LWVAC is proud to have several Life Members—those who have been League members for 50 consecutive years! We’ve set out to interview them all. Here we talk with Rosalie Bandyopadhyay…
Rosalie had always been interested in current events, political issues and history ever since her 8th Grade Social Studies teacher in Philadelphia assigned the class an unusual homework project: to read the newspaper every day, choose an issue or article for presentation each Friday, and explain that choice to the rest of the class--a very early lesson in critical thinking and speaking in front of a group!
Joining the League
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in English Literature and South Asian Studies, Rosalie moved to Syracuse, New York, with her husband Bhaskar. In the fall of 1972, Rosalie, carrying her 2-month old daughter, attended her first political rally for George McGovern, candidate for President. Her interest in politics piqued, she joined the Syracuse Chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Throughout her involvement in the League she was mentored by a number of older, long -time members. The 1970s was a time of awakening for American women. Many women did not work outside the home but the generations of League women preceding this decade were incredibly intelligent, politically knowledgeable--and locally powerful.
During these Syracuse years, Rosalie was involved extensively in Voter Service and running large candidate forums. This experience taught her that when one plans and oversees an event, one is IN CHARGE no matter what candidate is there.
Rosalie along with her now life-long League friend Mary Jo Fairbanks wrote a publication called A Volunteer Portfolio. This was a step-by-step guide to help women translate the abilities they had developed through volunteer work into resumes and positive interview skills for entering the paid workforce.
Coming to Gainesville
Rosalie moved to Gainesville, Florida in 1980 with her husband and two daughters, Reba and Sheila, and was dismayed at leaving her League career.
Within a month, through a notice in the newspaper, she saw the Local LWV was having their Annual Meeting. Rosalie walked in unannounced and discovered she was home again-- just a different locality. Once again, she met and worked with incredible women who continued to mentor and encourage her and empowered her in her subsequent paid career and numerous other volunteer leadership positions in non-profit organizations.
Rosalie became LWVAC President in 2007 and served two consecutive terms. She was the recipient of the LWVAC Olive Christenson Award in 2012. She received the Elizabeth Cady Stanton/Ida B. Wells Award from the Gainesville Commission on the Status of Women in 2014.
Advice or lessons learned in the League
One lesson is what membership can do for the individual member--one develops organizational, communication and critical thinking skills in the League. Each year brings new issues – or once again issues still not resolved. No matter one’s point in life’s journey, discussing these, researching the pros and cons and then communicating them to others is a valuable skill.
A second lesson is the value of the League itself to the country. There are many non-partisan groups and partisan political groups to which the citizen can turn to for information and truth. There is no other organization like the League of Women Voters which has been dedicated for 104 years to protecting the Right to Vote for every citizen; to promoting Free and Fair Elections; to ensuring the Rights of all inhabitants in the country to the Guarantees of the Constitution; and to explaining impartially and truthfully the issues of the era so that the citizens themselves can make their own decisions.
As the League moves forward into the next 100 years, hopefully women and men will continue to work for the principles of the League of Women Voters.
90th Anniversary of the League in 2010
To celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the League in 2010, all the LWVAC presidents got together. In this group were LWVAC members who had been president of LWVAC as well as LWVAC members who had been presidents of other Leagues. Here is a photo from that event:
League Presidents’ Party, Celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the League. Names and Years as League President: Back row--Crystal Goodison (2006-07), Jeanne Weismantel (1990-93), Barbara Scott (1985-87), Deanye Overman (1976, 2004-05), J. T. Frankenberger (1997-98), Polly Doughty (1979-83), Beverly Hill (1973), Rosalie Bandyopadhyay (2007-11), Jean Chalmers (1994-95), Lynn Frazier (1993-94, and later in 2020-21). Seated—June Girard (Monroe County-- 3 terms in the 80’s, as well as chapters in Illinois in the 60’s and 70’s), Mary Anne Price (guest), Liz Jones (1963-64), Jean Martin (1973-75).
[Many thanks to Jerry Kidder for helping to identify everyone!]
