The League of Women Voters is an organization whose members have fought since 1920 to improve our government and engage all Americans in the decisions that impact their lives. We operate at national, state, and local levels through more than 800 state and local Leagues, in all 50 states as well as in DC, the Virgin Islands, and Hong Kong. We never endorse or oppose political parties or candidates, but we do take an active role in assisting the general public in becoming better informed participants in our democracy.
Formed from the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the centerpiece of the League’s efforts is the expansion of participation in governance by all Americans. We do this at local, state and national levels of government, engaging in both broad educational efforts as well as advocacy. The issues we focus on are grounded in our respected history of seeking to make democracy work for each and every American citizen.
League of Women Voters of Carrollton/Carroll County:
The Carrollton League of Women Voters was constituted in March of 1961 as a provisional league. Mrs. Emory Holland was the first president and Mrs. Better Benson was the state consultant. Included among the charter members were Miss Margaret Sample, Miss Elizabeth Parker, Mrs. Ted Hirsch, Miss Iris Jones, Miss Katie Downs, and others representing both Carrollton and West Georgia College (now University of West Georgia). In 1961, a focal study item was education in the local schools. This became a continuing item, and led to the publication of a booklet in 1964 entitled Let’s Take a Look at Carrollton and Carroll County Schools. Reportedly, ninety dollars was spent on this enterprise.
In 1961, when Mrs. Elizabeth Reynolds Cobb Boyd (wife of then West Georgia College president Dr. James Boyd) served as its president, the Carrollton League had two units. The annual meeting that year was held in the Civic Room of the old Carrollton Hotel.
During the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National League, the Carrollton League was cited by the local newspaper as “a bulwark of good government for eight years in Carrollton.”
In 1971, the Carrollton League published a very useful booklet, Carrollton, A Guide to City Government.
Several League members have distinguished themselves over the years. Mrs. Elizabeth Boyd was elected to Who’s Who in American Politics. Mrs. Celia England served on the State Board and as Voter Editor. Miriam Merrell became the first woman to be elected to the Carrollton City Council. In 1983, Lee Wash served as state President of the League of Women Voters Georgia. Martha Anne Saunders and Ruth Strausser also served as President of the League of Women Voters Georgia. State League board members from the LWVCC include: Annelle Colevins, Robin Collins, Georgia Simons, Lucy Garmon, Linda Wagner, Clara Shirey. Nellie Duke is a Charter Member and served as Chairperson for the Georgia Commission on Women from 1994-2016.
In 1974, the Carrollton League was awarded the Eleonore Raoul Award for Excellence for its significant contributions to the community.
The League of Women Voters of Carrollton/Carroll County (LWVCCC) continues to serve the community by publishing an annual Political Directory for the county. This guide lists contact information for persons serving in public office at federal, state, and local levels as well as numbers to call for various community resources and agencies. The LWVCCC also operates an Observer Corps to monitor election board meetings, hosts candidate forums during election seasons, and organizes monthly educational meetings to inform its members and the public about topics of interest.
The LWVCCC annually awards the Lee Wash undergraduate and the Lucille Garmon graduate scholarships for deserving University of West Georgia students in Political Science Department programs of study.