About the League

League of Women Voters^®
of North Orange County

Introduction. National. State. Regional. Local. Other Leagues.

Introduction

The League of Women Voters of the United States is organized to parallel the three levels of government: local, state, and national. There are over 1000 local Leagues and 50 state Leagues, plus the LWVs of Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In some areas, local Leagues have formed Inter-League Organizations (ILOs) to address regional concerns. The national League and all local and state Leagues are each governed by a volunteer president and board of directors.

National

The League of Women Voters was founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt in response to the passage of the 19th amendment to the Canstitution, which granted equal suffrage to women. Among its accomplishments, the US League has worked hard to improve the legal status of women and the welfare of children; to extend the merit system in the federal civil service; to improve the Food and Drug Act and ather legislation protecting consumers; and to support several measures later embodied in the Social Security Act. The US League championed the reorganization of Congress; civilian control of atomic energy; and Home Rule for the District of Columbia. The League has been devoted to the principle of internatianal cooperation for over 50 years. It has consistently supparted the United Nations and the Trade Agreements Program. The League is concerned about equal opportunities for all citizens in education, employment and housing. Water quality and air quality are other long-standing cancerns of the League.

State

In 1911, when California became the sixth state to grant women the right to vote, women who were interested in participating in politics and civic life foundedthe California Civic League. In 1921 it became California Civic League of Women Voters, and in 1925 the official name became League of Women Voters of Caiifornia. Over the years LWVC has spearheaded efforts to reform campaign finance and the referendum and initiative process. It has sought equitable reapportionment laws and has sponsored senatorial and gubernatorial debates. It regularly publishes election guides on the ballot issues which are praised and saught after by the general public.

Regional

In order to work together on county level problems the four local Leagues in Orange County formed an Inter-League Organization (ILO) called LWV of Orange County. Issues studied have included county government, mental health and medical care for the indigent.

Local

The League of Women Voters of North Orange County dates back to 1957, when the League of Women Voters of Fullerton was formed. Six years later, in 1963, the League of Women Voters of La Habra was formed. In 1984 the smaller La Habra League merged with the Fullerton League. In recognition of the merger, and to give equal status to the four other cities already part of the Fullerton League (Brea, Buena Park, Placentia, Yorba Linda), the two existing Leagues were dissolved and a new League was formed under the name of The League of Women Voters of North Orange County. Click here to see a list of our Board Members and Directors.
In 1967-69 your local League conducted a study of community library' needs that led to the establishment of a new library in Fullerton. It has also worked on such issues as housing, child care, local land use planning and solid waste disposal in the North Orange County area. The League recently presented community forums on Civil Liberties and the No Child Left Behind Act. At election time, LWVNOC moderates candidate forums for city council and school board contests in all six NOC communities. As part of our Voters Service work we conduct non-partisan presentations of the Pros and Cons of the ballot measures.

Other League Organizations

Our North Orange County League is one of four local Leagues in Orange County. The others are:

Capistrano Bay Area
Central Orange County Area
Orange Coast

Our members are also members of:

League of Women Voters of the Orange County (Inter-League of the four Orange County local leagues)
League of Women Voters of California, and
League of Women Voters of the United States.

See other Leagues in California and other state Leagues and local League websites.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: July 22, 2008 19:53 PDT.