Voting League Marks 103rd Year With Talks At Monmouth Libraries

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — You can learn about the League of Women Voters' history and its efforts today to protect the right to vote at meetings being offered Feb. 14 in Manalapan and Shrewsbury by the Monmouth County Library System.

The League of Women Voters was founded 103 years ago "by the same women who fought to bring women the right to vote," organizers say. And it's fighting for the same rights and improvements to American society now as it did in 1920, they add.

The League of Women Voters of Monmouth County invites the public to attend one of two simultaneous programs at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters – Manalapan and Eastern Branch Monmouth County Library in Shrewsbury, also co-sponsors of the event.

The program is on Feb. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. at both library locations: Manalapan Branch: 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan; Eastern Branch: 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury.

An interactive Zoom version of the same program will be offered live at the same time for those who cannot attend the library meetings.

According to the national organization's website, the League of Women Voters was officially founded in Chicago in 1920, just six months before the 19th amendment was ratified and women won the vote.

"Formed by the suffragists of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, the League began as a 'mighty political experiment.' designed to help 20 million women carry out their new responsibilities as voters," the website says.

As with all LWVMonmouth programs, it will be recorded for people to view later at lwvmonmouth.org if they cannot attend the live program.

Visit bit.ly/lwvat103 to register for the live program.

At the in-person gatherings, the public can meet with current League members to learn about the ways people in Monmouth County can work with the League "to further efforts to safeguard and promote American democracy," organizers say.

The League of Women Voters of Monmouth County was created in August of 2022 from the merger of the county's three existing leagues, to better carry out its "mission of empowering voters and protecting democracy in our county." You can see a previous Patch story for more details on the merged county league.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy, the organization says.

Visit lwvmonmouth.org for more information about the League.