League of Women Voters Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: American Federal Women
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every February 14
Holiday emoji:: 🗳️

League of Women Voters Day, celebrated every February 14, commemorates the founding of this pivotal organization dedicated to empowering voters and defending democracy. For over a century, the League has been a nonpartisan force, advocating for informed and active participation in government. Engage with local chapters, educate yourself on key issues, and register to vote.

Deals
Platforms
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Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Observe

Expected League of Women Voters Day Deals

As a Recognition holiday focused on civic engagement, League of Women Voters Day typically inspires community-driven initiatives rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the League of Women Voters itself, along with partners such as the ACLU and Common Cause, often launch voter registration drives, educational webinars, and fundraising campaigns. Look for local chapters to host events encouraging civic participation. Non-profits focused on women’s empowerment, such as the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the YWCA, may also highlight their efforts in conjunction with the day. We will update this page with confirmed live events and campaigns as February 14 approaches.

Platform Guide for League of Women Voters Day

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #LWVDay. Share key facts about voter rights or historical achievements of the League of Women Voters.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #VoterRights. Highlight the importance of nonpartisan civic engagement in professional networks.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #LeagueOfWomenVoters. Share local chapter events, educational resources, or personal stories of civic participation.

League of Women Voters Day Hero

Carrie Chapman Catt

Carrie Chapman Catt (1859–1947) was a prominent American women's suffrage leader who campaigned for the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave U.S. women the right to vote in 1920. She founded the League of Women Voters in 1920, transforming the National American Woman Suffrage Association into an organization dedicated to educating women voters and advocating for public policy. Her strategic leadership was crucial in securing women's voting rights and establishing a lasting legacy of civic engagement.

History of League of Women Voters Day

The League of Women Voters was created on February 14, 1920, through a merger of two organizations: the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and the National Council of Women Voters (N.C.W.V.). In 1909, the woman popularly known as ‘the mother of women’s suffrage,’ Emma Smith DeVoe, proposed that a separate organization be created from NAWSA to educate women on the election process and create awareness about women’s issues. Her proposal was ignored, and in 1911, she created the National Council of Women Voters.

Carrie Chapman Catt, the president of the NAWSA at the time, was worried that some of DeVoe’s ideas might discourage conservative women from joining the movement, and so she proposed a merger of the two organizations. At the 1919 NAWSA convention, a motion was made towards this end, and by January 6, 1920, the merger was complete.

At first, the National League of Women Voters only operated as a committee of NAWSA, but that changed after a formal organization of the league was drafted at the 1920 NAWSA convention. The group was one of the first to receive status as an N.G.O. with the United Nations.

The league used to be exclusively for women, but men were allowed to join in 1973 when the league’s charter was modified. Over the years, the league has worked to expand voter access, educate voters, and fight voter suppression. They run VOTE411.org, a bilingual website that gives voters information about elections and candidates tailored to their location.

Today, the league has over 500,000 members and supporters with over 700 state and local leagues across the United States. The league has sponsored presidential debates in the past, and in 2012, they created National Voter Registration Day.

League of Women Voters Day timeline

1847

The Education Fund is Created

The league creates an education fund to encourage citizens’ active participation in government and to educate people about major public policy issues.

1945

The League Becomes U.N. N.G.O. Observer

The league is one of the first organizations to be officially recognized as a non-governmental organization by the U.N. and granted official observer status.

1976

The League Wins an Emmy

The League of Women Voters receives an Emmy Award for an Outstanding Achievement in Broadcast Journalism after sponsoring the first televised presidential debate.

2006

VOTE411 is Launched

The League of Women Voters launches a one-stop-shop website for election-related information called VOTE411.

How Businesses Can Celebrate League of Women Voters Day

Local businesses can honor League of Women Voters Day by encouraging civic participation among their employees and customers. Consider hosting a nonpartisan voter registration drive on-site or distributing educational materials about upcoming elections. Partner with local chapters of the League of Women Voters to amplify their message and support their advocacy efforts. Businesses can also highlight the importance of informed voting through social media campaigns, using the day as an opportunity to promote responsible citizenship.

League of Women Voters Day FAQs

When is League of Women Voters Day?

In 2027, League of Women Voters Day is observed on Sunday, February 14, providing a weekend for individuals to engage with civic education and voter empowerment initiatives.

How many people are members of the League of Women Voters?

With over 500 local and state leagues, the organization continues to grow its reach, mobilizing a significant number of volunteers and activists. Their collective efforts impact millions of voters annually.

What is the primary mission of the League of Women Voters?

Building on its original goal of women’s suffrage, the League today focuses on ensuring every citizen has the knowledge and opportunity to participate in elections, advocating for policies that make voting accessible and fair.

Is the League of Women Voters a partisan organization?

The organization maintains a proud tradition of nonpartisanship, providing unbiased information and advocating for policies that strengthen democracy, rather than endorsing specific political outcomes or affiliations.

How to Observe League of Women Voters Day

Volunteer your time
There are many ways to support the League of Women Voters in their campaign for voting rights. From joining the volunteers on National Voter Registration Day to simply signing any of their petitions, you can help out and continue the fight for voting rights.
Register to vote
What better way to celebrate League of Women Voters Day than by honoring their work? The struggle for voting rights begins with more people becoming registered voters and active participants in public policymaking and the election process.
Donate some money
League of Women Voters Day is the perfect day to whip out your bank card. You can make a one-time contribution or commit to a monthly donation to help the league in its work of protecting our democratic rights.

5 Important Facts About The Women’s Suffrage Movement

A woman ran before women could vote
In 1872, over 50 years before the 19th Amendment was passed, Victoria Woodhull ran for U.S. president with backing from the Equal Rights Party.
The movement inspired a fashion trend
In 1851, Elizabeth Smith Miller debuted a radical new look called the ‘bloomer,’ which became synonymous with the women’s rights movement.
Some women voted illegally
From 1868 to 1872, several women, including Susan B. Anthony, went to the polls to vote illegally.
Single women could vote in 1797
The original New Jersey constitution gave anyone worth £50 the right to vote and since married women’s property was legally controlled by their husbands, only single women could vote until 1807.
Allies helped
Since only men could actually vote on whether women’s suffrage could be granted, male allies helped, especially in Colorado, New York, and Oklahoma.

Why League of Women Voters Day is Important

Anyone can participate
Male or female, young or old, Democrat or Republican, anyone can celebrate League of Women Voters Day. The struggle for true democracy does not care about our differences. As long as you believe in free, fair, and accessible elections, League of Women Voters Day is for you.
We love democracy
Of the different systems of government, democracy is definitely our favorite. We love the idea of people having the right to choose who leads them and what decisions are made for them. Democracy is the foundation of a just future.
More people need to vote
Only 66.1% of the U.S. eligible voter population voted in the 2020 Presidential Election. For context, that means that 82 million Americans did not exercise their democratic rights. Voting needs to be made more accessible and more people need to be educated about the importance of active participation in the election process.