Celebrating 100 years of empowering voters, defending democracy

The League of Woman Voters is a national non-partisan political organization which grew out of the National Women's Suffrage Movement. The League of Women Voters U.S. began in Chicago on Feb. 14, 1920. Our local branch, League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford, was established in 1922.

This year we celebrate our 100th anniversary.

For 100 years, we have been committed to our mission statement: Empowering voters. Defending democracy.

In the spirit of our mission, we cannot be silent about the very real threats to our democracy. Now, more than ever, the threats are homegrown rather than foreign. Now, more than ever, we must use our voices and our actions to defend our democratic process.

More: League of Women Voters: Join us in observing National Voter Registration Day

The LWVGR condemns the violent actions of Jan. 6, 2021, which attempted to subvert democracy by stopping the election certification process. We call out those who would have us believe our voting system is rigged, and we remind voters that, despite repeated challenges, our election system has proven fair and objective.

We challenge voter suppression laws because those who seek to suppress the vote attack the very pillar of democracy. We accept that protest and dissent are part of the fabric of our country’s history, but we are appalled by the viciousness and incivility of entrenched partisanship.

Democracy does not belong to one party or another; we are one nation.

As League members, we envision a country where elections are free, fair, and accessible to all eligible voters. We will continue to encourage informed and active civic engagement. We will work to increase understanding of major public policy issues.

By what we challenge and by what we promote, the League will continue to empower voters and to defend democracy.

Carol Davies is the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford's voter services chair.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Celebrating 100 years of empowering voters, defending democracy