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League of Women Voters celebrates 100th anniversary
by Danielle Puleo danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com
In July of 1919, history was made when Congress passed the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. After marching, lobbying, lecturing and battling a societal stigma, women proved that anything is possible if you believe in it enough.
After achieving what some may say was the most radical change at that time in America, the League of Women Voters was founded on Feb. 14, 1920 to preserve a hard-fought reform. Led by Maud Wood Park, the first national president of the League, members have fought for equal voting rights, led democratic reforms and have spent countless hours serving as educators for the public throughout the country.
In June of 1987, Dare County was officially recognized as a unit of the North Carolina LWV. At that time, the league was composed of members from the town of Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo and unincorporated areas of the county.
In 100 years, the LWV has made a significant impact on Dare County. Fran Kapinos, co-president of LWV Dare, explained that the purpose of the organization is “to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens and government, and to act on selected governmental issues.”
In the time since its inception, the league has brought awareness to offshore drilling, telemedicine, voter services, state constitutional amendments and much more. The LWV has made their presence known in the community and educates the public on a regular basis.
“There’s advocacy for some things like seismic testing that are right here and now issues very germane to our community that we provide more information on,” said Nancy Birindelli, treasurer of the Dare LWV.
The men and women that decided to become LWV members had varying reasons for wanting to join. Birindelli was a government major in college; her small, citizen-activated community found governmental issues and voting rights extremely important. Judy Lotas, co-president, is an activist for the Equal Rights Amendment. Through the League, she had worked tirelessly to educate people on what ERA means and how to get it passed.
James Cofield, LWV vice president for Dare, said he joined because of Lotas; she had invited him to a luncheon. “I have been involved in voter issues for more than 50 years, from voter registration to redistricting issues. It was a good fit,” Cofield said.
The LWV is a non-partisan organization, but finds it crucial to bring awareness to pertinent issues of the region as well as the nation and continue to fight for equal rights. “The fight for women’s rights did not stop when the amendment passed way back when,” Birindelli said.
The Dare League offers a multitude of services and community events to help get everyone willing and able involved. Kapinos explained that the League hosts Voter Registration Day, town candidate forums, ERA presentations and publishes a Citizen’s Guide every year.
The Citizen’s Guide is the League’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Annually, the guide is updated to reflect changes in the county. It includes important contacts and resources in Dare County and 7,000 copies are distributed to local business, restaurants, libraries and town halls.
Earlier this year, members of the league went to each of the six towns in Dare
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First Dare League of Women Voters members.
County to talk about and answer questions on the ERA. “All six towns signed resolutions in support of ERA,” Lotas said. Several members also went to Raleigh to speak on ERA. Surprisingly, a younger age group was present at the event. “We were really impressed that it was a lot of youth,” Kapinos said.
In terms of how the League has grown over the past 100 years, Birindelli said, “One of the biggest things is that the membership has increased and the inclusion of men has made a difference. They are a very important aspect of what we do because they have another voice and it’s important in the community to know that they are with us as members.”
Kapinos added that the League has changed with the culture of the county. “Over the years as issues change, we have programs on those issues that we want to focus on at that time.” Staying relevant has always been a major priority to the League so that their members and the community can have a better understanding of what goes on in the world around them.
“I sometimes think we are the only local voice for particular things, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there in the world,” said Birindelli. “We can offer an opportunity for people to hear unbiased
standpoints.”
The League has always tried to have one main guiding light, which Cofield mentioned: fundamental fairness. Through every meeting, presentation, forum, class and election, the LWV has and always will be there to guide, educate and connect people by standing behind the notion that fairness and truth will lead you to overcome any obstacle. Even amending an entire nation’s constitution.
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Above: Members of the League of Women Voters from Dare County in Washington D.C.
DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO
Left: Dare League of Women Voters Board of Directors members. Shown, from left, are Vice President James Cofield, Co-President Judy Lotas, Appointed Director Marty Hamed, Treasurer Nancy Birindelli and Co-President Fran Kapinos.
