76  Marcie Bierlein & Letty Diswood 2013 – 15 Charlotte F. King
1976 – 78  Kit Kallal 2015 – 17 Jill Fuchs
1978 – 80  Ada Leigh Soles 2017 – 19     Joann Hasse
1980 – 82  Ruth Helm Jul 2019 - Jun 2020 Carol Jones & Sue Claire Harper
1982 – 84 Joyce Johnson Jun - Dec 2020 Carol Jones
1984 – 86 Terry Dannemann Jan - Jun 2021  Sandy Spence
 4/86 – 12/86 Joann Hasse Jul 2021 - Jun 2023 Gwendolyn Miller
1/87 – 9/87  Rita Smith  Jul 2023 - present Tiffany Geyer Lydon
9/87 – 4/88 Liz Ryan    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several early LWVDE Presidents held positions in local and state government. Besides Norma Handloff, these included Marcie Bierlein, June MacArtor, and Jane Tripp.