Valentine’s Day is coming up, and did you know that February 14 is also the birthday of the League of Women Voters?  We are 106 years old – founded after passage of the 19th amendment giving women, at long last, the right to vote.  The suffragettes faced hardship and ridicule in their long struggle. We reap the rewards for their supreme efforts.

     To celebrate and remember these courageous women, I am inviting you to attend the Broadway Production of Suffs now at Playhouse Square in Cleveland with the League.  The League has secured special pricing for the 1 pm matinee on February 15.  Call Max at 216 640 8685 for tickets and be sure to say you are with the League of Women Voters Akron Area.  

     Are you still wanting TO DO SOMETHING to protect our democracy? We are starting with Ohio elections this year. Do take the time to listen to the excellent presentation by Rachel Coyle recorded at our Members and Friends Celebration on February 24. I highly recommend it!  You will not be disappointed but will be encouraged and fortified to make a difference this year. Find the Link below. 

Finally, I would like to remind us of the following about the League: 

The League is a political grassroots network and membership organization that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue. For more than a century, we’ve worked to empower voters and defend democracy. As a women-led organization, we encourage everyone to take part in our democracy. 

     The League promotes an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive. We encourage electoral methods that provide the broadest voter representation possible and are expressive of voter choices. 

        We belong to an amazing democracy defending organization. Thank you all for participating with us and we look forward to meeting you at an event soon. 

Mary Robbins 
President, LWVAA 

Contents in Newsletter

Now for Some Fun

Upcoming Events

In the News

LWVAA in Action

Advocacy 

Membership

Voter Services

Looking Ahead

NOW FOR SOME FUN

Suffs is coming to Playhouse Square in Cleveland! 

Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. 

Attend the matinee performance of Suffs with our League on Feb. 15 at 1:00pm and support LWV of the Akron Area!

Use your League-specific promo code listed below when purchasing tickets, and $10.00 from each ticket will be donated. Your purchase directly supports the League's mission to empower voters and protect democracy.

You'll also unlock exclusive discounted pricing, with tickets ranging from $37.50 to $112.50 (regularly $46.80 to $129.00). 

Order your tickets HERE. (Use Promo Code: AKRONLWV)

Democracy performs best when voters are actively engaged, have accurate information and access to the ballot.

All-Member Meeting

Saturday, February 14

981 West Market St, Akron Ohio 44313 *

(former church on corner of W. Market and N. Rose Blvd)

This year, we review national positions and priorities. The goal of the Positions & Priorities process is to achieve collective agreement among all Leagues about how LWV will move the organization’s mission forward. We’ll share brief but important information about the League’s national positions, and then together, we'll plan our local grassroots work for 2026.

*Parking and entrance at the rear of the building.  Parking is also available on surrounding streets.

Register HERE

 NO KINGS 

Saturday, March 28 

LWVUS is joining No Kings as a national partner!!

Mark your calendar and watch for information about events in the Akron area.

Property Taxes are valuable: This is Governor DeWine's warning about how the lack of property taxes would impact and hurt Ohioans. 

For more information: HERE 

Show of support: Ohio lawmakers heard sobering testimony on Tuesday from advocates backing House Bill 524, to protect vulnerable Ohioans from artificial intelligence chatbots that encourage self-harm or harm to others.  For more information.   Read more here.. 

Rule rescinded: The Ohio Ethics Commission halted a rule requiring certain officials overseeing charter schools to file financial disclosures, after pressure from legislative leadership, Senate President Rob McColley, the lieutenant governor candidate with Vivek Ramaswamy, and House Speaker Matt Huffman.  For more information:   Read more here.. 

On Saturday, February 7, LWVAA Voter Services staffed an information table at the Family Reading Festival at Akron-Summit County Main Library.  The goal was to educate parents on their access to vote including changes in Ohio voting laws, while their children engaged in reading-related activities

Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle (online)

Wednesday, February 11 at 6pm

Professor Justin Levitt from Loyola Law School, a national expert on redistricting and director of the website All About Redistricting will discuss developments in the national mid-cycle redistricting war, with the latest updates on which states are involved, legal challenges, and likely seat counts.

Register HERE 

"There is incredible power at the state and local levels. We will defend freedom from the ground up.” - Rachel Coyle

Rachel Coyle, the guest speaker at our Annual Members and Friends event on January 24, gave an empowering presentation. She took a deep dive into how things work at the Ohio Statehouse and introduced tools and resources to assist us in advocating for ourselves, our families and our community. For the video recording, go HERE

Rachel is the Co-Founder of How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse and is Policy Director at Honesty for Ohio Education and Programs Director at Ohioans Against Extremism.

TAKE ACTION!

LWVUS Actions:  

1.) Tell Your Elected Officials Federal Immigration Enforcement Has Gone Too Far

For months, communities across the country, in Minnesota and beyond, have lived in terror as federal immigration enforcement agents have patrolled, surveilled, detained, disappeared, injured, and killed civilians, as well as denied people’s constitutional rights by attacking and arresting peaceful protestors.

It is time for all of us to stand up, speak out, and demand an end to these heinous actions. 

• Send a message to Congress that Federal Immigration Has Gone Too Far HERE
• Call your House member or senator on the Congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to speak with staff or leave a message.

2.) Tell Your Senators to Oppose the SAVE Act 

This alert is from last year but with threats of the SAVE Act returning, this action is unfortunately relevant again. Go HERE to take action.

Letters to the Editor

LWVAA members share their views on current issues: 

Congress needs to defend its powers from Trump moves by Sian Petz

The opinions of LWVAA members do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the League of Women Voters.

LWVAA Members are Volunteering at the Foodbank!

Membership Committee Member Michele Root has been coordinating our trips to the Akron-Canton Foodbank to help in the Food Bank’s pantry.  As pantry volunteers, we assist eligible community members select and pack fresh, frozen and canned food that’s available on the particular day they visit. 

We intend to coordinate visits to the Food Bank and other community agencies, where possible, to get better acquainted with our community and to enhance the positive perception of the League. 

On Friday, February 13 LWVAA members will staff a table at the Akron Jewish Center on White Pond for an event targeted to 8-12th graders sponsored by the Summit County Historical Society.  We hope to register eligible students and engage all students with activities in order to help them understand their opportunities as good citizens and build enthusiasm for civic participation.

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