The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters gives a detailed history of racism that permeated our society and the League.  The author, Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, will be the keynote speaker at the League State Convention May 22-23.

Jes Davis will lead the discussion. We will discuss the first part of the book May 5 and the second part May 19.

Come join us for a stimulating and insightful discussion—even if you haven’t finished reading the book.  If you would like to borrow a copy, please contact Beth Obenshain.

The book club is part of our League's emphasis on DEI, which became part of League policy at the national, state, and local levels this past year.  “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:  LWVMC is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.”

On February 14, 2020, the League of Women Voters of the United States celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding. Although women of color have always made significant contributions to women's suffrage and the women's movements, their contributions, particularly as they relate to the League of Women Voters (LWV), have been marginalized and relegated to the footnotes of the organization's history. The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters adds a new dimension to these conversations.

The book is structured to show the progression of the relationship between the League of Women Voters and its members of color as manifested in changes to its policies, practices, symbols, and messaging. It begins with the suffrage movement and continues until the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the League and uses actual correspondence, convention minutes, existing League histories, and personal accounts to tell the League story. Chapter titles disclose the philosophical shifts in attitude at each stage of the organization's evolution.

• Celebrates the 100-year history of the League of Women Voters and the contributions of women of color
• Provides an accurate, comprehensive account of history in this grassroots membership organization
• Explores the unique challenges that women of color faced in the United States and in its mainstream organizations
• Argues that the League must learn from the past and make intentional decisions to change for the future to remain relevant in the next phase of its history