Toni Zimmer, LWVUS Board member, Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Trustee of the LWVUS Education Fund and LWVUS board liaison to the LWV-RI was the Providence League’s guest speaker, Monday, September 20, at a Blithewold Tea, held in the tent. The weather was perfect for our first in-person event since the January 6,2020, Centennial Ratification dinner.
Toni Zimmer spoke to members and guests on the Fight to End Voter Suppression and the League’s role in the fight. Currently the State Leagues are involved in over 15 lawsuits either solely or in coalitions with like-minded groups to oppose state laws aimed at suppressing votes, especially those of minorities.
She also talked about navigating our nonpartisan policy when we are living in such hyper-partisan times and Leagues are often seen as supporting a political party, saying “Wanting every eligible voter to have equal access to the ballot box is not partisan. Wanting a robust democracy in which everyone has an equal voice and equal representation is not partisan. Wanting to see more elected officials that reflect the diverse makeup of our country is not partisan – it is real democracy. And it is the direction our country must go.”
After Toni answered questions and comments, there was a short, but difficult. quiz about Women’s history and events. A copy of the LWVUS press release announcing support of the new Senate Voting Rights bill was given to everyone who attended.
