League of Women Voters of the Helena Area
The League of Women Voters of the Helena Area (LWVHA) is a non-profit, non-partisan political organization that neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties at any level of government. We work on vital issues of concern to members and the public. We have been active in the Helena Area since 1952. The League has three levels: national, state and local. We are a local league affiliated with the League of Women Voters of Montana (LWVMT) and the League of Women Voters of the U.S. (LWVUS).
PUBLIC AND MEMBER-ONLY EVENTS
Visit the Calendar for the League's events that are open to the public. For Members-Only content that includes a calendar of events and meetings for League members, log into your account. If you need to create an account, click on Register above, and follow the prompts. You will first be in pending status. As soon as your account is activated, you can log in and access the Members-Only page.
WHAT WE DO
The League at all levels encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. We carry out our mission by registering voters, sponsoring candidate forums and advocating in favor or against issues of local interest to the members and the public.
In addition, we:
- Present non-partisan information covering all sides of issues.
- Study issues and developing positions by member consensus.
- Take action based on positions.
- Facilitate informational public meetings and candidate forums.
- Help with voter registration and encourage voter turnout.
- Fund an annual Student Essay Contest with three cash prizes for high school students.
- Make democracy work by promoting participation on boards and councils and interest in running for public office.
Helena: Student Essay Contest
We are pleased to announce the three winners of our Spring 2024 Student Essay Contest! Read their essays here!
We congratulate our high student student essay writers and thank them for participating in the annual essay contest. Permission has been granted to publish these essays on the League of Women Voters of Montana website. Click on their names above to download their essays as a pdf.
If you want to know when the Fall 2024 Student Essay Contest is launched, subscribe to our email list and we'll keep you informed.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW for Helena & Lewis and Clark County
The Local Government Review Study Committee released the following documents in March 2024:
Who We Are
2025-26 Helena Area LWV Board
- Co-president: Sharon Haugen
- Co-president: Cherri Jones
- Treasurer: Connie Griffith
- Secretary: Denise Pengeroth
- Board: Ann Gilkey – at large
- Board: Mary "Mickey" Harlow – at large
- Board: Lynn Hinch - at large
- Board: Julie Huntington - at large (past Treasurer)
- Board: Wendy Wheeler – Membership Committee Chair
- Board: Patti Borneman – Communications Committee Co-Chair and The Voter Editor
- Board: Becky Piske - Communications Committee Co-Chair
- Board: Rebecca Johnson – Voter Services Committee Chair
Join the League!
You can make a difference in public policies that affect your life and the lives of others. Your annual dues of $50 will automatically make you a member of the League at the local, state, and national levels. Spouses are an additional $25. Students are free and scholarships are available to others. Visit Join the League to learn how to become a member. You can join and pay your dues online via Paypal or send a check to the Helena League. At our Donate page, you can make a tax-deductible donation to the LWV Education Fund (501c3) or a non-tax deductible donation to the Action and Advocacy fund (501c4).
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
We are fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in principle and practice. (Read the complete DEI statement of the LWV.)
OUR POSITIONS
The League of Women Voters has formal Positions on issues that have gone through in-depth study, approved by a consensus of League members at our annual business meetings. National issues are addressed in National League Positions, state issues are addressed in State League Positions, and local issues are addressed in Local League Positions.
These Helena Area League Positions have been developed over time and like all League positions, must be kept updated and approved by local League members to remain as formal Positions.
Helena Area League Positions were presented for re-approval by LWVHA members at the Annual Membership Meeting in April 2024.
Download the current LWVHA Positions.
Nonpartisan Policy of the LWVHA
Bylaws of the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area
CONTACT US
LWV of the Helena Area
P.O. Box 6534
Helena, MT 59604
lwv.helena [at] gmail.com
