The 32nd Annual Democracy In Action will honor housing and community advocate, Rev. John Edgar on May 9, 2024. Click here for more details.
Democracy In Action (DIA) is the premier event of the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus. Recipients of the Democracy In Action Award are recognized for outstanding participation in civic affairs. Recipients are not necessarily members of the League, but they embody, as does the League, a strong belief that our democratic system of government works best when citizens are active and informed. Democracy In Action Award winners demonstrate a long-term commitment to and zeal for increasing the level of political activism and knowledge within the community.
The Democracy in Action Award has been given by the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus yearly since 1992 to a person, persons, or organization in recognition of their outstanding participation in civic affairs and service to the community. Recipients include: Mary Lazarus, John Fisher, Chuck White and WBNS-10TV, Herb Asher, JoAnn Davidson, Robert Duncan, Bob & Dorothy Teater, Cynthia Cecil Lazarus, Rev. Leon Troy, Fred Andrle, Mike Curtain, Matt Habash, Senator John and Annie Glenn, Betty Montgomery, Yvette McGee Brown, Joseph Mas, Columbus Metro Parks, the Statehouse News Bureau, Sara Neikirk, Justice Thomas Moyer, Hugh Dorrian, Janet Jackson, Amy Klaben, Fran Ryan and Ted Celeste.
The Award ceremony provides the opportunity to come together with friends, supporters, and community leaders to recognize outstanding individuals and groups. It is also a public recognition of the importance of active citizenship. Finally, funds raised from this event help to continue the important work of the League in central Ohio: providing reliable non-partisan voter information, citizen education, and protection of voter rights.
Funds raised from the Democracy In Action Award event support the mission of the League of Women Voters in central Ohio, to promote the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influence public policy through education and advocacy. Sponsor support ensures the continuation of the League’s vital services, including the Voter Information Bulletin; the League's informative web and social media sites that contain timely information on civic participation; meet-the-candidates events; educational events and public forums; and advocacy for open government and voter protection.