HELENA

HELENA

Helena LWV Members

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). 

JOIN THE LEAGUE!

You can make a difference in public policies that affect your life and the lives of others. Your annual dues paid to the Helena-Area LWV includes membership in the state and national League.  In February 2025, the LWV launched a new member portal and dues structure that is "pay-what-you-can" with a suggested $75 annual dues ($20 minimum). Visit Join the League to learn more and join or renew online.

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).

PUBLIC AND MEMBER-ONLY EVENTS

Visit the Calendar of Events or go to the LWV Montana homepage 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.

Social Media:

Subscribe to our general public email list.  Members are already subscribed to emails. Stay on top of events, meetings, forums, and rallies.  Subscribers to this list also receive the Helena Area League's Observer Corps reports. 

HELENA AREA LWV OBSERVER CORPS

The Helena Area League’s Observer Corps attends meetings of the Helena School District Board of Trustees, Lewis and Clark County Commission, Helena City Commission, Helena Citizen' Council, and other local government meetings and then write a brief report to share with other members and our community. 

The League has been a champion of openness in government throughout its history. Protecting public access to information is fundamental to the League’s mission and to the health of our democracy.

Local Government Committee Chair Mary "Mickey" Harlow compiles the reports and the Communications Committee publishes the reports twice monthly on this website. Subscribers to our general email list receive these reports (see above).  Read more about the Observer Corps and access the latest reports HERE.

EMPOWERING VOTERS, DEFENDING DEMOCRACY

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. Inform the public about upcoming elections and voting procedures.
  • 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.
  • Teach civics education lessons to high school students and the general public.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • PDF icon Download our list of actions, activities, volunteer tasks, and ways to be involved in the Helena League whether you have a little time or a lot.  

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OUR ESSENTIAL COMMITTEES!

BARB HARRIS STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST

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.

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

2025-2026
LWV Helena Area Board of Directors

  • President: Cherri Jones
  • Vice President: Celeste Jazwinski
  • Treasurer: Connie Griffith
  • Secretary: Denise Pengeroth
  • Ann Gilkey
  • Lynn Hinch
  • Julie Huntington (past Treasurer)
  • Sharon Haugen (past Co-President)

Committees

  • Book Club - Kathy McNeill &  Sue Hoell
  • Civics Ed - Rebecca Johnson
  • Communications & The Voter Editor - Patti Borneman & Becky Piske
  • Health Care - Sue Hoell & Celeste Jazwinski
  • Local Government - Mary "Mickey" Harlow
  • Membership - Wendy Wheeler
  • Nominating - Sue Hoell
  • Program - Mary Johnson & Ann Gilkey
  • VOTE411 - Patrice Anderson & Tracy Donaldson
  • Voter Services - Rebecca Johnson & Savannah Olsen
  • Young Professionals Initiative - Katherine Anderson

CONTACT US

LWV of the Helena Area
P.O. Box 6534
Helena, MT 59604
info [at] lwvhelena.org