With a heavy heart, I inform you that Carol Jones passed away on December 17th, 2020. Carol had a long, committed history as a member of the League of Women Voters of Sussex County and the League of Women Voters of Delaware.
Carol began her League career with the Sussex League of Women Voters in 1997. At the time Carol joined the Sussex League, the organization had been struggling for several years just to survive. With a few other committed members, Carol was pivotal in reviving the organization by recruiting new members and paving the way for the thriving, vital organization it is today. Just four years later, she was elected president, serving from 2001 to 2003 and continued as a Board member through September 2008.
Carol served as president of the League of Women Voters of Delaware from 2011 to 2013. In 2019, the League again called Carol to serve as president. Among Carol's many accomplishments, she initiated and supported the innovative League zoom presentations, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awareness Program, now familiarly referred to as DEI.
As we reflect on Carol and her many contributions to the League, several memorable moments come to mind.
League members, as well as the general public, are likely to recall Carol's legendary service as moderator for League programs as well as for other community civic organizations. Over the years, Carol moderated fourteen of the most recent sixteen Land Use Forums, as well as innumerable candidate forums. With her roughly hewn gavel in hand, neither forum panel participants, nor political candidates, nor any one of the innumerable attendees had reason to doubt that the event would proceed for the benefit of all according to Carol's clearly articulated guidelines. Despite her diminutive appearance, Carol could most effectively rein in any individual who failed to pay heed to her meeting precepts. Quoting WWII refugee and Massachusetts LWV president Lotte Scharfman, Carol unfailingly concluded every event with the admonition to all: "Remember, democracy is not a spectator sport!"
Or maybe we remember her tireless commitment to the civic campaign series. As Civic Committee Chair, Carol, her committee, and the Delaware Humanities produced a series on the US and Delaware Constitutions, entitled "We're the WE in We the People." She also completed a one-hour video lecture on the 19th Amendment called "The 19th Amendment". They are both extremely commendable productions and an appreciable legacy as a source of ongoing learning. You will find them both on YouTube here.
In celebration of the 19th Amendment's 100th Anniversary, Carol applied her widely recognized skills for memorable party planning which included all members and friends of the Delaware League. The significant crowd was welcomed to the Rehoboth Beach Museum to enjoy a lively lecture on the more than seven-decade struggle to secure women's suffrage. On that celebratory February 14th evening, with a glass of her favorite Prosecco in hand, Carol toasted the committed group of women who,100 years earlier, had founded the League. She then spoke of the challenges yet before us. The conversation was lively as the Prosecco flowed freely. Everyone celebrated this notable achievement while enjoying the delectable pastries Carol personally selected.
However, not many of us know about "Flappers to Scrappers." In this article written by Carol, she briefly described the complex history of The League of Women Voters. More importantly, she presented an interesting perspective about the League of Women Voters of Delaware and the League of Women Voters of Sussex County. Are you intrigued? You can read her fascinating article here
As a League member and a friend, it is a challenge to include all the many contributions and memorable moments Carol has given us. Perhaps you have some of your own. These vivid memories of an inimitable colleague are what will keep Carol alive in our hearts and minds...forever.
Gwendolyn Miller, President
League of Women Voters of Sussex County
Photo by Ross Kruglak
