100 Years Ago: Illinois League of Women Voters Leader Visits Alton

Emily Taft coordinated plans for Alton women to attend the upcoming national convention in St. Louis.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:15pm

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In March 1926, Emily Taft, the field secretary for the Illinois League of Women Voters, visited Alton, Illinois, to meet with local women and coordinate their plans to attend the upcoming national convention of the League of Women Voters in St. Louis. Many Alton women were members of the state organization and planned to attend the national event.

Why it matters

The visit by Taft highlights the growing influence and organization of the League of Women Voters in the years following the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote nationwide. The national convention in St. Louis was an important event that brought together women leaders from across the country to discuss issues and coordinate civic engagement efforts.

The details

During her visit, Taft met with a number of Alton women to discuss the purpose and activities of the League of Women Voters. The organization's goal was to "educate women in the state of citizenship" and encourage them to "base their vote on facts and not on hearsay." Taft's visit was intended to help the Alton women coordinate their plans to attend the upcoming national convention in St. Louis, which was scheduled for April 14-21, 1926.

  • Emily Taft visited Alton on March 31, 1926.
  • The national convention of the League of Women Voters was scheduled for April 14-21, 1926 in St. Louis.

The players

Emily Taft

The field secretary for the Illinois League of Women Voters who visited Alton in 1926 to coordinate plans for the upcoming national convention in St. Louis.

League of Women Voters

A nonpartisan civic organization that works to educate and engage citizens in the democratic process.

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What they’re saying

“The purpose of the League is to educate women in the state of citizenship, and membership is open to all women from every political party who realize they ought to base their vote on facts and not on hearsay.”

— Emily Taft, Field Secretary, Illinois League of Women Voters

“The national convention of the League of Women Voters has brought to St. Louis this week a body of intelligent, earnest women, leaders in their communities, who realize their responsibilities as citizens. Their organization is performing a useful service. Many of its members, having helped to get the ballot, are centering the organization's activities on the task of educating women to use it. They are concerned with measures rather than with individual candidates.”

— Anonymous

The takeaway

The visit by Emily Taft to Alton in 1926 demonstrates the growing influence and organization of the League of Women Voters in the years following women's suffrage. The national convention in St. Louis brought together women leaders from across the country to coordinate civic engagement efforts and educate women on using their newly won right to vote.